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Tell me you Avalanche quirks, I'll start

LauraWilliams

New Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2022
Messages
3
2003 had 99k miles when I got her 3 years ago, now 154k.
First dash would completely go dead when driving but everything else good....it fixed it self.
Second ever consistent engine light for fuel codes, all benn run through and fixed, still lights everyone and then so I guess she is super picky on fuel.
Key f.o.b. don't work and the passenger door says it's locked when not and unlocked when locked.
Seems windows would freeze up on middle of July.
I love my truck even with it Chev issues 😆
 
245k on my 02 Z71 (with brand spanking rebuilt/upgraded trans)


Some dashlights are out.
Rear drivers side window motor is slow as molasses.
Lots of warning lights on (ABS, e-brake, service engine, etc)..although it runs just fine. Meh.
Upper bed cladding faded. (need to paint it)
E-break is in-op, everything rotted off including those damn factory backing plates.
Brakes are spongey ( all new brakes calipers, etc) Probably needing a master.
Front headlight lenses are fogged up bad, can't barely see at night even with highbeams on.
Lots of rattles on rough roads. Meh.
Smells like pipe tobacco. Good for me, :)

It's shame they didn't make the AV's with an optional manual 5 speed.
 
About once a month I'll start the truck and it will die when I move the gear selector, and I get the message 'Service Theft Deterrent System'.. Turning the key again starts the truck immediately without further issue. Guessing issues with the ignition switch but it hasn't bothered me enough to diagnose further yet.. I should probably do that before it leaves me stranded..
 
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got my 05 Z71 about 6 months ago.

First, the stuff that has either already been dealt with or doesn't bother me:
Frame was rotted out when we (my dad and I as it is technically in his name for me to drive) bought it but being a diesel big rig mechanic and a MIG welder fixed that problem. Every once and a while, the "Service 4WD" message pops up on the driver info but can easily be ignored by hitting the enter button on the dash. Steering fluid was leaking out the hydro boost but again, that was fixed. Water pump went out about a month after I started driving it. Turns out previous owner must have taken it to a shady shop where they put the wrong material gasket on the water pump and the gasket eroded away.

Now to the main problem that annoys me:
Every once and a while, when going to start the vehicle up, the driver information center thing in the dash freaks out and starts changing the language without me hitting the buttons. This is doubly frustrating by the fact that the buttons on driver info center switch only work sometimes and its random when they will and wont work.

Other than this problem, I love this truck to death. But the problem happens so infrequently that, while I get really angry when it happens, I learned to just put up with it.

EDIT: also, only dash gauge in the cluster that is still fully lit up at night is the coolant temp. All the other gauges in the cluster have like 1-3 lights out
 
got my 05 Z71 about 6 months ago.

First, the stuff that has either already been dealt with or doesn't bother me:
Frame was rotted out when we (my dad and I as it is technically in his name for me to drive) bought it but being a diesel big rig mechanic and a MIG welder fixed that problem. Every once and a while, the "Service 4WD" message pops up on the driver info but can easily be ignored by hitting the enter button on the dash. Steering fluid was leaking out the hydro boost but again, that was fixed. Water pump went out about a month after I started driving it. Turns out previous owner must have taken it to a shady shop where they put the wrong material gasket on the water pump and the gasket eroded away.

Now to the main problem that annoys me:
Every once and a while, when going to start the vehicle up, the driver information center thing in the dash freaks out and starts changing the language without me hitting the buttons. This is doubly frustrating by the fact that the buttons on driver info center switch only work sometimes and its random when they will and wont work.

Other than this problem, I love this truck to death. But the problem happens so infrequently that, while I get really angry when it happens, I learned to just put up with it.

EDIT: also, only dash gauge in the cluster that is still fully lit up at night is the coolant temp. All the other gauges in the cluster have like 1-3 lights out
My '04 too has dash issues (display goes bananas periodically, when it actually displays), and the PRNDL can't be seen unless the sun hits it at the perfect angle... I figure sometime in the future, I'll remove the inst. panel and send it in for a rebuild.. My brother did this w/ his '04 Silverado, and stated
1) Our issues are quite common with this vintage GM truck
2) it was well worth the around $100.

For me it less of a budget issue, but more of when I decide to do it issue.
 
Yeah. That sounds similar to the problem I had with my ol' 02 tahoe where the PRNDL (which also doubled as your odometer because it was the older interior) wouldn't appear unless you beat on the instrument cluster really hard. When I got it into school one day (as I go to a mechanic school), we pulled it and figured out the resistors for the screen were becoming loose. Soldered them back up and it worked perfectly until it got wrecked. As for my Avy, the lighting of the gauges doesn't bother me so much so because I can still relatively see the important stuff (speedo, tach, odometer) but the language setting thing really frustrates me. And I think its more a connection with the switches freaking out rather than something in the instrument cluster.
 
Yeah. That sounds similar to the problem I had with my ol' 02 tahoe where the PRNDL (which also doubled as your odometer because it was the older interior) wouldn't appear unless you beat on the instrument cluster really hard. When I got it into school one day (as I go to a mechanic school), we pulled it and figured out the resistors for the screen were becoming loose. Soldered them back up and it worked perfectly until it got wrecked. As for my Avy, the lighting of the gauges doesn't bother me so much so because I can still relatively see the important stuff (speedo, tach, odometer) but the language setting thing really frustrates me. And I think its more a connection with the switches freaking out rather than something in the instrument cluster.
Comically these issues frustrate me also, However my Plain Jane '09 F150 XL doesn't have all of these "fancy" displays available. And I don't miss them..
 
My '04 too has dash issues (display goes bananas periodically, when it actually displays), and the PRNDL can't be seen unless the sun hits it at the perfect angle... I figure sometime in the future, I'll remove the inst. panel and send it in for a rebuild.. My brother did this w/ his '04 Silverado, and stated
1) Our issues are quite common with this vintage GM truck
2) it was well worth the around $100.

For me it less of a budget issue, but more of when I decide to do it issue.
getting my gauges rebuilt was one of the best $100 i have spent on it so far!! it brought all the gauges back to life (except oil pressure, but the sensor will get replaced next), and all the lights work again. i also had them change it over to LED's while they had it.
 
getting my gauges rebuilt was one of the best $100 i have spent on it so far!! it brought all the gauges back to life (except oil pressure, but the sensor will get replaced next), and all the lights work again. i also had them change it over to LED's while they had it.
Thanx for the insight
 
Tailgate doesn't lock all the time haha. If I ever get around to replacing the lock I would figure out how to do tool box auto locks.
 
Tailgate doesn't lock all the time haha. If I ever get around to replacing the lock I would figure out how to do tool box auto locks.
I cannot describe the mechanism, but if you remove the tailgate handle, it is pretty obvious / simple how the lock works, you may just see that all is needed is a slight bend / tweak.
 
Bright high beams come on when using right turn signal, radio is dead for first 5 min in hot weather, first 10-15 min in cool weather. Right rear side compartment lids swings open at highway speeds, even if securely locked, Instrument cluster give false "brake booster" message every start up, right rear window does not work, tailgate will sometimes lock with keys, sometimes not. A/C will spontaneously blow hot air on drivers side while passenger side is icy cold.

My truck is possessed. If anyone has ideas/solutions for the radio or AC - PLEASE let me know, thanks., I can live with the rest of the issues.
 
Bright high beams come on when using right turn signal, radio is dead for first 5 min in hot weather, first 10-15 min in cool weather. Right rear side compartment lids swings open at highway speeds, even if securely locked, Instrument cluster give false "brake booster" message every start up, right rear window does not work, tailgate will sometimes lock with keys, sometimes not. A/C will spontaneously blow hot air on drivers side while passenger side is icy cold.

My truck is possessed. If anyone has ideas/solutions for the radio or AC - PLEASE let me know, thanks., I can live with the rest of the issues.
Good day, did you ever find out about your right blinker activation making your high beams come on, I have the same issue on my 05? Thank you in advance!
 
Sometimes when I go to adjust my side mirrors (which don't always work at all), they fold up. I think my contacts, switches need cleaning, replacing. My wind deflector does not fold back down to allow my sunroof to close all the way. I have to stop it just before, put my finger on the deflector and press it down a little, then at the same time, close the sunroff the rest of the way. Im sure theres a broken bit on the deflector, or track. I just dont use it that much to fix it.
 
Sometimes when I go to adjust my side mirrors (which don't always work at all), they fold up. I think my contacts, switches need cleaning, replacing. My wind deflector does not fold back down to allow my sunroof to close all the way. I have to stop it just before, put my finger on the deflector and press it down a little, then at the same time, close the sunroff the rest of the way. Im sure theres a broken bit on the deflector, or track. I just dont use it that much to fix it.
the plastic arms of the deflector are what the sunroof glass presses against to fold the deflector down. one of mine is broke, so I'm relying on just the other one right now. there are posts on here of how guys have repaired them. the arms are not available to purchase on their own, GM only sells the whole sunroof assembly, which is like $1000 if i remember correctly.
 
the plastic arms of the deflector are what the sunroof glass presses against to fold the deflector down. one of mine is broke, so I'm relying on just the other one right now. there are posts on here of how guys have repaired them. the arms are not available to purchase on their own, GM only sells the whole sunroof assembly, which is like $1000 if i remember correctly.
Thanks for the info Street Rod! This will save me some time trying to find the part. Maybe a junk yard? Or..I'll make shift something. Or...just keep using the manual method!
 
here are a couple links to threads that explain the fix. i have not done it, but i plan to... sometime! haha



 
About once a month I'll start the truck and it will die when I move the gear selector, and I get the message 'Service Theft Deterrent System'.. Turning the key again starts the truck immediately without further issue. Guessing issues with the ignition switch but it hasn't bothered me enough to diagnose further yet.. I should probably do that before it leaves me stranded..
Update. I figured out the quirk! It only happens if I put the key in the ignition and immediately turn it to start in one swift motion. If I put the key in and wait 0.5s seconds for the ignition to recognize the key before starting there is no issue. I guess I'm just in too much of a hurry sometimes.
 
Good day, did you ever find out about your right blinker activation making your high beams come on, I have the same issue on my 05? Thank you in advance!
Unfortuntly, no. The truck has more pressing issues I am dealing with. The high light beam thing is more of a nusicence to me. I just don't want people to think I am flashing them and end up in road rage situation.
 
Unfortuntly, no. The truck has more pressing issues I am dealing with. The high light beam thing is more of a nusicence to me. I just don't want people to think I am flashing them and end up in road rage situation.

Good day, did you ever find out about your right blinker activation making your high beams come on, I have the same issue on my 05? Thank you in advance!

I would think that since the high beam/flash and turn signal are activated using the same control that would be a good place to start. Maybe the contacts are bad or corroded, or some wires are worn/touching, etc.

I would also check the Inline Connector (6) (see image below) just to be sure it has clean terminals and it is connected properly.

1657850344759.png








FIGURE Headamp/DRL Controls(c)

1657849730380.png
 
03 avy, 256k, bought at 125k 7 years ago. Good old truck. Selector trans light out, oil pressure gauge maxed, temp gauge fluctuates, slide heater control panel light out. Truck has slow leak. Trusted mechanic states rear seal bad. Uses 2 qts + every 4k miles between change. Shocks replaced, brakes, cruise control, belts, oil pan, valve cover gaskets replaced, hub bearing replaced,headlamps replaced but connecting tab on radiator shroud broke and nothing to clip lamp to,(duck tape is great) replaced water pump, fuel pump, wiper motor. Wow. Didn't realize what all had been done in 7 years. I'm going to keep driving it. I'm old and can't afford to buy or trade. Should I have seal replaced. 1100 big ones or just keep driving? Any info or elaboration will be welcome. They're built to last but with any 20 yr. Old rig, gotta spend to win.
 
03 avy, 256k, bought at 125k 7 years ago. Good old truck. Selector trans light out, oil pressure gauge maxed, temp gauge fluctuates, slide heater control panel light out. Truck has slow leak. Trusted mechanic states rear seal bad. Uses 2 qts + every 4k miles between change. Shocks replaced, brakes, cruise control, belts, oil pan, valve cover gaskets replaced, hub bearing replaced,headlamps replaced but connecting tab on radiator shroud broke and nothing to clip lamp to,(duck tape is great) replaced water pump, fuel pump, wiper motor. Wow. Didn't realize what all had been done in 7 years. I'm going to keep driving it. I'm old and can't afford to buy or trade. Should I have seal replaced. 1100 big ones or just keep driving? Any info or elaboration will be welcome. They're built to last but with any 20 yr. Old rig, gotta spend to win.

A lot cheaper than a new truck that's for certain. And, you have an Avalanche, can't go wrong with that!

I would try Bar's rear main seal fix or some other brand that you research and trust. Goes directly in oil, I've used Bar's with success.
 
2005 drivers side low beam works when it wants to. High beam works normal. I can begin to remove housing and it will start working just from moving it around. I have smacked it with my hand without taking it out and it comes on. In a couple of days it refuses to come back on. Rinse and repeat. All the head light to bulb connections look burnt in places so I’m wondering if this is a common problem? I gave up on the drl’s so when they burnt out for the umpteenth time I stopped replacing them. Could I have a bad low beam bulb connector?
 
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