I was having electrical issues (battery saver mode activated, charging system failure) with my 2005 Chevrolet Uplander and upon searching the internet I found literally 1000’s of posts from people with the exact same issues! Numerous people were taking their vans to mechanics only to find zero mechanical issues. People were even going as far as replacing the alternator!
With zero option to go to a mechanic, my Husband ( not a mechanic, yet very savvy with vehicles) noticed the the BATTERY TERMINALS were unlike any he had seen before. They were highly corroded and after a good cleaning, my van ran fine for an entire day.. The next morning however, My van was completely dead. It woud usually “try” to start. The interior lights worked fine but upon ignition, the engine would only click and the gauges would flicker up and down. He then said it had to be something with those terminals.
The next day he bought new battery terminals ($15) and a new battery ($110), (the daily jump starting had worn mine down) and now my van is completely fixed!!!!
I really hope this helps those who are having issues with their 2005 – 2008 Chevy Uplanders!
5 Answers
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It takes approximately 9.5 volts to start a car. If you hear a clicking sound, your battery is not putting out enough voltage. Your radio, headlights, etc., will all work, so you will think that your problem is your starter. NOT SO. Either you have a weak battery which need charging, or the most likely culprit are your battery cables. Most people will look at their cables and if they LOOK clean, and don’t see any white corrosion build up on the terminals, they believe the battery terminals are making a good contact. Once again – NOT SO. Those terminals and cables are lead. Lead is a shiny metal. Scrap the top of a battery terminal and it will shine. That darkness on the terminal you sc ɾąքҽ d off is also present between you battery terminal and cable, and will prevent a good contact. All it needs is to cause a drop in voltage to your starter and you will hear a clicking sound from the starter. The clicking noise is the solenoid in your starter, so most people believe you need a new starter. In my 55 years of working on cars, about 80% of the time the problem is your battery cables. They may look clean, but it doesn’t take much to drop the voltage going to your starter, which will also cause the clicking noise. So before you run out and purchase a starter, clean those terminals.
Get a good battery terminal and cable cleaner at your auto parts store. The type with the wires inside that will really make those terminals and cables shine. Once you have cleaned them, your battery will put out max voltage. If you still hear the clicking sound, take your battery to an auto parts store and they will check it. It may not be holding a charge or you may have a dead cell. However, DO NOT try and clean your battery terminals with Baking Soda or Coca Cola. I’ve worked on cars for over 55 years and all that does is clean the OUTSIDE of the terminals – NOT the connection between the cable and terminal.
So many people run out and buy a new starter or battery when it is really the connection itself.
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