Six problems related to battery cable have been reported for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The battery cables leak acid, . When the battery becomes corroded, there is no power to the vehicle. The dealer has told me that the battery cables are bad, which we have replaced, and the problem continues. We have had the batteries (replaced more than one) checked, and they are fine. We have had the posts replaced, and the problem gets worse. The latest, (im stranded right now) seems to be the worst yet. At first when this started happening, it was a couple of months apart, now its every week. Also when it started the cables where really corroded before the engine quit. Now they can be wiped off with a dry towel. Also, the a/c has stopped working due to cracks in hoses. (from the acid) being as I live in texas, even if the truck is running I cant drive it in the summer, even if we fix the hoses it happens again. When I had the vehicle towed to the dealer the last time, they told me the battery was fine, but I needed to spend 400. 00 to have the cables replaced again. How is this problem really corrected. Talking to other people who had Suburbans I have found that a number of them have had vehicle fires due to the acid problem!!! having children in the car, im terrified to drive my truck. (when it even starts) I cannot sell it to someone else and put them in danger. The fuel pump has failed. We were told that we have to keep a 1/4 tank of gas in the truck. Well it is going out again and I keep it full! also, something to do w/ the abs booster being bad. Well my brakes are failing again. (less than a year later) the pads are fine. The acid leaking has caused damage to our driveways, not to mention the kids and animals in the neighborhood getting into the acid on the ground. Please send me any info that might help me. Im am going to contact the dealer and talk to them again about the information the I have found, im not the only one this is happening to.
Consumer stated that while driving vehicle cut off. Consumer took vehicle to a Chevrolet dealer/mechanic, and each time was told that vehicle needed new battery cables. The battery cables were replaced twice, but vehicle kept doing the same thing.
In February my car died while leaving a parking lot. I turned out to be acid corrosion on the battery. I have already had to have my positive battery cable replaced under extended warranty due to acid corrosion. Even after cleaning the acid off I am still having problems and will have to replace the battery even though it says it is still good. I know of another Suburban (95) also having the same problem.
Pinion seal on rear diff. Leaked at 36k miles, fuel injectors clogged at 40k and inoperable oxygen sensor. Battery leaked at side terminal (38k miles), corroded battery cables and shelf. Winsheild wipers do not go all the way down to the starting position when turned off. Currently having problems with starting the vehicle. Starter was checked and is o. K. Probably electrical, due to leaking battery or a computer problem.
Battery leaks and subsequent positive connector/cables rottening from acid prevent current flow to the starter and to the computer - so that the engine will not start. It is necessary to loosen the battery cables, and clean soak them in a mixture of soda and water, then rehook! my wife can no longer use the car, because she is unable make repairs of this nature, in the very good likelihood that the failure to crank will occur when she is driving. I have previously reported this, but did not report that I have just discovered that battery acid leaks have caused severe rusting of the right front brake tubing directly under the battery connections. This presents a potentially serious safety matter. Fyi, the car now has had 3 delco 78 series battery in it - first two replaced because of leaking!! , and now the new 3rd one is leaking. William j fisher.
Dealer refused to warrant the cable, although the extended warranty clearly indicates that it was covered.