Chevy Truck - No Start, Flickering Lights & Gauges - Voltage Drop Testing

In this video we show a classic example of ground side voltage drop causing a no start on this 99 Chevy Tahoe. When you have more than one accessory that quits working all at the same time and a no start there is usually a common cause. A common power or a ground for example. Let's see what we find here. - Enjoy!

THANKS A MILLION!!
--Eric O.

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South Main Auto Repair
47 S. Main St
PO Box 471
Avoca, NY 14809

Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not South Main Auto Repair

[livalittle]

In like 6 years Gavin will appreciate all of this way more. How much his father helps people.

[RileyKnifeandTool]

I don't comment on a lot of videos, but I wanted to let you know that you're one of my favorite diagnostics/repair channels on YouTube. You not only show specific step by steps, but also the basic foundations of how to get to those steps and why. Keep up the great work, and thank you!

[MarcelloTheBandit]

Being someone who doesn't have all the words doesn't make you any less of an astounding teacher. You can't imagine how many off days I've had where I've just watched what you're doing or listened while working to pass the time and learn something new. Keep it up Eric and Vanessa!! You two are doing this whole life thing right!!

[robertleifeld]

Thanks for showing auto repair to your son. My dad had a Sinclair station when I was his age, back in the 1940's, I spent a lot of time at "work". I used to help pump customer's gas and when the driveway bell would "ding", I would go out and help putting gas in the cars, check the tires, wash windshields and check oil and "water" (radiator), when I got a little bigger, I would wait on our regular customers all by myself. Saturdays were car wash days where we washed them by hand, scrubbed the white wall tires with a wire brush and some or the "good stuff", chenicals, that Osha long ago banned. For fun, I would take an old (6 volt) battery, put it into a cardboard box and connect old headlights, horns, and switches to make them work and push them around on a "crawler". Later, I got my engineering degree and now I still put batteries in a cardboard box and hook up lights and switches. I learned so much by being around cars that rebuilding an engine and even an automatic transmission didn't seem like a big deal and other maintenance and troubleshooting is just routine. Now I am going on four score years and I still enjoy the IATN forums, Scanner Danner, and of course South Main Auto and not to be left out, Scotty Kilmer for laughs! Last summer it was time for a brake booster on my Chevy S-10 and whenthe job was done, the check engine light popped on, I got out my Innova scanner and checked fuel trims and it said vacuum leak and sure enough there was an old crusty vacuum line hanging out there in the breeze. Thanks for the memories. Bob L

[paulanderson]

Eric, don't sell yourself short. Not only are you a good mechanic, you're quite good as an instructor.

[petersc]

Love your video. Its terrifying the number of young factory trained techs who would have just swapped modules related to every light flickering rather than following an old school troubleshooting method. 125$ for an hour vs 5k for parts and you still got a broke truck. I love being gen x!

[harveysmith]

The voltage drop using the scope on a rope was mind blowing. Negative to negative and it lights up. That really helped to explain it for me.
The scope on a rope are cheap enough to buy and are a fantastic tool.

[theecstatic]

Not only is this a great video directly relating to issues that I am having...but ya always know a good dude when he is patient, instructive, and humorous with his son...

[NewLevelAuto]

That's the beauty of teaching a kid on camera, everyone learns from it. Awesome video brother . And tell the boys that Roc misses them.

[TheBry_Guy]

5 years with no comments! Still valid info! thanks again Fella.

[drwells]

I have a 95 Chevy Tahoe with this same exact issue. I’ve been to 5 different mechanics and none of them could figure what the issue was. Thanks for posting this. It’s a shame that I’ll have to go back to mechanic and make them watch your video.

[williambell]

I have a 98 K1500 so with it's age and new york rust it is waiting to show me this one too. Great to see your interaction with your son. Takes me back about 35 yrs with mine following me around. always treated his questions the same way as if he was an adult, like you did with his grasp of voltage drop. Good mechanic and Dad Eric!

[denniswilkinson]

Another lesson learned about the lack of a good ground. Those kids grow up so fast, it seems every video they get taller. You're a lucky man with a beautiful family. I like the way you take time with them even though you're busy.

[lightningsmokerXx]

This is nice, father and son spending time together, listening, learning, story time, memory lane.
Gavin seems to quite enjoy time spent with Dad.

[markwheeland]

Being an electrical engineer these are easy concepts and I do well troubleshooting electrical issues. I still think you do a great job trying to explain this to people that may not have much experience using a multimeter or any electrical experience in general. Keep the great videos coming.

[brianhind]

Your voltage drop explanation was accurate & easy to understand. Most people do not benefit from an engineers's explanation.

[ozzman]

I know this video is a few years old but this is a fantastic video on chasing elecctrical issues. Thank you for this detailed instruction.

[ozzstars_cars]

"Sometimes when I think I get confused" - Eric. O. So do I, that's the truth! lol Good to see Gavin was there to make sure you knew what you were doing!! 👍

[pfsenterprisesllchill]

It's really refreshing to see someone including their family or children in their work. My father did the same thing and gave me a love for mechanics that continues to this day. I did the same with my children. Even my daughter has basic knowledge of what is wrong and how to fix it and she has. Always good to have knowledge. Keep up the good work you explain it in terms that are perfect to understand. God bless and good luck

[christopherwarren]

Have seen this before in high mileage cars. The vibration in the motor wears on the wire, rust and crusty's, and even a vehicle with broken motor mounts will hasten the inevitable. Good vid