New Suburban owner

Howdy folks. I just bought a '97 K1500 Suburban. LT package, tow package, indigo & silver. The whole family absolutely loves it. It is a dream to drive. We wanted something large enough for a gang of kids - my two and their friends, with guts enough to pull the boat. This thing is fantastic. It does have a couple of minor 'used vehicle' type issues I need to deal with. Any help you can provide will be most appreciated.

1) It came with the factory tow package (Z82) but the wiring to the trailer plug has been cut. There's a hole by the license plate where I believe the plug should be and there's a section of the wiring harness that's open ended and wrapped around the bumper support on the driver's side. I'm guessing they go together but I haven't yet found a good source to steer me in the right direction. I could use some help returning this to factory standards. I could buy one of those pigtail things and plug it in, but I'd prefer to return it to its correct set-up. Any good web sites out there or other advice? 2) The cargo door doesn't lock or unlock using the remote.The switch inside the cargo door doesn't lock it - I haven't tried to unlock it using this switch. It locks only by using the key manually. It does unlock using the switch on the driver's door. When using the key, it's slow and difficult to turn. It feels like I'm moving an awful lot of weight. Any experience out there with this? Thanks folks for any help and I'm open to advice on what to watch out for as I get used to it - any common problem areas or owner tricks that'll enhance my Suburban experience. Merry Christmas to all. TrailMarker.
Reply to
TrailMarker
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Congrats on your suburban, I have a '97 Yukon XLT. That little hole on the right side of the license plate is for the rod that lowers your spare tire. You can try polishing the contacts on each side of the cargo doors with a "rubber stone" polishing stone, of some other polishing medium. (Sand paper is much too coarse.) This may return function to the cargo door locks. You didn't indicate whether the rear window defroster worked or not, but the rubber stone trick can restore that function too. As far as the wiring harness goes, mine was set up and working when I bought it used. The 7 prong plug was mounted to the Hitch and the trailer brake controller was installed up next to the steering column. You can find the rubber stones at better auto parts stores and most machine tool supply houses. I'm thinking that maybe even a coarse rubbing compound might clean up those door contacts. Good Luck, JR

Reply to
JR

Good lord, it was a Yukon SLT not an xlt. WTF was I thinking? Regards, JR

Reply to
JR

You know the kind of rubber eraser that can erase ball-point ink? It's great for cleaning up electrical contacts!

-tih

Reply to
Tom Ivar Helbekkmo

Aha! Thanks for the info. My rear door lock is now working and I know what that little hole is for. I've also examined more closely that section of the harness that I thought was cut. It now appears that it's been that way since new. It's sealed off at the end and appears to be something I don't need. So I'll just buy a plug in 4 pronger and be happy with it. Thanks again. TrailMarker.

Reply to
TrailMarker

Hi Trailmarker, That Wire harness you speak of is the factory harness, but no termination has been installed yet. My '97 Tahoe LT with Towing Package was the same way when new. It had the hitch, but no electrical trailer connector installed.

Any Camping Supplier who sells trailers/whatnot, will have the 7 prong round connectors, and mount bracket, and should be able to provide you with a diagram of what wires from that factory harness go to what prongs on the 7 prong round connector.

With this 7 Prong Connector, and then with an Adapter (7 rpong round to

4 prong inline) You'll be able to hook up any type/style Trailer imaginable. This was what I did, and I mounted the 7 Prong Connector just to the right of the license plate at the bottom of the Bumper.

With all your doors on your vehicle, I recommend applying a good lock lube to all the locks, just squirt some in where the key goes, rotate with key, and lube all door hinges/hood hinges, etc.

It will take you some time to go through the whole vehicle, but will be worth the effort, as you'll know where you stand. Make sure things like brakes, wipers, serpentine drive belt, hoses, battery, lights, tires are up to snuff. With these things in good order, your less likely to have unpredictable problems when you least expect them. Best of luck, Mark

Reply to
Mark D

TIH, Thanks for the info, I never would have thought of that. Will make cleaning the contacts on the cell phones and TV remotes a lot easier. Regards, JR

Reply to
JR

Thanks, Mark. That's excellent info. I've had a few days to get to know it better. I've lubed and checked and pushed and pulled and poked and prodded just about everything that I could reach. I think I got a good one. I even put a mirrored bowtie front tag on it to show my pride and pleasure. Mark.

Reply to
TrailMarker

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