Multiple issues with '05, battery replaced now A/T oil light and more

[Tahoe_Natl_Forest]

Hi folks

Seeking some help as I'm running out of money and patience keeping my 05 going. It has 222k miles, lifted, etc.. Here are the series of issues I've had with my current issue I'm looking for help on at the bottom. Sorry it's long but it's a long story - I'm hoping the details will help someone help me.

1. Went offroading. Took a hit to the bottom but all was fine. However, the day after VSC lights and check engine came on. Brought it to mechanic
2. Mechanic said nothing seemed to be wrong from off roading, but determined it was air injector valve and air pump. These were replaced. This did not work to turn off VSC and check engine.
3. Mechanic said maybe it was the secondary air pump. Replaced this and it did not fix it. They had everyone there look at it and determined they could not fix it and told me to bring it to the dealership as they have better diagnostic tools.
4. Brought it to dealership. Their diagnostic tool showed nothing new and they wanted to pull it apart to check all the work of former mechanic. While it was there, someone broke into their lot with a flatbed truck and attempted to steal it. They did something to break the shifter to put it in neutral, but apparently couldn't get the tires to turn so either gave up or got scared off. (Anyone who wants a horrific dealership experience story, pm me). Obv is wouldn't go into gear so the dealership fixed it and said it was back to normal. It didn't feel normal, but I didn't know what else I could do at that point.
5. Decided I wasn't going to have the dealership do anything for me. Whenever VSC and check engine lights went on, where it went into limp mode, I reset the codes and it was working OK and was just waiting to save some money to bring to another mechanic.
6. Last week, it would not start, seemed like a battery/starter. Brought it to initial mechanic, they confirmed it was that and replaced both. Drove fine for about 10 miles.
7. Tonight, I drove it about 1/4 mile and it started acting funny. Didn't have any power and was kind of accelerating (barely) then not.
8. I parked it and noted the A/T Temp light and oil lights were on, as well as check engine. I thought it might be due to oil, but the dipstick looked fine. It starts just fine, but when I try to apply the gas pedal it just kind of wavers and won't drive, then shuts off.

I've put ~$3,500 into it over the last few months and trying to understand what this might be. Any suggestions on something I can try myself? It's parked about a mile from my house in a safe spot. The issue is that I'm a noob when it comes to mechanics on a vehicle.

Just looking for advice I suppose as well as any thoughts on what the issue might be - particularly if it might be related to the recent battery/starter being replaced, or the attempt to steal it a while ago.

Really appreciate you reading this far if you did!

Thanks for any suggestions.... TNF

 

[Tahoe_Natl_Forest]

Oh, and here is one other symptom that I assume is nothing, but when I parked it last night (and the last time I drove it before tonight), I noted what felt like a very cold sensation on my left shin after I turned off the heater. I figured it was just cold air flowing in somehow, but I did make note of it... Anyhow, not sure if that could be an indicator of anything....

 

[SurferUK]

Hi folks

Seeking some help as I'm running out of money and patience keeping my 05 going. It has 222k miles, lifted, etc.. Here are the series of issues I've had with my current issue I'm looking for help on at the bottom. Sorry it's long but it's a long story - I'm hoping the details will help someone help me.

1. Went offroading. Took a hit to the bottom but all was fine. However, the day after VSC lights and check engine came on. Brought it to mechanic
2. Mechanic said nothing seemed to be wrong from off roading, but determined it was air injector valve and air pump. These were replaced. This did not work to turn off VSC and check engine.
3. Mechanic said maybe it was the secondary air pump. Replaced this and it did not fix it. They had everyone there look at it and determined they could not fix it and told me to bring it to the dealership as they have better diagnostic tools.
4. Brought it to dealership. Their diagnostic tool showed nothing new and they wanted to pull it apart to check all the work of former mechanic. While it was there, someone broke into their lot with a flatbed truck and attempted to steal it. They did something to break the shifter to put it in neutral, but apparently couldn't get the tires to turn so either gave up or got scared off. (Anyone who wants a horrific dealership experience story, pm me). Obv is wouldn't go into gear so the dealership fixed it and said it was back to normal. It didn't feel normal, but I didn't know what else I could do at that point.
5. Decided I wasn't going to have the dealership do anything for me. Whenever VSC and check engine lights went on, where it went into limp mode, I reset the codes and it was working OK and was just waiting to save some money to bring to another mechanic.
6. Last week, it would not start, seemed like a battery/starter. Brought it to initial mechanic, they confirmed it was that and replaced both. Drove fine for about 10 miles.
7. Tonight, I drove it about 1/4 mile and it started acting funny. Didn't have any power and was kind of accelerating (barely) then not.
8. I parked it and noted the A/T Temp light and oil lights were on, as well as check engine. I thought it might be due to oil, but the dipstick looked fine. It starts just fine, but when I try to apply the gas pedal it just kind of wavers and won't drive, then shuts off.

I've put ~$3,500 into it over the last few months and trying to understand what this might be. Any suggestions on something I can try myself? It's parked about a mile from my house in a safe spot. The issue is that I'm a noob when it comes to mechanics on a vehicle.

Just looking for advice I suppose as well as any thoughts on what the issue might be - particularly if it might be related to the recent battery/starter being replaced, or the attempt to steal it a while ago.

Really appreciate you reading this far if you did!

Thanks for any suggestions.... TNF

The dodgy drive-by-wire throttle pedal, the AT Oil temp AND the oil pressure lights being on makes me wonder if the wiring loom was damaged/crushed while off-roading.

If it was me I would take it to a competent independent auto electrician before getting a mechanic to replace any more parts.

 

[Tahoe_Natl_Forest]

The dodgy drive-by-wire throttle pedal, the AT Oil temp AND the oil pressure lights being on makes me wonder if the wiring loom was damaged/crushed while off-roading.

If it was me I would take it to a competent independent auto electrician before getting a mechanic to replace any more parts.

Thanks Surfer - would it make sense that it drove normal (after I reset the codes) for about 4-5 months after the off-roading incident, but only now the current issues came up in terms of it being the wiring loom as the potential issue?

 

[SurferUK]

Thanks Surfer - would it make sense that it drove normal (after I reset the codes) for about 4-5 months after the off-roading incident, but only now the current issues came up in terms of it being the wiring loom as the potential issue?

Possibly if it has allowed water ingress which has been causing oxidisation of connections or any conductor which has been exposed due to insulation being torn off. It might not even be a cable that has anything to do with your warning lights, but is 'backfeeding' to a control module and confusing it.

It's just weird how it's all 'underside' type faults (Oil sensor lights, AT temp light, traction control), it just sounds like a branch of underside cables got damaged. Electric windows, locking, HVAC etc still all OK?

I'm not saying it's that for sure but an inspection and test by an auto electrician will at least rule it out. They can check your earth points are all OK too.

 

[Tahoe_Natl_Forest]

Talked to my mechanic and sounds like they have 3 ACE on staff. I suppose I'm trying to figure out why the truck quit working after just 6 miles after picking it up from battery/starter repair. Was hoping the other symptoms were meaningful but perhaps it's just falling apart lol (but not lol) - just what it feels like.

 

[SurferUK]

Talked to my mechanic and sounds like they have 3 ACE on staff. I suppose I'm trying to figure out why the truck quit working after just 6 miles after picking it up from battery/starter repair. Was hoping the other symptoms were meaningful but perhaps it's just falling apart lol (but not lol) - just what it feels like.

Is this the same company that replaced your battery and starter? Something didn't sit right with that for me. The battery sure, they fail. I am wondering why they didn't just fit a new battery first. I've never replaced a starter on any vehicle I've owned (And I've owned some sh*tboxes!), and they tend to show signs of failing, not just stop working.