Fuse Box Electrical Fix! This is a MUST READ!
I was dealing with an intermittent overheating problem on my 2014 Traverse LS 3.6L V6 engine. The Passenger Side Radiator Fan would just stop working, and would later start working again with no rhyme or reason. After testing Fuses and swapping Relays in the Fuse Box under the hood (over the front passenger tire) to no avail, I finally found the 2 Bolts (see photo) circled in Red were LOOSE! These Bolts actually are used to pull the 2 large Wiring Harness Plugs up into the Bottom of the Fuse Box using nuts installed in these plugs. In reality, the Bolts werent really loose. The Bolt threads are actually too short, allowing the bolt threads to pass completely through the nuts (the shanks on the bolts are undercut allowing this to happen) so, when you try to tighten the bolts, they just pass completely through the nuts and spin, disallowing the Bolts (and Plugs) to tighten up.
The Fix is so stinking easy. I took 2 lock-washers (approximately .100 inch thick) and using my Bench Grinder, I ground a little of the washer away to make C washers, (See Photo in next post) after flattening the washers, I then loosened up the 2 Bolts and installed them under each of the Bolt Heads, (you cannot remove the Bolts) then tightened them up, being careful not to over torque the bolts (The Bolts should actually tighten instead of spinning). This pulled the harness plugs securely and firmly up into the bottom of the fuse box, (instead of wiggling and vibrating with every Bump) and my fans started working normally!!!
I cannot take credit for this fix, I actually saw it online. But this problem of the wiring harness plugs being loose is reported to cause a HOST of problems including Low Power Mode, Over Heating, StabilaTrac issues, many other electrical issues, and various DTCs. 2009-2017 Traverse, and possibly other models using this same fuse box design (Im not exactly sure of the years) could also be affected.
PLEASE check to see if you have this problem by removing the Fuse Box cover and simply try to tighten the 2 Bolts, regardless if you are having electrical issues or not. If the bolts just Spin and Spin, youre on borrowed time. You need to install this fix ASAP!
Hope this Helps!
The Fix is so stinking easy. I took 2 lock-washers (approximately .100 inch thick) and using my Bench Grinder, I ground a little of the washer away to make C washers, (See Photo in next post) after flattening the washers, I then loosened up the 2 Bolts and installed them under each of the Bolt Heads, (you cannot remove the Bolts) then tightened them up, being careful not to over torque the bolts (The Bolts should actually tighten instead of spinning). This pulled the harness plugs securely and firmly up into the bottom of the fuse box, (instead of wiggling and vibrating with every Bump) and my fans started working normally!!!
I cannot take credit for this fix, I actually saw it online. But this problem of the wiring harness plugs being loose is reported to cause a HOST of problems including Low Power Mode, Over Heating, StabilaTrac issues, many other electrical issues, and various DTCs. 2009-2017 Traverse, and possibly other models using this same fuse box design (Im not exactly sure of the years) could also be affected.
PLEASE check to see if you have this problem by removing the Fuse Box cover and simply try to tighten the 2 Bolts, regardless if you are having electrical issues or not. If the bolts just Spin and Spin, youre on borrowed time. You need to install this fix ASAP!
Hope this Helps!