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Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Electrical and Computer Questions

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Comments

  • barnowl3barnowl3 Member Posts: 70
    I have an '03 and also a letter from GMC saying they will extend the warranty for the speedometer issue (new instrument cluster). I don't have the issue with the instruments but do have the problems with the wipers not turning off. The letter says nothing about that, so let me know what you find out. My 03 has been loaded with electrical issues.
  • bigz04bigz04 Member Posts: 12
    :mad: Good luck. 2004 Chevy silverado Z71 4x4. Speedo started going crazy around 25,000 miles on truck, truck now has 27,000 miles on it and it has been into chevy 5 times! For this Speedo repair, each time two different dealers same part replaced: Instrument panel cluster. Same result no fix, Speedo keeps acting crazy or pegs at zero. But cruise works regardless. Think I'm going to just bite the bullet and try replacing my Vehicle Speed Sensor in the Transfer case. Maybe there is a short or some thing in it? On some days when the speedo acts up I get a Service Brake Booster show up on the screen. All I know for sure is if this does not get fixed soon, I'm going to trade it in for a Dodge and never buy chevy again.
  • azjasazjas Member Posts: 6
    :sick: Per the GMC Dealership Service Manager - the 03/04 Instrument clusters are defective and will be replaced. Unfortunately, they continue to get replaced with defective units. GMC/Chevrolet is aware of the instrument panel issues for these model years - hence - the free replacement of the clusters.
    Unfortunately for me - this is not the problem with my 2000 GMC Sierra. So far, the best bet we have in repairing intermittent gauge spikes and a transmission failure appears to be a faulty ignition switch or short in a wiring harness that leads to the transmission sensor.
  • snoopy12snoopy12 Member Posts: 2
    @ broke loose. i got a check airbag, check 4x4, and a check trailer brake system. i shut it off then tried to restart and it wouldnt start. to make matters worse i hotshot for a living and just lost on a nice little $1000 run. i had to call the tow truck and cried when i saw my brand new baby rollin away from me. oh, by the way she only has 3800 miles on her. anybody ever experience this?
  • snoopy12snoopy12 Member Posts: 2
    still looking for any tech support on this issue. i took my truck in the dea, i'm sorry, the tow truck towed my new duramax into the dealership this morning and they called me about an hour ago and told me it would be untill 10:30-11:00am tom. before they even look at it. just stressing alittle bit because livleyhood depends on truck.i guess nobody is off from their 9 to 5 yet.any help to put me at ease would be appreciated. thanx
  • mrscougar25mrscougar25 Member Posts: 1
    Hi, I hope someone can help me out with this. I have a 2003 Sierra 2500 HD 4X4. My truck sometimes goes into 4X4 (I can put it back into two wheel) also it sometimes goes into tow haul it does this when I start it and I put it into gear it does it on its own. Also sometimes the radio shuts off then will come back on the next time I start the truck. The lights are dim and will pulse at night. The battery will go dead sometimes; and nothing is left on. I'm thinking that it might be wiring. :sick:
  • ronniewronniew Member Posts: 3
    azias,
    Update on our issue:
    Had a mechanic replace the ignition switch and so far so good. Seems to have fixed the problem. It was acting up several times per day before.
    Delco P/N: D1422D @ $89.90
    Labor was $125.00 (not too bad)
    It looked like it would not be too difficult to replace?
    The mechanic told me that the previous years switch assy were ~$200.00. He was shocked that mine was that less expensive.
    Good luck!!
  • azjasazjas Member Posts: 6
    That is GREAT News! Congrats! I hope that I will have the same GOOD LUCK! Still saving some pennies, nickels and dimes to get the repair on mine.
  • atcal134atcal134 Member Posts: 1
    This is very disturbing to hear...
    We just bought a '08 2500hd for my son. Pulled it out of the dealership, and less than 2 miles down the road, the ABS, Brake waring light, and "Trailer Brake System" lights all came on. We drove it right back and left with a loaner Grand Prix. Next day, we tried again and made it a half mile before the lights came back on (additinally, the blinkers wouldn't go off). Third times a charm right? Three Miles!!!
    Is there a known electrical problem with these trucks? If so, our dealer doesn't seem to be aware. I am afraid my son will get his first payment statement before he actually gets the truck home.
  • barnowl3barnowl3 Member Posts: 70
    A search on the internet, shows that these problems are prevalent. The fact that GM and dealers are acting like these are isolated cases, is what is turning me against GM. I have been buying and driving GM for 30 years. My 03 was/is loaded with silly electrical issues and they continue. The flimsy engineering on the power mirrors, power widows and power locks is embarrassing. I feel like I am driving a chevette vs a Professional grade truck! With only 45M miles, in the past 2 weeks of winter, my heater fan failed on positions 1-3, my windows would not roll down, and passenger door lock would not unlock (cold weather and ice). Kind of poor for a truck that was supposed to be designed for winter. Have already had 2 power windows fall apart. Wake up GM! This is why I am not trading in I am not convinced that any of these problems have been fixed, all I see is another new grille!
  • bigz04bigz04 Member Posts: 12
    Sorry to hear about your luck! Not a good start for a new Truck. My truck is a 2004 bought in 2003 and at 27,000 miles GM can't seem to fix my Speedometer, 8 times in the shop now! My new vehicle will be a Toyota. GM has good mpg and great 4wd systems in their trucks, but GM is still GM when it comes to none stop electrical issues. It is sad that to get a vehicle that will last past the warranty you have to make sure it was not made in the US (it seems like any way). I'll be getting the 4Runner if GM can't fix my truck and suck up the loss when my truck should still have tons of miles left in it. The only thing positive I can say is Chevy has always had good customer service, however that does ware thin when your Vehicle spends more time at the dealer then at home!!! Even though my Truck is old it has hardly no miles on it and for it to have a problem is not the issue, the issue is having a problem they can't fix!
  • ireland5ireland5 Member Posts: 1
    Hello there I was wondering if you were able to find the problem with your truck! I ask because my 96 silverado is doing the same thing! sometime it will cut off all together the radio will shut off and reset itself! Whatever is wrong with your truck is also wrong with mine! We thought maybe it was a bad relay or maybe the ignition but we cant put our finger on it! I hope maybe by now you know what it actually is! Well if you do know you can message me at red_fire_witch@yahoo.com
    thanks bunches-cat
  • sgorazdsgorazd Member Posts: 3
    Yeah, that is one of the number one reasons a service engine soon light will come on. If you tighten the cap, and the light is still on, either have the guy at the auto parts store reset your computer, or disconnect your battery.
  • sgorazdsgorazd Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2003 chevy silverado with roughly 56,xxx miles on it. I noticed the other night that the yellow security with the padlock light stays on all the time, but it is very, very dim. Do I need to take the dash apart and try to reconnect the wire, or do you guys think i have a bad relay? Any help would be appreciated.

    - Steve
  • pke133pke133 Member Posts: 1
    Hi just two day's ago the same thing happend to my 02 chevy silverado ext. cab z71 4x4 5.3L. Also the engine cut out many time's that day during idle so I drove it home so I can work on it the next day. After I let it stand for the night now there is no power anywhere in the truck the batt tested 12.46V but even with the key in run nothing turns on can someone help?
  • sgorazdsgorazd Member Posts: 3
    The service engine soon light does not come on, just the security light that flashes when you start your vehicle. It is very dim though, not bright like when the vehicle is first started. If i took the dash apart would that help? I'm thinking that there is just corrosion on the terminal and that simply removing the gauge cluster may solve the mysterious "dim" security light problem that I am having.
    Thanks
    - Steve
  • shigzyshigzy Member Posts: 7
    Hello,

    I have a 2000 chevy silverado 1500 4x4 5.3 auto. On cold starts after you put the truck in gear the gauges bounce back and forth, the abs, air bag and battery lights flash on and off and the gas and alternator gauge don't read properly. I thought it was a low battery issue or a bad alternator but both checked out ok. the scanner shows no codes. Sometimes when i'm driving the above will happen and the truck will shut off. It then starts up and runs fine sometimes or sometimes I have to press the gas pedal to start it. The dealer said it could be a ignition switch or the ecm but there guessing. Has anyone heard of this or had it happen. thanks for the help
  • azjasazjas Member Posts: 6
    This sounds identical to several reports. The problem is likely the ignition switch and/or wiring (cabling) that is damaged. The ignition switch is about a 200/300 hundred repair job at the dealership. Take a look at past posts - you will note that a couple of folks have found the ignition switch to be the problem and answer about 95% of the time.
  • shigzyshigzy Member Posts: 7
    Thanks azjas

    I did look back through some early posts and found similar things just like you said. However I purchased the switch and wiring harness today at the dealer it only cost $87 with my shop discount. I looked it up on napa prolink and they get 247 list 189 my cost much more than dealer. thanks again for your input I hope this is the solution.

    Dave
  • rusty32rusty32 Member Posts: 2
    I have the same truck and the same problem. I have talked to several mechanics and they have only guesses. let me know if the ignition switch fixes the problem.

    thanks for your help
  • shigzyshigzy Member Posts: 7
    Rusty32

    I installed the new switch on friday. It solved all the problems with gauges and stalling I couldn't believe it. the chevy dealer where I bought the part said they have never heard of a switch going bad. I think there doing damage control I suspect this is a very common problem after reading posts here and other sites. I install the switch myself, it was easy took about 1-1/2 hours the only problem I ran into was I failed to disconnect the battery first and blew a 50 amp maxi fuse, so don't make that mistake. Most of the time you'll spend is taking the dash panels off and back on the switch itself takes 10 minuets to change. Hope this helps someone else.

    shigs
  • badewaldbadewald Member Posts: 1
    I have an 04 with dash lights burned out. I am just looking for a source to purchase the bulbs and re-solder them in myself. Also, if there is a source for the temp control and radio lights. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

    Let me know,
    Brent
  • thomaskraythomaskray Member Posts: 2
    When I start my 2005 Chevy Silverado everything is fine. A few minutes into the drive, the chime sounds off about 10 times, various lights in the dash come on such as the power lock light, battery, 4wd, ABS, park brake. Sometimes the radio cuts out (loses power), the power windows won't work, power door locks won't work, and the small gages such as fuel, temp, battery, and oil pressure drop to zero.

    Sometimes everything happens at once, sometimes it's only a combination of the aforementioned. Then, all of a sudden, everything is restored to normal working order. Few minutes later, it starts happening again. Sometimes various lights come on, the radio loses power and it stays that way until I restart the truck. Then the cycle repeats itself all over again. Keep in mind that the truck "runs" fine even while all this is going on. No engine trouble at all. However, I'm scared this will spread to the headlights on a dark night or windshield wipers on a rainy day.

    I took it to the dealer and they were not able to reproduce the problem as some days everything works fine. The ran a computer diagnostic which returned some errors that meant something was losing communication but they were real vague about. I don't think they have any clue or haven't seen this before. However they said it's really odd these symptoms would occur together since they are all on seperate circuits and all the usual suspects passed their tests such as checking the battery terminals and checking connections in the fuse box.

    Today something a little different happened. My truck has this feature that when you turn it off, the power windows and radio stay powered on for 10 minutes or until you open the door. Whichever comes first. Today, when I got to the jobsite and turn off the key, the power shut off to the dash within 10-15 seconds. As if the "feature" wasn't working. Makes me think the entire problem coould revolve around the box or chip that controls that 10 minute power feature. Or it could simply be another symptom of a bigger problem such as the main computer going bad.

    I've looked under the hood several times but with all the wires and terminals on cars these days, who knows where to look? The problem could even be inside the dash where I can't get to. What bugs me the most is that I paid $83.00 to the dealer to run a diagnostic but they never fixed the problem or even had a sugestion. They said bring it back as the problem occurs however I don't want to pay another 83 bucks for them to just scratch their heads.

    Any suggestions or places to search for a solution would be appreciated. If I don't hear anything, I'm going to replace the ignition switch like [shigzy].
  • ftrspeedyftrspeedy Member Posts: 7
    my last truck 2002 1500 4.8L did that, pulled the battery cable off, broke the positive off from the inside of battery, new battery fixed mine, but every one on here seems to say ignition switch.
  • slewrateslewrate Member Posts: 3
    Anybody use/own a HP Tunner / code scanner and/or MPVI Pro feature! Anyone recommend a scanner (any scanner) for my 2005 5.3L Silverado? Any pro's to scan/log activity on a laptop? Must monitor ODB2 also.Thanks
  • thomaskraythomaskray Member Posts: 2
    As a followup to my 2/28/2008 post, wanted to let everyone know my problem turned out to be a corroded ground wire. Simple fix. The wire is somewhere under the hood on the driver side. Didn't ask for specifics as I was just glad to get the problem fixed. It's been acting up for 6 months. Nobody could fix it till now.
  • scottwelder1scottwelder1 Member Posts: 2
    i have an 03 silverado with a 5.3 it has electronic throttle control and when i am coming to a stop it wants to die sometimes does and it has a very rough idle i already changed plugs wires fuel filter and cleaned my k and n air filter i have checked all vacum lines there is no vacum leak i even checked the vacum brake booster it holds vacum just fine i did a trany filter and filter change and no metal shavings and i have not gotten any trouble codes and when i was doing the tune up i had the battery disconnected after re connecting the battery i had to drive it around for 45 minutes of it constantly dieing at stops before it relearned to adjust for this problem. do you think its the idle air control valve or a fuel problem or electrical
  • triplej69triplej69 Member Posts: 1
    I Just purchased a 2008 silverado 1500 2wd drove it home and halfway i got a code that says service the tire pressure monitoring system, the truck has 20 miles on it! i went through the manual to see if i could reset it and tried it all the tires have n2 in them as well has anyone seen this before?? the reprogram didnt work and i dont really want to deal with the dealership its such a hassle!! any help would be appreciated
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Sounds like a dirty IAC. However since you have the K&N it could also be a dirty MAF sensor too.
  • jtrappjtrapp Member Posts: 2
    I bought a new 6.0L 2500HD SLT model out of the dealer, and have had the following minor, (and major) problems since it left the factory. Interestingly enough, backlighting in GM trucks now, necessitates replacement of an entire switch.. wonder how many engineers GM needs to replace a light bulb? None.. throw a perfectly good working device away and replace it because a bulb burned out. O well.. warranty..

    1) Instrument cluster tranny temp backlight bulb failure. Replace cluster under warranty at 40K (good thing, that cluster's $1100)
    2) 4x4 pushbutton switch backlighting bulb failure: Replace switch under warranty at 40K
    3) A/C vent (door) actuator motor, both RHS and LHS failure. (heat out one side with both sides of the climate control set to cold). Replaced under warranty at 40K
    4) HVAC climate control panel. Backlight failure. Replace entire HVAC control under warranty at 40K.
    5) Steering wheel switches (all four) backlighting bulb failure. Replace under EXTENDED warranty, at 90K.
    6) Battery failure. Dealer indicates that GM batteries are not covered by the same warranty as their identical shelved brothers, but are merely covered for the life of the original vehicle mileage warranty of 60K.. and not covered under my extended warranty. Replace at 85K OUT OF MY POCKET. One battery, 1 yr, 4 mo. life. It's replacement? An identical delco battery, covered for five years. So far, that's the only time I've been left on the road so far, and.. the only out of pocket bill the dealer's shovelled off to me.

    Since its a Canadian model truck, I've also got some other uncorrectible issues with my dealer. I want the DRL's and auto headlights disabled and capable of being switched to "off" at MY discresion.. no means to program them at a dealer in Canada. Also not fussy about the top speed limiter, and last but not least, I also get the infamous bug shield rattle mentioned in some of your other forums.

    Topping the rest of the list, (not related to electrical mind you) I had some vibration in my drive shaft.. Fortunately, it was a seized rear driveshaft U-joint. Replaced under warrranty, at 85K.

    And just out of curiosity, for those with the 06 models, on the light switch to the right of the instrument panel dimmer dial, is there backlighting on the switch on the dimmer symbols on any of your trucks? Might necessitate a new light switch.

    Apart from the battery failure, I've never seen my check engine light.. never had any other sensor issues, and never had any powertrain problems. Just a lot of little things GM could stop cutting corners on. Electronic parts. They would be smart to use LED bulbs in their future designs.

    Fussy? Yup. Resale? Gonna need it. Had the truck for only a year and 4 months. Good thing it had extended warranty!
  • jtrappjtrapp Member Posts: 2
    Does anyone have the available resources to indicate exactly what options besides speed limiting and programming of DRL's and some other driver info center settings, that are 'programmable' into a GM truck's computer? I'm aware there's all sorts of transmission settings and some shift adjustments.. but I've never seen a complete listing, of all the little items that a dealer, can (not will, but is capable of) adjusting on the computer? When I spoke to the service tech at my dealer, he indicated that DRL's can be changed simply by flashing them with a different version of software (U.S. market, or police vehicles)
    Anyone in the know of all the little secret things a dealer can change and adjust with their little hot box?
  • pilot14pilot14 Member Posts: 1
    Lisab
    I have a 2004 Silverado SS with similar problems. Sometimes my driver side seat heater doesn't work. It will light up for a half second and then go out. I noticed that after I move the power seat the heater may work. Also my left blinker doesn't work. I replaced all of the bulbs to no avail. The horn use to work intermittently when I pushed but now It only works when I use the key fob (after locking or unlocking the doors).

    Have you found any solution yet for your problem. Maybe there all related. Sometimes I'm a little paranoid about the possibility of the air bag popping out it there is an electrical short.
  • kelsey92504kelsey92504 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2000 Sierra with a 4.8L and I have a couple problems. I noticed lately that my abs was not working, but I have no abs light on. I took it to a friends house and ran it on a tech 2 computer and it pulled a code. It says the pump is stuck on. We tried to turn the abs light off and on with the tech 2 and it did nothing, no light, but the tech 2 is reading that it is on. So I thought it might be in the gauge. I checked th fuses and the bulbs in the gauge, nothing burned out. I had the gauges replaced when I bought the truck because the temp gauge was not working, so I put the old set back in, no lights. When I turn my truck to the run position the only lights that come on in the gauge are the seat belt light, the parking brake light, the service engine soon light and the info center. When infact I should be get getting air bag, check engine and an abs light. Those are the only ones that dont work. I unplugged the iac to see if I would get a check engine light when the truck wsa running, and got nothing. Please help. Thanks in advanced for your help
  • deev8eddeev8ed Member Posts: 1
    The brake lights on my 1990 GMC truck stopped working. Checked the bulbs and changed the brake switch. I read something about a stop light relay under the hood, but can not find it to check it. Any help will be great.
  • djbeckettdjbeckett Member Posts: 2
    My new actron code scanner won't come on when plugged in, and the security dahboard light goes on and off when plugged in (never have seen the security light before). I know the scanner works; I used it on our 2000 Pontiac firebird. Two other friends tried their scanners, same results. I had a service engine warning light recently, and purchased the scanner to determine where to start.
  • keith2004keith2004 Member Posts: 1
    hey joe.

    im having a similar problem with the exception that neither my running lights or high beams work. im about to take a look at the wiring again and maby if i find out something i might be able to give you a hand with yours

    Dustin
  • bdubebdube Member Posts: 3
    Brent- I have about 5 of those bulbs out that I know of, and dealer tells me GM parts choice is that I have to buy modules to get bulbs.. wrong answer!
    Did you get any replies to your question of source of solder in bulbs?
    Also, does anyone know voltage they work at (as peanut bulbs for cars use mix of 5.5 volt, 6.5 volt, 9 volt or 12 volt) and I didn't check voltage when I took dash apart to check bulbs and I rather not take dash out too many times-seems flimsy.. thanks! Barry D
  • smoothe999smoothe999 Member Posts: 1
    have the same type problem. the gear selector, and odometer lights come on and off as they please. first on more then off and now off more then on. have you found the solution?
  • bdubebdube Member Posts: 3
    my truck had a bad ground connection behind the dash from the instrument cluster to the main firewall ground is what I was told, with a local shop being the ones that found it. Apparently, there are several different grounding points that either go to chassis ground or to battery ground via the fuse block and the bad one was one that went to fuseblock, which made sense because several chassis grounds I found ans checked, all checked good, and without the schematic, I could only guess at pin outs.
  • promotorsportspromotorsports Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2004 Silverado LS. Power windows, locks, mirrors, etc.... The Drivers door has lost all power to everything. cant use the locks, window doesnt roll down, mirrors dont work. The dome light doesnt even come on when you open the door nor does the radio keep playing when you turn off the vehicle before opening the door. I dont understand this problem at all. The pass. door works just fine. Any one ever experienced this?
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    Checked your fuses lately?
  • promotorsportspromotorsports Member Posts: 2
    i have checked every fuse that it could possibly be...i am lost and have no idea where to look next
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    The only other thing I can think of is a defective Body Control Module.
  • bdubebdube Member Posts: 3
    I know you said you checked fuses, but did you (1) check them with ohm meter, and (2) check the voltage availability through the test hole of fuse while installed, and (3) lessons learned on my 4 most recent GMC trucks-are you aware that there are multiple fuse boxes, and they are designed with a quadrent system? (The two main boxes are under hood, by driver, and then there are a scattered few other fusable links throughout vehicle...) By quadrent I mean front right, front left, rear right, rear left, and, some of the associated parts in the door may be dependent upon something else, such as park light voltage for door controls may be sharing ground with door open switch, and if open ground, taking out the door power ability to work, so you may have power (so fuses are good) but bad ground. I would start with door ground myself. good luck!
  • kmarlarkmarlar Member Posts: 7
    I bought the ScanGaugeII for my 4.8L Silverado. Hooks into the OBDII & gives me information on fuel mileage, horsepower, coolant temp, etc. It also resets trouble codes. Easy to setup and can be moved between different vehicles. You can find it at www.scangauge.com
  • farside03farside03 Member Posts: 1
    I am having the same problem with my 03 Silverado, but my passenger side will not work. Promotorsports, did you figure out what was causing your problem?
  • drtbkrdrtbkr Member Posts: 2
    I also have a 2004 Silverado with the same symptoms. I will be chasing wires today and will post what I find. Wish me luck.
  • colecremeen22colecremeen22 Member Posts: 1
    i have a 2000 gmc z71 with 5.3 that cranks fine on start up and then looses power and studders when moving?? sometimes it does fine going down the road and then just looses all the power and feels like it has no fuel going to it? fuel pressure is fine? i can't pull up a code because when i plug up a code reader it just says cannot connect to vehicle or something like that?? i do have a check engine light come on but something is wrong with the obd2 connector? sometimes the truck will run fine but then just quit? any suggestion please!??
  • obyoneobyone Member Posts: 7,841
    check your fuse to the obd2 connection.
  • ranvonsranvons Member Posts: 4
    My wipers will not turn off at all. The only way to get them not to run is to pull the fuse. The dealer wants to replace the wiper motor at $500. Is this the only fix, or is there an easier/cheaper fix for this problem like replacing the wiper/cruise control arm on the steering column? Or is there a relay that controls this that can be replaced?

    Thanks, Randy
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