Clock Resets/engine Cut Out/starting Issue

johntab · November 3, 2009

I have a 2007 GMC 2500hd. About 2 months ago the clock started reseting itself. Sometimes once a day, sometimes several times in the same day. One day I was driving on the highway doing 65 and the power completely shut off, all the warning lights came on and then it restarted all by itself. The whole thing took less time than it takes to say "oh sh!t".

I called the dealer and the told me to bring it in but they told me upfront that if the check engine light is not on they aren't going to find anything. They did say to bring it in so that complaint is on record. Several weeks have gone by and twice today there was hesitation when I tried to start the truck. The first attempt I thought maybe I did not turn the key enough. The next time later in the evening, I tried starting the truck and I got warning lights but no ignition. I turned the key off and turned it back on and it fired right up.

Is my battery going or could this be signs of something else going wrong?

ColoradoSkiCountry · November 3, 2009

I am having the EXACT same issue on my 07 1500! Started with the clock, then when I was on a road trip, I'd sometimes loose all power for a second or two when I used the turn signal while changing lanes. (not all the time just random) Does your Climate Control reset to 74 as well? I had my truck looked at 3 times now, they could not duplicate the problem. Sometimes I would not be able to get it started unless I moved the tilt steering up and down a few times and shake the steering wheel, which led me to believe a short in the steering wheel. They tore it down and could not find a problem. Told me that the next time it would not start, (would not crank, acted like there was NO power from the battery at all) to have it towed in. Well I had it towed in and apparently it worked just fine when it came off the tow truck. Could not duplicate the problem and I got stuck with a $90.00 tow bill. I just re-tightened down the battery cables and so far (in 3 days of driving) I have not had any problems, knock on wood.

HawkScot · November 3, 2009

I've heard that this may be the wiring harness in the steering column. Just a bit short, it rubs somewhere and intermittently causes problems.

WaterGuy · November 4, 2009

I'd focus on the battery connections.

Clean-n-tite

Also check the various grounding locations.

minibike132 · November 4, 2009

I'd focus on the battery connections.
Clean-n-tite

Also check the various grounding locations.

+1

buck-brandt · November 5, 2009

My 1997 silverado had the same exact symptoms and I checked both battery connections and they looked fine, but did you check the other end of the positive battery wire? (The end that goes into your fuse box area.) That was so corroded on mine I cleaned it up and months later no problems.

johntab · November 5, 2009

This is an update to my original post.

Last night I was driving home in the dark. I switched on my high beams and the power cut out and I was coasting for about 5 seconds with the engine off and the dash warning lights on. Then all of a sudden the motor restarted. I played around turning the high beams on and off and I was able to get the motor to turn off again.

Also, when I touch the brake at night I noticed that my headlights flicker a little. What could be doing this?

minibike132 · November 5, 2009

This is an update to my original post.

Last night I was driving home in the dark. I switched on my high beams and the power cut out and I was coasting for about 5 seconds with the engine off and the dash warning lights on. Then all of a sudden the motor restarted. I played around turning the high beams on and off and I was able to get the motor to turn off again.

Also, when I touch the brake at night I noticed that my headlights flicker a little. What could be doing this?

Did you check any of the connections that were mentioned?

jwhjr · November 5, 2009

My wife called me a few weeks ago on her way home from work with the same symptoms on our '99 Suburban, and it ended up being a corroded/loose positive battery cable. Cleaned it up and tightened down and it's been good since.

ColoradoSkiCountry · November 5, 2009

It is not the cables. Everything is at tight as can be, good connection, NO signs of anything being corroded. (it sure as hell better not be, the truck is only 2 years old!) The dealer also checked the cables to make sure they were tight.

If you can get it to stall out on you by doing the high-beam thing and feel confident you can do it at the dealer take it in and show them. Until I can get my truck to do what it does at the dealer, I'm screwed.

WaterGuy · November 7, 2009

It is not the cables. Everything is at tight as can be, good connection, NO signs of anything being corroded. (it sure as hell better not be, the truck is only 2 years old!) The dealer also checked the cables to make sure they were tight.

I've seen tight connections on the ground terminal. Took it apart anyway. It was tight because of the CORROSION. Cleaned. All was OK.

I know what you said.

Turned on the headlights?

Instant power draw from the battery.

But then, once the motor is running, the battery is no longer needed but the CONNECTIONS are.

ColoradoSkiCountry · November 12, 2009

John,

Any updates?

This past week I've not had any issues, knock on wood. I'm going to go ahead and take the battery connectors off this weekend and do a real good inspection of the cables, as mike mentioned above, it can happen even though it does not look like it has.

johntab · November 12, 2009

Here is my update:

Sunday I checked the battery terminals. They were clean with no signs of corrosion.

Tuesday I dropped the truck off with the dealer and let them know about all the weird stuff it was doing. The weather was dry and there was no humidity. They could not duplicate the stalling through the high beam. When I went to pick it up they told me to try to get it to stall on a rainy day and to bring it back without an appointment.

Since the problem was documented while the vehicle is under warranty, would the warranty cover it if the dealer figures out what is wrong with it once the warranty has expired?

[email protected] · April 26, 2010

John or Colorado,

Did you all resolve your problem. I am having the same issues: clock resets, lignts and guages go out when switching from low to high beam (sometimes), headlights flicker when brakes are applied. Just curious if you found a fix. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Treye

Z71-K9 · April 26, 2010

Im having the same issues. My power locks cycle several times too. Truck is going in on May 6 for the third time on the same issue. I dont have it in front of me but there is TSB on a tranny harness problem. Something about a terminal comes loose shorting everything out momentarily. Last time the truck was in I gave the Service Manager copy of the TSB. Called me an hour later claiming bolt on max fuse was loose.