Truck Electrical System has gone Haywire

[VT_Z71]

Have to wait until Thursday for an appointment, thank god for the extended BtoB warranty.

 

Starting a few weeks ago, I noticed a few times while driving that I would intermittently loose power to my interior electrical accessories (power windows, locks, turn signals, etc.) but strangly not the radio, only for a brief few moments then they would pop back on like nothing was ever the matter. Of course, the truck kept driving fine, no warning lights, voltage guage good, etc.

 

So, I checked the ground on my 3-month old Optima Red Top, confirmed it was good and tightened it all down.

 

All was good for a few days, then last week I noticed that my headlights would occasionally flicker while driving, and each random time this would happen, when I turned the truck ignition off, I would briefly have no lights / RAP just deadness for a second or two, then all of a sudden it would pop back on and my exterior lights (delay off) and interior lights would come on, radio and interior accessories would also come back on using RAP power, etc. just like normal. Again, truck seems to have no power issues because voltage meter is good, truck runs fine, and everything is just like normal once this brief dead period happend at shutdown.

 

Now this morning, all really went to crap.

 

Noticed a brief flicker of the headlights while driving to the gym this morning. When I turned the ignition off shortly afterward, truck went completely dead with no auto unlock, RAP-based functions, lighting, etc. However, if I simply use the unlock button, or turn on an interior light via switch, everything seems normal. Also, if I simply put the key back in the ignition I have full power and everything back to normal - however, everything ie. the radio presets, clock, HVAC controls, etc. is reset.

 

Its almost as if every time I turn the ignition off, someone briefly disconnects my ground just for a brief second, then puts it back on. I'm getting this all the time now, no more intermittent, all the time. No more RAP whatsoever. Everytime I shut down, I lose all the settings and my CD changer goes haywire, ie. like you just disconnected/reconnected the battery. Yet, truck acts normal with plenty of power if you use functions via ignition key on, usual switches, etc right afterwards.

 

I also noticed while driving to the dealer this morning that the radio briefly skipped, as if it lost power for a brief second. Looked at my guages, and my airbag light was flashing as if the truck had just reset itself.

 

Not sure what the hell is going on. Just hope it continues to run and drive until the dealer can see it on Thursday.

[Debo511]

Check all battery cable connections , Maxi fuse and ubec connections.

[TimmyG]

Good luck! Sounds like it could be in the ing switch

[holty]

Here are common issues which could be the problem the symptoms you described:

 

1. bad ground somewhere (most likely)

2. BCM needs to be replaced

3. Bad battery (yes i know even though your gauge says you have proper voltage)

[Wolfmanjohn]

I vote for grounds, especially those most exposed to the weather elements.

[iscsidude]

These symptoms sound very similar to the ones I had last year.

Turned out to be a bad battery.

[Z71-K9]

Had the same issue. Had to replace negative cable. Dealership even had the cable off and bench tested and found no problem. But when on the truck and all connections tight, it would get warm. Wiggle the cable and it would duplicate problem. Replaced and never had the problem since.

[c0boy]

Good luck, I'm interested to hear the outcome. I had a lemon at 600 or so miles on a 2011. The worst part of the experience was GM's customer service. They had no authority of fixing my issue, they were only able to give me some free service.

[foghorn23]

Good luck, I'm interested to hear the outcome. I had a lemon at 600 or so miles on a 2011. The worst part of the experience was GM's customer service. They had no authority of fixing my issue, they were only able to give me some free service.

 

 

Hey C0boy... I remember your saga. Sure hope VT_Z71 doesn't have to go through what you did. With all computerized gadgets and monitors on new vehicles it actually is amazing this doesn't happen more often.

 

...VT_Z71, hope the dealer finds you problem and you get things back on track with your truck.

[c0boy]

Good luck, I'm interested to hear the outcome. I had a lemon at 600 or so miles on a 2011. The worst part of the experience was GM's customer service. They had no authority of fixing my issue, they were only able to give me some free service.

 

 

Hey C0boy... I remember your saga. Sure hope VT_Z71 doesn't have to go through what you did. With all computerized gadgets and monitors on new vehicles it actually is amazing this doesn't happen more often.

 

...VT_Z71, hope the dealer finds you problem and you get things back on track with your truck.

 

 

I sure hope he doesnt too and doubt it. Once it was settled I bought another Silverado. It's been flawless.

[tmoney82]

I changed my negative cable an no problem since!

[VT_Z71]

Get this.....after sitting for 8 hrs at the office today, she's back to normal as if nothing was ever wrong.

 

I HOPE she will act up for the dealer on Thursday or I worry they'll just do a quickover and claim 'could not replicate.

 

At least they can fix the horrible rattle in my drivers door that popped up once they removed it last week to replace a window actuator.

[Gurrzt]

I vote for grounds, especially those most exposed to the weather elements.

 

 

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