Problem with ignition.. and, Is my warranty void?

JRD761 · December 16, 2013

I have a 2013 Silverado that I purchased new in January. It has about 20,000 miles on it now.

I've had no problems with it, until today.

I went to drive the truck.. Opened the doors using my keyless entry, got in the truck, put the key in the ignition, and turned the key.. but nothing happened. Nothing turned on (IE Radio, Fan, any lights on the dash) when it was in the "On/Run" position, and the truck didn't turn over when it was in the "Start" position.

Thinking I had a dead battery, I went and hooked a battery charger up to it. Still had the same result.

After playing around with it, I found that if I moved the adjustable/tilt steering wheel up a little bit and held it there with the key in the "On/Run" position, everything works. The truck will start up, and the radio/fan/everything else works. However, as soon as you move the steering wheel again, it all turns off as if you took the key out of the ignition.

Also, same thing with the hazard lights. They only work if the steering wheel is in that one position.

Now unfortunately, the position that the steering wheel is in when everything works isn't one that the adjuster will "lock" into. So I can't drive the truck at all..

This makes me think there's wiring inside/along the steering column that is loose.

Has anyone seen any trucks with this problem?

Now my main reason why I've posted here: I know the truck has a 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty on it, but I have two concerns:

1) Shortly after getting the truck, I installed a new Stereo head-unit and 4 new speakers. When I installed the stereo, I know it was installed correctly.. I've been working with automotive electrical all my life and it hasn't given me any problems. I installed the new stereo using an "install kit", which gave me a new module that had the door/key chime built into it, and a new wiring harness that plugged into the existing factory stereo connector (except for one wire: the steering wheel controls. That wire had to be cut at the back of the stereo connector and connected to an interface module for the wire to work with my aftermarket stereo). Will any of this void my warranty? I have the original stereo, and I can put it in.. but would rather not go through all that work of taking it out and putting it back in if this isn't going to void/mess with the warranty.

2) I've installed LED work lights in my truck. This was also installed around the same time as the stereo.. and it's on its own circuit (goes from the battery, to a fuse, through the firewall to a switch I mounted in the glove compartment, back out of the firewall to the bed of the truck). Will this void/mess with the warranty?

Thanks for your help guys!

idahoruss · December 16, 2013

When I worked as a mechanic, the mods you described would not void the warrenty unless you nicked or cut the wires involved in the problem. What you describe does not sound like you would have done so. I have not dealt with or worked for a dealership who would not tell you whether you are out of warrenty if you describe the problem and mods as you have done here. It is better to be up front with them than to try to hide the fact you put in another radio. It is not too hard to see mods if they caused a problem.

Russ J.