Silverado LED Radio/HVAC knobs: part #'s & warranty claims

benitslu · February 11, 2014

See post 16

Yea, unfortunately I read that after I dropped off my truck.

2016 Sierra Owner · February 11, 2014

Is this solely a Silverado thing? Because mine do not light up......

What are you referring to as not lighting up? The radio vol and channel knobs light up. The fan speed control knob lights up. The driver and pass temp knobs DO NOT light up and are not supposed to. So far the knobs not lighting issue has only been on the silverado.

2016 Sierra Owner · February 11, 2014

I think GM has been fairly deceptive with these trucks, why not throw 17" or 18" on the truck if you don't have the right gears...also the whole raising the prices back in October by $1500? Some dealers raised the price on previously existing stock....some didn't. I doubt GM will pay the bill to have $1 worth or resistors installed or swap $100s of parts to fix the issue in mass because of a parts shortage...in the long run it would of been cheaper to stop the line since there's a surplus of vehicle stock on hand so we're stuck being at the mercy of the dealerships service dept.

On a separate note and back on topic, i don't think its ever helpful to go to the Service Advisor and throw TSBs and info from forums in their face...its no different than going into a Dr's office and tell them what your condition is X and how they need to treat your condition with what medicine based in what webMD said. I think anybody on the receiving end would find that insulting. See plenty of novice mechanics are DIY know it alls and every professional mechanic and service advisor deals with them every day. Its all about respect and building a good relationship with the service dept. Arm yourself with the info from these forums, go to the service dept and if the service dept tries to BS you, or they give you wrong info, politely, say..."that doesn't make sense from how i understand the system to work..etc" or go somewhere else. Your way of asking to go look at another truck is a perfect solution, especially when they say it works as designed, so if another truck has working lights, then is that truck broken by their definition. Remaining calm, but appearing competent is the best defense. Demanding they refer to TSB X or throw "somebody on the Internet got their dealer to fix the issue by writing up the issue as X" and showing them a forum thread on your smart phone is just going to put people on the defensive and probably get the Service Writer to think and act on "well if you seem to know so much...go fix it yourself" many times these service writers and depts are the face and intermediary for the decisions the big wigs at GM made and they had no bearing in those decision...we need to remember that before we go making demands of them.

As for the TSB in the face thing. When the TSB for the 2009 seat material was out and my truck needed it. I wrote down the numbers of the TSB. When I was talking to my service adviser about the issue I told him I had those numbers and asked if he would like them so as to make his job of looking it up in the system a little easier. He wrote them down and said he would look at them and get back to me. When he came back he told me he would order all of the seat material and console. Every piece of cloth on my seats was replaced even a new center console. So just be polite when giving this info or asking if they will need it to make looking it up easier.

ShotgunZ71 · February 11, 2014

As for the TSB in the face thing. When the TSB for the 2009 seat material was out and my truck needed it. I wrote down the numbers of the TSB. When I was talking to my service adviser about the issue I told him I had those numbers and asked if he would like them so as to make his job of looking it up in the system a little easier. He wrote them down and said he would look at them and get back to me. When he came back he told me he would order all of the seat material and console. Every piece of cloth on my seats was replaced even a new center console. So just be polite when giving this info or asking if they will need it to make looking it up easier.

That is the key. Don't lie and say they "just went out". State the fact that they aren't working. Have them find ones on the lot that do. Part numbers, TSBs, etc, are very much appreciated by most service departments, especially for new issues they haven't come across yet.

Silverado Steve · February 11, 2014

That is the key. Don't lie and say they "just went out". State the fact that they aren't working. Have them find ones on the lot that do. Part numbers, TSBs, etc, are very much appreciated by most service departments, especially for new issues they haven't come across yet.

People have done this...and have been told told, they are working as designed. Some have lucked out but many have not.

20L8TSierra24 · February 11, 2014

Seems like most are getting them fixed though.. If anyone in my area wants to compare vehicles, Ill meet you @ one of the local dealers anytime if you are concerned. I live in Cape Coral but willing to drive to ft/myers, punta gorda, ect if it will help anyone out.

20L8TSierra24 · February 11, 2014

If anyone wants to come to my dealer, they are aware and won't give anyone any crap about fixing them as well. They genuinely care about Chevrolet owners. Just shoot me a PM and I'll meet you there. They fixed mine as I waited.

GMCustomerService · February 11, 2014

Hello 14AllStar,

I’m sorry to hear that you are not satisfied with the service that was provided at your dealership. I would like to take a further look into this concern. Please private message your full name, phone number, address, VIN, current mileage, and involved dealership if you would like my assistance. Thank you.

Kristen A.

GM Customer Care

Silverado Steve · February 11, 2014

Seems like most are getting them fixed though.. If anyone in my area wants to compare vehicles, Ill meet you @ one of the local dealers anytime if you are concerned. I live in Cape Coral but willing to drive to ft/myers, punta gorda, ect if it will help anyone out.

I would say based on this thread, and the other LEd light thread, that they are not.

tbarn · February 12, 2014

Two radio/hvac lights out trucks fixed at our dealership.

chelmer · February 14, 2014

I had my truck in to get a new starter and I told them my lights quit working. I really thought that, but I think now that I must have remembered seeing them on one of the other trucks I test drove. They didn't question anything, just fixed it. They did tell me that they had to replace a module and described it as an upgrade. I was a little puzzled by the term upgrade but didn't question it. After reading this and other posts, it makes complete sense now. I have to say, between all the posts I've seen of people having the starter issue and this radio light thing I have gained a good bit of respect for my dealer. They fixed them both with no trouble at all.

GMCustomerService · February 14, 2014

Hello Everyone,

Here is the updated information regarding LED Radio/HVAC knobs:

At the beginning of production for the brand new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, the backlighting for the control knobs were not illuminated. There was a running change on the later production vehicles, which resulted in these rings now being illuminated. If you are the owner of one of the early model builds that the knobs do not light up, your vehicle is operating as designed. If you would, however, be interested in installing backlighting for your knobs, I would be happy to assist you. Please private message me referencing this thread if I can be of any assistance.

Jennifer T.

GM Customer Care

tbarn · February 14, 2014

I had my truck in to get a new starter and I told them my lights quit working. I really thought that, but I think now that I must have remembered seeing them on one of the other trucks I test drove. They didn't question anything, just fixed it. They did tell me that they had to replace a module and described it as an upgrade. I was a little puzzled by the term upgrade but didn't question it. After reading this and other posts, it makes complete sense now. I have to say, between all the posts I've seen of people having the starter issue and this radio light thing I have gained a good bit of respect for my dealer. They fixed them both with no trouble at all.

You're welcome

JAF1 · February 14, 2014

Anyone have a before and after type picture? I'd like to see what knobs are suppose to be illuminated.

andre9 · February 14, 2014

Hello Everyone,

Here is the updated information regarding LED Radio/HVAC knobs:

At the beginning of production for the brand new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, the backlighting for the control knobs were not illuminated. There was a running change on the later production vehicles, which resulted in these rings now being illuminated. If you are the owner of one of the early model builds that the knobs do not light up, your vehicle is operating as designed. If you would, however, be interested in installing backlighting for your knobs, I would be happy to assist you. Please private message me referencing this thread if I can be of any assistance.

Jennifer T.

GM Customer Care

How did they get the picture in the ad with the led knobs lit up. The picture in the ad had to have been taken before my truck was built. Can't take a picture of something that did not exist.