Turn Signal Fast Flash

Steve Wagner · February 1, 2020

I took my truck in this morning to complete the recall that is associated with the alternator cable / strap ? I have 3200 miles on my truck, no issues to date.

After the recall was completed today two issues came up.

1. I couldn't turn off my radio with the power button (sometimes it worked, other times it did not, but I could use the knob as volume control as well as the steering volume controls.

2. The left turn signal went in to fast flash mode when engaged. Then it would work correctly again, then it would fail again. When we got home and we were just sitting in the driveway with the truck on, the left front just started flashing intermittently and then it would stop (turn signals were not activated)

I'm not sure what checking on a strap on an alternator has to do with this, I'm wondering if they did a software update? Having electrical issues in separate systems is concerning, I'm heading to the dealership in the morning, ugh.

Steve

Smoothie · February 1, 2020

I would check the battery connections. It has been reported here that some battery cable connections at the battery were loose after the recall and need to be tightened.

Steve Wagner · February 1, 2020

13 hours ago, Smoothie said:

I would check the battery connections. It has been reported here that some battery cable connections at the battery were loose after the recall and need to be tightened.

Thanks Les, good suggestion!

I went to the dealership this morning, explained that after yesterdays service the electrical issues popped up and I'd like them to put a wrench to the battery to see if the connections were snug. Mechanic came out with a ratchet, turn, turn, turn turn - 4 turns to tighten it, he said, "yup, it was loose" I guess I have to say I'm surprised....with the battery/electrical tight tolerances these trucks have, you'd think this recall would say, "check alternator strap is tight, check battery connections are tight" The service gal didn't impress me "do you have an appointment" nope, "do you want to leave the truck" nope, I want a mechanic to check that the battery connections are tight... she huffed off and a friendly mechanic came out, we chatted, he checked it, tightened and we were cool.

These forums and folks like Les are invaluable, I'll follow up in a few days, but so far all is back to normal.

Steve

Edited February 1, 2020 by Steve Wagner

Smoothie · February 1, 2020

Glad everything worked out for ya! Sounds like you had a cool mechanic.

Steve Wagner · February 3, 2020

OK, so here's where we are at right now. I've still got the intermittent left front turn signal flash. Came out to my truck yesterday morning with it running from my remote start activation and the left front turn signal was randomly flashing (think morse code) Then driving down the road and activating the left turn signal, it fast flashed and gave me an error for the left front signal. I haven't noticed other electrical glitches .

Called the dealer and they said the recall has various levels to it, they had performed the basic, but bring it back in and they'll do more (a little disconcerting since no electrical issues were popping up before the recall was performed.....)

Will post my results after going in for service tomorrow.

Edited February 3, 2020 by Steve Wagner
grammer

Georgaina · February 4, 2020

Ugh good luck. I have a 2019 Silverado that also has some issues. GM get it right!

And you’re my neighbor, kind of. I live in New Richmond Wisconsin. My dealer’s shop is amazing, Johnson Motors in New Richmond. They have called me and emailed me several times about this newest recall and are so helpful. Good “second set of eyes” choice if you need it. They convinced me to come in Wednesday instead of my original appointment on Friday.

Steve Wagner · February 4, 2020

8 hours ago, Georgaina said:

Ugh good luck. I have a 2019 Silverado that also has some issues. GM get it right!

And you’re my neighbor, kind of. I live in New Richmond Wisconsin. My dealer’s shop is amazing, Johnson Motors in New Richmond. They have called me and emailed me several times about this newest recall and are so helpful. Good “second set of eyes” choice if you need it. They convinced me to come in Wednesday instead of my original appointment on Friday.

New Richmond is a nice place, super close to my folks over by Afton. Thanks for the suggestion, was just pondering where to go for future service. .....When you get your truck back that was issue free before the recall fix, and now it has electrical issues that are because they didn't tighten the battery and the service managers answer is for you to drop off your truck for the day so they can tear your truck apart and go deeper ("oh yeah, there are levels to this recall, parts of it have us removing the front wheel well and removing .......") DOH!, lets throw more variables at a problem that didn't even exist. How about you just say, sorry Mr Customer, I"ll have the guys walk back through those steps of the recall we did and check the connections.

Steve Wagner · February 6, 2020

Update:

Rather than take the truck back to the dealer that wanted to "dig a little deeper", I opted to pull the cover off the battery (now those are some funky plates and connections under that cover and on top of the battery) I got one full turn on the nut on the positive terminal. (keep in mind the negative got 4 ratchet turns when the mechanic checked it when I brought it back in)

After the negative was tightened most of the electrical gremlins were gone, just the morse code periodic flashing in the left front turn signal, after tightening the positive terminal I haven't had any glitches in the past two days.

Steve