Gauges and Message Center Going Crazy

[maronha]

So, for the past couple weeks I have been noticing my gauges and message center going nuts on startup. When I start up then shift to Drive is when it starts to happen. You will see the shift never light up drive, the message center starts showing different messages, and the tpms I am posting a video. I have not done any trouble shooting or testing of anything but thought I would post the video to see if other have had similar issues. Now my battery is probably going on 5 years old, so I am leaning thinking that is possible issue. I know with my Volvos, when the battery gets weak the dash lights will start to do similar things like this. This weekend I will try to test the battery. Another thing I noticed is when I remote start and then unlock to get in the truck that the truck will shut off when I open the door. This did not happen before.

 

 

https://youtu.be/gZ4SGQrXJKk

[rav3]

I would suggest 2 things.

1. Test your battery. At 5 years for a lead acid battery it's at the end of it's life. With all the electronics on modern cars, it's common for electrical issues when voltage drops, especially at startup when so many amps are pulled.

2. Inspect & clean all grounds. A major issue with these GM trucks. 

Several good videos on YouTube on this. I actually added 2 additional engine grounds on my '17 based on this video.

 

 

 

good luck

 

 

 

Edited February 20, 2025 by rav3

[maronha]

12 hours ago, rav3 said:

I would suggest 2 things.

1. Test your battery. At 5 years for a lead acid battery it's at the end of it's life. With all the electronics on modern cars, it's common for electrical issues when voltage drops, especially at startup when so many amps are pulled.

2. Inspect & clean all grounds. A major issue with these GM trucks. 

Several good videos on YouTube on this. I actually added 2 additional engine grounds on my '17 based on this video.

 

good luck

 Thanks for the videos! I found a similar one talking about the grounds. I will test the battery, but I am just going to replace it anyway. Although it starts fine, the last time I had to replace the original battery it stranded me. Left for work and stopped for coffee and when I came back out to leave it was dead not even a click. 

Edited February 21, 2025 by maronha

[maronha]

So today I went out and tested the battery and it tested ok. This issue only happens when the gear sifter is moved for some reason. Will check the grounds later when it warms up. 

[rav3]

How did u check the battery? 

[maronha]

On 2/22/2025 at 11:34 AM, rav3 said:

How did u check the battery? 

I just used my multimeter and watched it as I started the truck. Which the truck doesn't have any issues starting. I probably should have gone and had it tested with a load tester. Anyways the battery is just about 4.5 years old. I went ahead and replaced the battery today with a fresh one just due to age. The new battery did not make any difference. Still doing the same thing. Remember this issue only happens when I shift into gear. My next step is to check the grounds. Then I will try to be observant when I am driving to see if I notice any gauge malfunction like it does at start up.

[richard wysong]

Did you check for any BCM codes?

[kickass audio]

double check your ground at the top of the dashboard near the speaker and your VIN tag. That ground is the big one that controls your dashboard and can cause flaky connectivity like you're experiencing. You can also try to bang on the dash and see if you can rattle anything around to trigger the issue.

[maronha]

1 hour ago, richard wysong said:

Did you check for any BCM codes?

Have not. I don't think I can do that with my cheap ODB ll code reader. Since we have an auto shop with mechanics where I work my Plan is to drive it to work and get them to scan it. I will make sure to check the BCM codes. 

[maronha]

1 hour ago, kickass audio said:

double check your ground at the top of the dashboard near the speaker and your VIN tag. That ground is the big one that controls your dashboard and can cause flaky connectivity like you're experiencing. You can also try to bang on the dash and see if you can rattle anything around to trigger the issue.

Thank you. I do plan to check the grounds tomorrow. I watched the video that was posted in this thread. Just trying to get this problem situated without going to the dealer. 

[maronha]

Talked to the mechanic at work and he said he will scan it for me Friday to see if there are any codes. 

[maronha]

Back with a little update. I read that LED aftermarket lights can sometimes affect the gauges and cause issues. So I decided to switch back to stock headlights to see if that was the problem and I have not had the problem since doing that. Seems a little weird it just started happening after running the led lights for  5 month.