Instrument Cluster Flash

rich22 · December 6, 2006

2004 2500HD 2WD Duramax/Allison

Today I took my truck to the local dealership to have the BCM and the Instrument Cluster flashed to use the my recently installed Radio Control equipped steering column.

When the tech attempted to flash the cluster with the new calibration, he got an error message (which he didnt share w me) and now the cluster will not respond to a Tech 2, it will not display any information and seems "dead". Is there a way to recover from this?

Thanks,

Richard

GM-Tech · December 6, 2006

If a programming event encounters an error of any kind during programming, it can be the end of that particular module. Not always, but it does happen. I don't know what happened in this case. Would be nice to know the error, but often times it's just a bunch of numbers that we are unable to decipher and have to call Techline for help.

My first step would be to try powering down the module in question. Disconnect the battery to be sure you've removed all power inputs to the cluster. Then reconnect the battery and see if you can communicate with the cluster. If you can't communicate with it at all, obviously it can't be programmed.

Do you have ANY aftermarket electronic equipment? If you do and it's in any way connected to the data line, this stuff can often wake up during a programming event and interrupt the process, causing the problem you are experiencing. Also, low battery voltage during programming can cause this problem.

rich22 · December 6, 2006

I have a Sirius Sat. Radio tuner that plugs straight into the back of the radio, and is controlled from the buttons on the factory radio. I also had an aftermarket programmer (Hypertech) recalibrate the speedo when I went up a few tire sizes last year. Think that could have an effect?

If a programming event encounters an error of any kind during programming, it can be the end of that particular module. Not always, but it does happen. I don't know what happened in this case. Would be nice to know the error, but often times it's just a bunch of numbers that we are unable to decipher and have to call Techline for help.

My first step would be to try powering down the module in question. Disconnect the battery to be sure you've removed all power inputs to the cluster. Then reconnect the battery and see if you can communicate with the cluster. If you can't communicate with it at all, obviously it can't be programmed.

Do you have ANY aftermarket electronic equipment? If you do and it's in any way connected to the data line, this stuff can often wake up during a programming event and interrupt the process, causing the problem you are experiencing. Also, low battery voltage during programming can cause this problem.

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GM-Tech · December 6, 2006

I have a Sirius Sat. Radio tuner that plugs straight into the back of the radio, and is controlled from the buttons on the factory radio. I also had an aftermarket programmer (Hypertech) recalibrate the speedo when I went up a few tire sizes last year. Think that could have an effect?

I don't know if the Sirius radio would be a problem. It could be and the best thing to do would be to unplug it from the radio before trying to program the cluster.

I don't see the speedo recalibrate having anything to do with this, but again, when you start messing with non-factory type mods, who knows what can happen. These darn things are just too sensitive to too many things. This hypertech thing isn't something that remains connected, it is?

rich22 · December 6, 2006

No, the hypertech plugs into the OBDII port, does its magic, and then never has to be used again. It would be easy enough for me to bring the programmer to the dealership and undo any changes it made.

I will go tomorrow and unplug the sirius tuner, so thats out of the equation.

He also had errors when trying to program the BCM, the tech 2 gave him some "numbers" that he called the techline with to try and decipher.

If my cluster turns out to be dead due to the flashing error, should I ask the dealership to replace it at no charge (im out of mileage warranty)?

I have a Sirius Sat. Radio tuner that plugs straight into the back of the radio, and is controlled from the buttons on the factory radio. I also had an aftermarket programmer (Hypertech) recalibrate the speedo when I went up a few tire sizes last year. Think that could have an effect?

I don't know if the Sirius radio would be a problem. It could be and the best thing to do would be to unplug it from the radio before trying to program the cluster.

I don't see the speedo recalibrate having anything to do with this, but again, when you start messing with non-factory type mods, who knows what can happen. These darn things are just too sensitive to too many things. This hypertech thing isn't something that remains connected, it is?

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GM-Tech · December 6, 2006

He also had errors when trying to program the BCM, the tech 2 gave him some "numbers" that he called the techline with to try and decipher.

That strengthens the theory that something is interrupting the programming process. I would bet on the Sirius rather than the calibration you had done.

If my cluster turns out to be dead due to the flashing error, should I ask the dealership to replace it at no charge (im out of mileage warranty)?

Now maybe everyone will understand why we don't like working on vehicles that are modified. Personally, I would tell you that your modifications, which were unknown to us, caused this problem and it's not our fault or foreseable, therefore we're not responsible. If you had advised them of the mods beforehand, that may change things a bit. Of course it all would depend on whether or not the mods are the actual root cause.

Will they accept it as their fault or tell you tough luck? Well, you can ask, that's for sure, but I can't tell you what their answer will be.

rich22 · December 6, 2006

Thank you SO much for your time and thought.

Hopefully things will be better tomorrow after we disconnect the extra stuff.

Worse comes to worse, Ill just be nice about it and hope to get everything going again as soon as possible.

Thank you again for your input.

Richard

He also had errors when trying to program the BCM, the tech 2 gave him some "numbers" that he called the techline with to try and decipher.

That strengthens the theory that something is interrupting the programming process. I would bet on the Sirius rather than the calibration you had done.

If my cluster turns out to be dead due to the flashing error, should I ask the dealership to replace it at no charge (im out of mileage warranty)?

Now maybe everyone will understand why we don't like working on vehicles that are modified. Personally, I would tell you that your modifications, which were unknown to us, caused this problem and it's not our fault or foreseable, therefore we're not responsible. If you had advised them of the mods beforehand, that may change things a bit. Of course it all would depend on whether or not the mods are the actual root cause.

Will they accept it as their fault or tell you tough luck? Well, you can ask, that's for sure, but I can't tell you what their answer will be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

rich22 · December 6, 2006

**UPDATE** After we removed the Sirius Sat Radio (SIRGM1) controller from the back of the radio, the BCM took the program and the radio controls work. The IC is dead, I had to buy a new one from Technicar. Lesson learned. Im going to call Sirius and ask them to add a warning to the documentation of the SIRGM1 unit.

Thanks,

Richard