Bcm Problems And Ground G203 Location

bull516 · October 9, 2008

I have been having some serious electrical issues the past 6 months. I have pretty much narrowed it down to either a bad bcm, a faulty or loose ground, or a chafed wire somewhere on the steering column. The reason I think of these factors is how the car acts at certain times.

I initially thought that my fog lights were the cause because when I turned them on, my rear wiper would either jump or turn on. I read about the fix related to the rear wiper fluid pump, but that did not fix the problem. I pretty much just left the washer pump ground off just to keep this from continuing.

Then I noticed that my turn signal indicators on the cluster would glow slightly when my fogs were turned on. This even after the wiper problem. Just thought it was a ground issue with the wiper wash pump.

So then , the big PROBLEM. On night, after jumping in my truck, starting it up, then hitting the fogs, the car died! All the lights on the cluster went bizerk, and the car would not restart. I noticed that my turn signals would make my rear wiper go on, and that my hazard light switch illuminated my Third brake light on the tailgate, and my rear signals didnt work, and the front signals were dim. After some time, I finally got the car to restart, but it died again.

I had it towed.

The next day, it happened again. the car would not start until I disconnected and reconnected the positive on the battery. It was like something reset itself. I was able to live with this for a month or so, until it the car died last week! this time the battery disconnect did not work. I noticed at this time the horn was not working and the remote entry would make the rear wiper turn on and the tailgate brake light go on. At this point I also noticed that the fuse block under the hood had a relay or something that would trigger when I hit the button on the remote entry. I decided to wiggle the this fuse block to see if there might of been a loose connection and if the wiggle would reseat the culprit. As luck would have it, the problem cleared and I was able to start the car. As I drove away, I tried to recreate the problem. I noticed that by turning the wheel a certain degree and going a certain speed, the ABS, Brake, And turn signal lights on the dash would go on. The car did die once, but it started right back up. On the way home on the highway, I notice also that the ABS and Brake dash lights would go on over bumps at times. I made it home, and without the car dying. Since that day, the car has died on my a few more times, and I was able to restart immediately, or restart after kind of shimmying the steering wheel. I havent had a chance to get by a dealer yet, but I wanted to see it there was anything that I could do before going there.

I dont know what the heck is happening, but I need some assistance here. Thanks in advance.

Majorleaguebass · October 9, 2008

man that sounds like a loose ground wire to me, probably the one that attaches to the chassis on your left hand front fender...it behind the wheel well closer to under the drive's side door

bull516 · October 9, 2008

man that sounds like a loose ground wire to me, probably the one that attaches to the chassis on your left hand front fender...it behind the wheel well closer to under the drive's side door

h

Thanks for the fast reply! I will check that out now! That makes sense too!

bull516 · October 9, 2008

BTW, my truck is a 2002 GMC Yukon Denali 1500. 6.0L Vortec w/ride height.

I have been having some serious electrical issues the past 6 months. I have pretty much narrowed it down to either a bad bcm, a faulty or loose ground, or a chafed wire somewhere on the steering column. The reason I think of these factors is how the car acts at certain times.

I initially thought that my fog lights were the cause because when I turned them on, my rear wiper would either jump or turn on. I read about the fix related to the rear wiper fluid pump, but that did not fix the problem. I pretty much just left the washer pump ground off just to keep this from continuing.

Then I noticed that my turn signal indicators on the cluster would glow slightly when my fogs were turned on. This even after the wiper problem. Just thought it was a ground issue with the wiper wash pump.

So then , the big PROBLEM. On night, after jumping in my truck, starting it up, then hitting the fogs, the car died! All the lights on the cluster went bizerk, and the car would not restart. I noticed that my turn signals would make my rear wiper go on, and that my hazard light switch illuminated my Third brake light on the tailgate, and my rear signals didnt work, and the front signals were dim. After some time, I finally got the car to restart, but it died again.

I had it towed.

The next day, it happened again. the car would not start until I disconnected and reconnected the positive on the battery. It was like something reset itself. I was able to live with this for a month or so, until it the car died last week! this time the battery disconnect did not work. I noticed at this time the horn was not working and the remote entry would make the rear wiper turn on and the tailgate brake light go on. At this point I also noticed that the fuse block under the hood had a relay or something that would trigger when I hit the button on the remote entry. I decided to wiggle the this fuse block to see if there might of been a loose connection and if the wiggle would reseat the culprit. As luck would have it, the problem cleared and I was able to start the car. As I drove away, I tried to recreate the problem. I noticed that by turning the wheel a certain degree and going a certain speed, the ABS, Brake, And turn signal lights on the dash would go on. The car did die once, but it started right back up. On the way home on the highway, I notice also that the ABS and Brake dash lights would go on over bumps at times. I made it home, and without the car dying. Since that day, the car has died on my a few more times, and I was able to restart immediately, or restart after kind of shimmying the steering wheel. I havent had a chance to get by a dealer yet, but I wanted to see it there was anything that I could do before going there.

I dont know what the heck is happening, but I need some assistance here. Thanks in advance.

jackyshaikh · October 9, 2008

The ground G203 is located at upper left of instrument panel cluster,near A Pillar.

bull516 · October 9, 2008

The ground G203 is located at upper left of instrument panel cluster,near A Pillar.

How do i get to it? Do I need to remove the entire dash or just the cluster, or just the A Pillar cover?

jackyshaikh · October 9, 2008

Here is the pic,you see what is easy to you.

Upper Left of the I/P Components

(1)Splice Pack 203 (SP203)(2)Ground 203 (G203)(3)Dash(4)A-Pillar.

bull516 · October 10, 2008

Here is the pic,you see what is easy to you.

<A href="http://gsi.xw.gm.com/si/showDoc.do?docSyskey=403879&from=sm#oth1-403879">

Upper Left of the I/P Components

(1)Splice Pack 203 (SP203)(2)Ground 203 (G203)(3)Dash(4)A-Pillar.

Thanks for the Help! Much appreciated. I will see what I come up with.

minibike132 · October 10, 2008

Ignition Switch

bull516 · October 10, 2008

I have been having some serious electrical issues the past 6 months. I have pretty much narrowed it down to either a bad bcm, a faulty or loose ground, or a chafed wire somewhere on the steering column. The reason I think of these factors is how the car acts at certain times.

I initially thought that my fog lights were the cause because when I turned them on, my rear wiper would either jump or turn on. I read about the fix related to the rear wiper fluid pump, but that did not fix the problem. I pretty much just left the washer pump ground off just to keep this from continuing.

Then I noticed that my turn signal indicators on the cluster would glow slightly when my fogs were turned on. This even after the wiper problem. Just thought it was a ground issue with the wiper wash pump.

So then , the big PROBLEM. On night, after jumping in my truck, starting it up, then hitting the fogs, the car died! All the lights on the cluster went bizerk, and the car would not restart. I noticed that my turn signals would make my rear wiper go on, and that my hazard light switch illuminated my Third brake light on the tailgate, and my rear signals didnt work, and the front signals were dim. After some time, I finally got the car to restart, but it died again.

I had it towed.

The next day, it happened again. the car would not start until I disconnected and reconnected the positive on the battery. It was like something reset itself. I was able to live with this for a month or so, until it the car died last week! this time the battery disconnect did not work. I noticed at this time the horn was not working and the remote entry would make the rear wiper turn on and the tailgate brake light go on. At this point I also noticed that the fuse block under the hood had a relay or something that would trigger when I hit the button on the remote entry. I decided to wiggle the this fuse block to see if there might of been a loose connection and if the wiggle would reseat the culprit. As luck would have it, the problem cleared and I was able to start the car. As I drove away, I tried to recreate the problem. I noticed that by turning the wheel a certain degree and going a certain speed, the ABS, Brake, And turn signal lights on the dash would go on. The car did die once, but it started right back up. On the way home on the highway, I notice also that the ABS and Brake dash lights would go on over bumps at times. I made it home, and without the car dying. Since that day, the car has died on my a few more times, and I was able to restart immediately, or restart after kind of shimmying the steering wheel. I havent had a chance to get by a dealer yet, but I wanted to see it there was anything that I could do before going there.

I dont know what the heck is happening, but I need some assistance here. Thanks in advance.

Update.

Well, I have checked the grounds (chassis and G203) and cleaned and retightened them. Didnt notice any loose or obvious problems with them. One thing i did test was whether or not my fogs made my rear wiper jump. Low and dehold... no more jump. Dont know if the ground work did the trick or if my BCM got a realignment as I made sure its connections we tight. In any event, I will wait to see whether the issues resurface. I am planning on going to the dealer to check for codes next week.

Thanks again for the help.

bull516 · October 10, 2008

Ignition Switch

Really? Are these common symptoms of a faulty switch? Even the foglight episode?

bull516 · October 12, 2008

UPDATE 10/12:

I thought that redoing all the grounds that I found worked. But I guess not. After driving for an hour or so, I went to take my exit off of the highway, and the car dies. Does exactly what is been doing, and wont start. luckily, I was able to veer off into the parking lot of a store right at the exit. I tried my usual tricks, but nothing works this time. I tap the BCM, I wiggle the steering wheel, and I disconnect the positive on the battery. Nothing! Then I decide to wiggle the ground coming off of the battery and wiggle the positive distribution box thats mounted to the side of the motor. The demons vanish and the car starts. I make it home without another incident. Saturday morning I get in to drive my car to the dealer to see what the heck is going on. As soon as I begin to drive the car out of the parking space and make a left turn, the car dies! I only wiggle the steering wheel this time, then I instantly go to the ground and power cables under the hood. Bingo, the car is good again.

I get to the dealer, they read the codes, but nothing points to anything that should cause the car to act like this. And of course, the problem does not rear its head, even after 10 miles of driving. I was so frustrated that I left the truck there in hopes that on Monday morning the problem will awaken.

This is really starting to get old. .

Any more suggestions ??????

bossier62guy · October 12, 2008

UPDATE 10/12:

I thought that redoing all the grounds that I found worked. But I guess not. After driving for an hour or so, I went to take my exit off of the highway, and the car dies. Does exactly what is been doing, and wont start. luckily, I was able to veer off into the parking lot of a store right at the exit. I tried my usual tricks, but nothing works this time. I tap the BCM, I wiggle the steering wheel, and I disconnect the positive on the battery. Nothing! Then I decide to wiggle the ground coming off of the battery and wiggle the positive distribution box thats mounted to the side of the motor. The demons vanish and the car starts. I make it home without another incident. Saturday morning I get in to drive my car to the dealer to see what the heck is going on. As soon as I begin to drive the car out of the parking space and make a left turn, the car dies! I only wiggle the steering wheel this time, then I instantly go to the ground and power cables under the hood. Bingo, the car is good again.

I get to the dealer, they read the codes, but nothing points to anything that should cause the car to act like this. And of course, the problem does not rear its head, even after 10 miles of driving. I was so frustrated that I left the truck there in hopes that on Monday morning the problem will awaken.

This is really starting to get old. .

Any more suggestions ??????

There have been some issues in the past w/ the battery cables becoming corroded internally because of leaking AC Delco batteries. It's possible it could be causing some of your problems. Keep us posted on this one...

bull516 · June 20, 2009

UPDATE!!! Sorry for the delay, but I have great news!!

I have been meaning to post this some time ago. My problem was the ground cable that runs from the battery terminal to the front of the chassis. I found this out only when the darn thing completely disengaged from the chassis end. I was on the highway, and the gremlins showed up. I got off at the nearest exit, and the truck died as soon as I go to the bottom of the ramp. Looked under the hood, wiggled a couple of things, then I grabbed the terminal ground and it came right up from the depths of the engine. Wahlah! Has to be the problem! Sure enough, had the dealer reattach it, and have had no issues since.

Hope this works for you.

FYI, dont let the stealer ignore this possibility. Mine ignored my very descriptive clues when I explained the things I did to get the car started again. They may have visually peeked at the connection, but I assume that they did not try to test the connections physical strength. If they had, I would have save some cash and finger nails from all the nervous rides wondering when the gremlins would reappear.

bull516 · June 20, 2009

I have been having some serious electrical issues the past 6 months. I have pretty much narrowed it down to either a bad bcm, a faulty or loose ground, or a chafed wire somewhere on the steering column. The reason I think of these factors is how the car acts at certain times.

I initially thought that my fog lights were the cause because when I turned them on, my rear wiper would either jump or turn on. I read about the fix related to the rear wiper fluid pump, but that did not fix the problem. I pretty much just left the washer pump ground off just to keep this from continuing.

Then I noticed that my turn signal indicators on the cluster would glow slightly when my fogs were turned on. This even after the wiper problem. Just thought it was a ground issue with the wiper wash pump.

So then , the big PROBLEM. On night, after jumping in my truck, starting it up, then hitting the fogs, the car died! All the lights on the cluster went bizerk, and the car would not restart. I noticed that my turn signals would make my rear wiper go on, and that my hazard light switch illuminated my Third brake light on the tailgate, and my rear signals didnt work, and the front signals were dim. After some time, I finally got the car to restart, but it died again.

I had it towed.

The next day, it happened again. the car would not start until I disconnected and reconnected the positive on the battery. It was like something reset itself. I was able to live with this for a month or so, until it the car died last week! this time the battery disconnect did not work. I noticed at this time the horn was not working and the remote entry would make the rear wiper turn on and the tailgate brake light go on. At this point I also noticed that the fuse block under the hood had a relay or something that would trigger when I hit the button on the remote entry. I decided to wiggle the this fuse block to see if there might of been a loose connection and if the wiggle would reseat the culprit. As luck would have it, the problem cleared and I was able to start the car. As I drove away, I tried to recreate the problem. I noticed that by turning the wheel a certain degree and going a certain speed, the ABS, Brake, And turn signal lights on the dash would go on. The car did die once, but it started right back up. On the way home on the highway, I notice also that the ABS and Brake dash lights would go on over bumps at times. I made it home, and without the car dying. Since that day, the car has died on my a few more times, and I was able to restart immediately, or restart after kind of shimmying the steering wheel. I havent had a chance to get by a dealer yet, but I wanted to see it there was anything that I could do before going there.

I dont know what the heck is happening, but I need some assistance here. Thanks in advance.

UPDATE!!! Sorry for the delay, but I have great news!!

I have been meaning to post this some time ago. My problem was the ground cable that runs from the battery terminal to the front of the chassis. I found this out only when the darn thing completely disengaged from the chassis end. I was on the highway, and the gremlins showed up. I got off at the nearest exit, and the truck died as soon as I go to the bottom of the ramp. Looked under the hood, wiggled a couple of things, then I grabbed the terminal ground and it came right up from the depths of the engine. Wahlah! Has to be the problem! Sure enough, had the dealer reattach it, and have had no issues since.

Hope this works for you.

FYI, dont let the stealer ignore this possibility. Mine ignored my very descriptive clues when I explained the things I did to get the car started again. They may have visually peeked at the connection, but I assume that they did not try to test the connections physical strength. If they had, I would have save some cash and finger nails from all the nervous rides wondering when the gremlins would reappear.