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04 Sierra Issues

hivoltg

By hivoltg
in Ask A GM Technician

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hivoltg Enthusiast

hivoltg

Posted
Posted

I have an 04 Sierra Z71 and am experiencing a few issues. I've found the fix for a few items by searching but am wondering if the are all related.

 

1. I'm having the same speedometer issues as a lot of people here have had. I have under 70,000 miles on my truck so I assume the dealer will replace the instrument cluster for free?

 

2. My check engine light is on. When you plug a scanner into the port under the dash, the scanner acts as if it were never plugged in to the port. I thought that this would mean a defective scanner, but it was the same with 2 different units. What should I start looking for to fix this?

 

3.. One of the buttons on the left side of my steering wheel no longer lights up. All of the other radio controls on the wheel light up, except the 2 that are furthest to the left.

 

4. When I first start the truck on cold days, there is a humming noise coming from the little speaker looking thing in my ceiling. It is right above my head and close to the door. I have no idea what this is or what it's for, except to drive me nuts!

 

Other than these issues, which all started around the same time (the reason I think they might be connected in some way), I love my truck. I just want it to be as good as it was when I got it. The only other issue I've ever had is my check engine light has come on 3 times in the past. It has always been a loose gas cap. I reset the check engine light and all would be good for a few months. Do I need to replace my gas cap or what?

 

Also, was there ever a permanent fix found for the knocking steering wheel? I've had my steering shaft replaced once while the truck was still under warranty, but don't want to spend the coin on another temporary fix.

 

Sorry for all the questions but I've got to get some of these issues taken care of. I feel like my truck is falling apart on me!

 

Thanks for the help in advance

VOLT

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
I have an 04 Sierra Z71 and am experiencing a few issues. I've found the fix for a few items by searching but am wondering if the are all related.

 

1. I'm having the same speedometer issues as a lot of people here have had. I have under 70,000 miles on my truck so I assume the dealer will replace the instrument cluster for free?

 

2. My check engine light is on. When you plug a scanner into the port under the dash, the scanner acts as if it were never plugged in to the port. I thought that this would mean a defective scanner, but it was the same with 2 different units. What should I start looking for to fix this?

 

3.. One of the buttons on the left side of my steering wheel no longer lights up. All of the other radio controls on the wheel light up, except the 2 that are furthest to the left.

 

4. When I first start the truck on cold days, there is a humming noise coming from the little speaker looking thing in my ceiling. It is right above my head and close to the door. I have no idea what this is or what it's for, except to drive me nuts!

 

Other than these issues, which all started around the same time (the reason I think they might be connected in some way), I love my truck. I just want it to be as good as it was when I got it. The only other issue I've ever had is my check engine light has come on 3 times in the past. It has always been a loose gas cap. I reset the check engine light and all would be good for a few months. Do I need to replace my gas cap or what?

 

Also, was there ever a permanent fix found for the knocking steering wheel? I've had my steering shaft replaced once while the truck was still under warranty, but don't want to spend the coin on another temporary fix.

 

Sorry for all the questions but I've got to get some of these issues taken care of. I feel like my truck is falling apart on me!

 

Thanks for the help in advance

VOLT

 

  • 1 Have the cluster recycled under warranty while you still can.

     

  • 2 A good scanner should be able to access the OBDII system and tell you what the CEL is for.

     

  • 3 Others have disassembled the steering wheel and replaced the lights. Looks like you are headed that way too.

     

  • 3 The buzz you describe is likely the auto HVAC system fan in the headliner... others have had similar problems but other than just replacing it I don't know of another fix.

     

 

 

Maybe some others will chime in here. :lol:

gvbhunt Enthusiast

gvbhunt

Posted
Posted

On number 2, check to see if your cigarette lighter fuse is blown. Pretty sure that is the circuit that powers the OBDII port.

hivoltg Enthusiast

hivoltg

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On number 2, check to see if your cigarette lighter fuse is blown. Pretty sure that is the circuit that powers the OBDII port.

 

I've heard that before I sure enough my cigarette lighter doesn't work. The power port on the opposite side of the console works though. I pulled my fuse panel to see which fuse it was and I didn't see a location on the diagram for the cigarette lighter fuse. Can someone tell me which one it might be or should I just start pulling fuses and checking them until I find a blown one

 

thanks for the help guys

gvbhunt Enthusiast

gvbhunt

Posted
Posted

I am sure that there would be some sort of diagram in the manual but I would guess that it would be labeled ACC or something of that sort.

hivoltg Enthusiast

hivoltg

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I called the customer satisfaction line this morning about the instrument panel. They called the local dealership and set up an appointment to replace it on Thursday morning. I just turned 69,000 miles on my truck, so I am getting it fixed just in time!

 

Now if I can figure out what to do about this dang bumping in my steering shaft!! Was there ever a permanent fix found for this?

mxz905 Enthusiast

mxz905

Posted
Posted
I called the customer satisfaction line this morning about the instrument panel. They called the local dealership and set up an appointment to replace it on Thursday morning. I just turned 69,000 miles on my truck, so I am getting it fixed just in time!

 

Now if I can figure out what to do about this dang bumping in my steering shaft!! Was there ever a permanent fix found for this?

 

I'm on my second maybe third steering shaft replacement in my 05 and finally it looks like they may have fixed the issue. For some time GM was playing around with different lubricants and every once and awhile would replace the whole part with the latest version they came out with. The dealer replaced mine about a hear ago with one that seemed to have more of a vibration feel as apposed to a clunk. They replaced that one with the latest greatest version about 2 months ago and it seems to be far better than all the rest. Bumps, turns with or without trailer and no more clunk or vibration. Another 6 months or so of driving should tell the true story but so far so good. Truck is now out of warentee so hopefully GM has it fixed this time. The dealer said they have been using this model for some time now with no complaints.

Alljackedup408 Enthusiast

Alljackedup408

Posted
Posted

replace them som btchs all day at work.. prolly could do it blind folded...lol..

 

far as the fuse, just take a test light and look for one it doesnt light up on... good to go :lol:

hivoltg Enthusiast

hivoltg

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well fellas, here is an update on my truck.

 

The dealership took my inof and ordered me a new instrument cluster. I'm waiting on the phone call to say it has arrived at the dealer. It should be here Wednesday or Thursday

 

The fuse was blown for my cigarette lighter. The fuse is located in the fuse panel under the hood and is label cig. ltr. After replacing the fuse, the check engine light could be reset

 

The check engine light was on because of a leaking gas cap. Bought a new gas cap and have had no more issues

 

I was going to order a new steering shaft but decided I would try something I read on here first. I installed a 2" muffler clamp at the end of the shaft housing under the dash. No more clunk, rattle, vibration or play in the steering. Now my truck drives like it should

 

Thanks for all the useful info

VOLT

  • 5 months later...
hivoltg Enthusiast

hivoltg

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I was going to order a new steering shaft but decided I would try something I read on here first. I installed a 2" muffler clamp at the end of the shaft housing under the dash. No more clunk, rattle, vibration or play in the steering. Now my truck drives like it should

 

Thanks for all the useful info

VOLT

 

 

Well, it's been 6 months since I installed the clamp on my steering shaft housing and I haven't had any more issues with the bump in the steering. I also did my buddy's 04 Avalanche at the same time and it fixed his too. We both would have had to have at least one replaced by now

 

Sorry to dig up and old post but I thought this would be of interest to some of ya'll

 

Volt

bossier62guy Senior Enthusiast

bossier62guy

Posted
Posted
I was going to order a new steering shaft but decided I would try something I read on here first. I installed a 2" muffler clamp at the end of the shaft housing under the dash. No more clunk, rattle, vibration or play in the steering. Now my truck drives like it should

 

Thanks for all the useful info

VOLT

 

 

Well, it's been 6 months since I installed the clamp on my steering shaft housing and I haven't had any more issues with the bump in the steering. I also did my buddy's 04 Avalanche at the same time and it fixed his too. We both would have had to have at least one replaced by now

 

Sorry to dig up and old post but I thought this would be of interest to some of ya'll

 

Volt

 

 

Sounds like you had an issue w/ the lower steering column bearing not the steering shaft. My lower bearing is doing the same thing now that the steering shaft issue has been corrected. Thanks for the update.

hivoltg Enthusiast

hivoltg

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I was going to order a new steering shaft but decided I would try something I read on here first. I installed a 2" muffler clamp at the end of the shaft housing under the dash. No more clunk, rattle, vibration or play in the steering. Now my truck drives like it should

 

Thanks for all the useful info

VOLT

 

 

Well, it's been 6 months since I installed the clamp on my steering shaft housing and I haven't had any more issues with the bump in the steering. I also did my buddy's 04 Avalanche at the same time and it fixed his too. We both would have had to have at least one replaced by now

 

Sorry to dig up and old post but I thought this would be of interest to some of ya'll

 

Volt

 

 

Sounds like you had an issue w/ the lower steering column bearing not the steering shaft. My lower bearing is doing the same thing now that the steering shaft issue has been corrected. Thanks for the update.

 

 

All I know is that everytime the dealership installed a new ISS, the bump would go away for a while but would eventually come back. I would then go back to the dealer and have another one installed and it would fix it again. Maybe it was a mixture of the two? I don't know. All I know is what I did, fixed whatever it was that was wrong.

 

Hope this info helps someone here

 

VOLT

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