Drivers Information Center/Compass dark (random)
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Drivers Information Center/Compass dark (random)
My Drivers Information Center (DIC) / Compass (which is a seperate VFT) randomly has been going dark every so often.
'92 SSE
Knowing all this where is the best place to start (without getting too involved)?:
Started this past winter when it got really cold... -15 every so often I would notice my trip odometer would reset upon starting, I would get a few extra chimes.
This turned into random blanking of the both the (DIC) & Compass, HUD (which is VFT) still works while driving.
Noticed lately (once) It DIDN'T reset the Trip Odometer when it blanked. (Strange)
Master Odometer don't seem to be registering milage during these 'blackouts'.
Last week it totally died, would not take a jump, had to have it towed... could not remove positive battery cable as 2 cables seemed to be fused to the battery. Garage was able to seperate all cables from battery said inner cable welded itself to battery, all connections were (supposevely) cleaned up & terminal bolt was replaced.... seemed OK for a couple days (which wasn't unusual) but was out again yesterday & today at random.
Read about the corrosion factor on the connectors, yet I wouldn't think this could evolve from the battery ground, I had mentioned this DIC problem to the garage after the fact & they said this may had been the problem, apparently not.
Battery is about 6 years old, again don't think this would evolve from the battery.
Look to the ground in the passenger compartment?, this like a terminal block setup?
Thanks!
'92 SSE
Knowing all this where is the best place to start (without getting too involved)?:
Started this past winter when it got really cold... -15 every so often I would notice my trip odometer would reset upon starting, I would get a few extra chimes.
This turned into random blanking of the both the (DIC) & Compass, HUD (which is VFT) still works while driving.
Noticed lately (once) It DIDN'T reset the Trip Odometer when it blanked. (Strange)
Master Odometer don't seem to be registering milage during these 'blackouts'.
Last week it totally died, would not take a jump, had to have it towed... could not remove positive battery cable as 2 cables seemed to be fused to the battery. Garage was able to seperate all cables from battery said inner cable welded itself to battery, all connections were (supposevely) cleaned up & terminal bolt was replaced.... seemed OK for a couple days (which wasn't unusual) but was out again yesterday & today at random.
Read about the corrosion factor on the connectors, yet I wouldn't think this could evolve from the battery ground, I had mentioned this DIC problem to the garage after the fact & they said this may had been the problem, apparently not.
Battery is about 6 years old, again don't think this would evolve from the battery.
Look to the ground in the passenger compartment?, this like a terminal block setup?
Thanks!
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Also... Noted an occasional alternator whine via the radio... random again, though charging seems to be normal. Alt was checked by the garage & place where I bought it & tested OK.
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TY & will be the first place I check since this car is in a 'high sodium' area... not a really good place to be putting a ground, huh? Also the drivers rocker has taken quite a beating from the winters underneath the plastic ground effects, yet still doesn't seem to be taking in water.
Pics won't load on my antiquated PC & connection, but the decription is a great place to start!
Pics won't load on my antiquated PC & connection, but the decription is a great place to start!
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Give this a try and see if it helps
https://www.gmforum.com/t278980/
https://www.gmforum.com/t278980/
Read about the corrosion factor on the connectors, yet I wouldn't think this could evolve from the battery ground, I had mentioned this DIC problem to the garage after the fact & they said this may had been the problem, apparently not.
Garage says battery is A-OK, though note the corrosion at the + term I suspect a small leak.
Last edited by Bismarck318; 05-25-2009 at 09:03 PM.
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Is there any Relays associated with the DIC/Compass display? I notice that cycling the key can sometimes reset & this will come back. Tapping on the dash, will not bring it back, but sometimes stopping the car, turning it off & turning it back on will bring this to life, which makes me think it may be associated with a loose or questionable relay (but away from the display). I note relays clicking on the passenger side near the glove box upon starting.
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Ooops, '92 SSe I thought this was noted in the name block. I'll check into this, I'm not sure it'* easily accessable though (why doesn't this surprise me?) (I have had so many different vehicles in the recent past the locations of things get confusing)..
A couple of winters ago occasionally the power door locks would freeze, I would hear a relay click coming from the glove box area when either the remote or door button was pushed, but the solonoids on the doors would not work.... once it actually blew the fuse. Strangely the problem eventually pretty much went away, I only had the problem re-occour only once again last winter.
Cars run better in the cold?? These electrical & fuel problems always seem to start in the cold months.
A couple of winters ago occasionally the power door locks would freeze, I would hear a relay click coming from the glove box area when either the remote or door button was pushed, but the solonoids on the doors would not work.... once it actually blew the fuse. Strangely the problem eventually pretty much went away, I only had the problem re-occour only once again last winter.
Cars run better in the cold?? These electrical & fuel problems always seem to start in the cold months.
Last edited by Bismarck318; 06-21-2009 at 09:43 AM.
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Fast Forward to now, DIC comes on in cold weather, after driving a few miles & the heat comes on it blanks out again... strange during the hottest week of the summer it stayed on the entire week, seemed to be on more often when hot, now just the oppisite.
I would say it'* a diode, but with what happened in the summer I'm not sure.
I would say it'* a diode, but with what happened in the summer I'm not sure.
Last edited by Bismarck318; 10-16-2009 at 05:22 AM.
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