Pioneer premium (6-disc) w/XM.

 

I checked this on my '08 LS for ya. The overhead L.E.D. stayed lit even with #28 fuse removed. The only lights I noticed that went out were the lights behind the buttons for cruise control. The left side (side closest to the shifter area) was the hot side on mine. Hope you get this figured out

 

Pink wire on the 16 Pin Connector located at the #3 pin.

 

Thanks, folks. This weekend, I reallllly need to spend some time figuring this out. Driving home this evening, I did my best Martin Scorsese with my craptastic phone cam. I don't have audio on this computer, so I don't know if that came through... but this should be a quick narration of some of the strange behavior. Note that in no case were the AC lights on, nor were the steering wheel control lights, nor was the overhead LED.

clickie this link-- it should play in Windows Media Player.

 

thinking about this brought up the memory of a86 Daytona that developed some electrical issues...when the door was opened the radio would quit an the dome light would come on dim then slowly go out...then found it wouldn't start unless the brake petal was depressed.After chasing and testing found a dead power line and was going to bypas it..before I could get to it I found the cig lighter socket was loose in the console..guess what..tightened it up and all worked as advetised again! For some unknown reason ( didn't have a wiring diagram) the ground was tied in such a way that it screwed the rest of the system. MY 89 truck at one time was supposed to get some extra underdash lights but was quickly realised that you cannot tap directly into these lights, if I remember right both sides came up hot. Just some make you think stories.....

 

If this still hasn't been fixed the BCM may be your culprit still.

07-08-47-004B: Information on Body Control Module (BCM) Grounds - (Aug 13, 2009)


Subject: Information on Body Control Module (BCM) Grounds


Models: 2006-2010 GM Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks (including Saturn)

2006-2010 HUMMER H2, H3 Models

2006-2009 Saab 9-7X


The purpose of this bulletin is to inform dealers of the importance of properly protecting the vehicle BCM whenever vehicle service requires a BCM ground to be removed or replaced.

Important: A ground for the BCM may be a component that you are removing to replace or repair such as the Navigation Radio, HVAC Control, Heated/Cooled seat module, or Instrument Cluster.

Notice: Prior to disconnecting a BCM ground (or grounding component), the negative battery cable should be disconnected, or all other connectors at the BCM should be disconnected first. Failure to disconnect the battery ground prior to disconnecting any grounding components (such as the I/P Cluster providing a ground path for the BCM) will result in damage to the BCM.

If the BCM grounds are not connected, damage to the BCM will occur. Other systems controlled by the BCM may also be affected, such as an inoperative or intermittent condition in the following systems:

• Interior lighting will remain on or will not work

• Exterior lighting will remain on or will not work

• Remote keyless entry

• Door locks

• Power windows and mirrors

• Remote vehicle start

• Remote trunk release

BCM grounds can be found in various locations in the vehicle, depending on the model. For example, the BCM ground for 2008-2010 Saturn VUE is the vehicle’s instrument cluster. Before any service that requires the instrument cluster to be removed, the negative battery cable should be removed.

 

Thanks, ChevyMgr. I'm not seeing any of the explicit things being called out there, but mine could easily be classified similarly. I've never removed the BCM or the IC, but can't vouch for the dealer that hacked all those Scotchloks in the harness coming off of it. Is there any info on where the ground comes from on the HHR SS body (the example Saturn VUE may not be the same as the HHR).

Do you have any suggestions that might get me into warranty-level work for this? Or, as I've been speculating in this thread, do you think I'm hosed in that area?

 

To me the bulletin is saying "Always disconnect the negative battery cable" before unplugging anything. It's possible your BCM got shorted to ground.

 

Hmmm. I didn't read it quite that way, but if you think that's the right interpretation, then I'm fine with that. Sounds like quite a design flaw that you can't unplug part x without it causing part y to fry. I can (somewhat) understand if I needed to disconnect the battery before messing with the BCM to avoid BCM damage, but unplugging the cigarette lighter plug blowing up the BCM? That's a floating ground problem, which should have been engineered out of the car. I think I just need to sell this POS before it catches fire driving down the road. Not your fault... just venting about this POS car. The only thing they got right was the motor, and the foundation for that came from Saab/Opel. So, I wonder (since it's not in the Owner's Manual), do we have to disconnect the battery before replacing taillight bulbs? Or replacing a blown fuse?

 

Hmmmm.. no different then adding or removing anything from your desktop tower...makes sense,, when your working with low voltage electronics any stray voltage can create problems......even though the system is 12 volts I doubt the BCM is much over 5 miliv...