Help, Gauges on Start acting up - TBSSOWNERS.com Forums - The #1 TrailblazerSS Dedicated Owners Forum

djdalite · Jan-18-12, 08:01 PM

maybe im just retarded so forgive my ignorance but...

For the last few weeks Ive been noticing that my headlights will turn on when i start my SS. Normally I would have to put the car in gear for the lights to turn on - day or night - now it seems they just turn on at start, this is after the car sits a while. If i turn it off and back on then it will act as normal or if i drive about town, but if my car sits over night or for 3-4hours then they seem to turn on when i turn the key. Also Ive noticed at start that my shift/gear selection on the dash will zoom from right to left (1 through P), it never use to do that, it was always just starts and displays the P lit up or so i thought. Its not a huge deal i just don't know if im going crazy or this is something normal. Its kind of annoying because sometimes i don't notice it and the ballast to my HID's might not power up right, im guessing from a lack of voltage vs. if the cars running and i shift into gear.

tbssrageboost · Jan-18-12, 08:50 PM

Got a short somewhere maybe

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BBA · Jan-19-12, 03:34 AM

Unhook the battery for about 1/2 hour. As well, each function is CPU controlled, a weak battery will also cause these weird electrical things.

kcdiehl · Jan-19-12, 03:45 AM

I had a 2003 s10 blazer the battery was weak and it did some real crazy stuff like that for 3 or 4 days unitl the battery died completely.

djdalite · Jan-19-12, 08:54 AM

Hmm I guess I'll try the battery thing however it's not that old I replaced it probably 6months ago, also there's no hesitation with starting, which is what it did last time before it went out.

I'm not sure how or what could be shorted, I haven't done anything except a tune and CIA

caroutisine · Jan-19-12, 10:05 AM

I will just say it does not seem normal. Mine has never done anything as you describe. We need a smile for the "ingition switch" since that answer may be coming soon from someone. Seems these trucks do crazy things when the ignition switch is on it's way out. I've been lucky, no electrical problems on mine since new.

djdalite · Jan-19-12, 11:08 AM

Here's a small video to show what happens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpny4...e_gdata_player

blaine · Jan-19-12, 01:14 PM

I would guess ignition switch after viewing the video.

**TWO-TONS-OF-FUN** · Jan-19-12, 01:32 PM

so the concern is that the prndl dances back to park, and that the headlights come on when you hit the key....

do you have some sort of drl killer on the truck? that was installed with the hid's... or any other stereo, or electrical work done in the last 6 months.

djdalite · Jan-19-12, 05:48 PM

Nope no drl. Still stock just CIA and tune since I first got it like 3yrs ago

TrailBlazer SS AWD · Jan-19-12, 05:48 PM

The answer to you problem is in your video. You need to Check Washer Fluid. That will just screw up all kind of stuff.

marksdaleblvd · Jan-19-12, 09:33 PM

So you are running HIDs without a DRL Killer? How did you hook them up? My gauges have gone crazy before, but when mine do the service stabilitrak light comes on too. Mine was tune related.

djdalite · Jan-19-12, 10:46 PM

Lol I don't think the washer fluid is the issue.

My ballast where PnP just hooks up to stock plugs. Tune hasn't been an issue since I got it, car runs great.

Today it did it every time i started the car, maybe cause its cold here in FL right now.

Branndonw · Jan-19-12, 11:07 PM

When your headlamps come on, is the "headlamp on" indicator illuminated on the switch?

djdalite · Jan-19-12, 11:12 PM

Yes

Branndonw · Jan-19-12, 11:17 PM

And this happens as soon as you turn the key on?

**TWO-TONS-OF-FUN** · Jan-20-12, 06:45 AM

it looks like it happens when the gauges do their full sweep and back to home at start up...

it may be a cluster issue... or even a shift indicator switch thats out of alignment.

djdalite · Jan-20-12, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Branndonw

And this happens as soon as you turn the key on?

Did ya watch the vid? Yes.

It will do it even if I don't start the car and just put it to run. Its doing it more frequently now, almost every time I start the car. Other than it sweeping back on start the car runs fine and gears are indicated correctly. There's no hesitation or funky starts.

Should I ask the dealer to replace the ignition switch? I remember seeing a how to on swapping it out, it didn't look to hard, anyone have that?

Glocksrfun · Jan-20-12, 09:29 AM

You call that cold? Come on up to Wisconsin. Is the lights on in gear thing an option in the DIC? If that was the only issue, I'd say that. To bad the gear lights don't stay going back and forth night rider style. That's a mod I would do.

Branndonw · Jan-20-12, 10:21 AM

Next time you get a chance, when you turn the key to run and the headlamps come on, unplug the connectors on the back of the headlamp switch and see if the headlamps go off.