Replaced stereo in truck, now it won't start.

[SlitheryDee]

Ok so here's what happened. I have a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab without the factory Bose studio system. I bought a new stereo from crutchfield which included a wiring harness and install kit. Before beginning I disconnected the negative terminal from the vehicle battery.



I followed the instructions that came with the install kit to the letter, reassembled everything and reconnected the battery terminal. I didn't care about onstar or steering wheel controls so I didn't even mess with any of that in the installation. The radio works fine when I turn the key on, but now my instrument panel is going haywire and when I attempt to start the truck all I get is a click with absolutely no attempt to turn over.



The instrument panel says things like "stabilitrack", "steering assist is reduced. Drive with care", and "fuel low" (even though I have plenty of fuel) over and over again. In my internet research I've found that the act of disconnecting the battery terminal itself sometimes causes these problems, with various methods of solving them around.



I've tried disconnecting the battery completely for 30 minutes before attempting to start with no luck. I've checked all the fuses to see if that was the problem with nothing seeming to be amiss. I've even tried the various procedures for getting a vehicle out of "theft mode" with no luck. Now I'm out of ideas. Anyone have any experience with something like this?

 

[SparkyJJO]

What happens if you plug the original radio back in?

Any relatively modern car has a data bus system in it (my 02 does even). To put an aftermarket radio in the harness has to be able to decode and communicate on that data bus. It is entirely possible the harness is defective and throwing garbage on the data bus.

When the 4x4 control computer module on my 02 Trailblazer failed it apparently started spewing garbage on that data bus. Other systems seemed to ignore it OK but my aftermarket radio harness didn't do so well and it would literally randomly turn the radio off. Only way I figured it out was after changing that computer to fix my non-functional 4x4 I haven't had the radio cut out since and this was several years ago now.

Just a thought.

 

[SlitheryDee]

What happens if you plug the original radio back in?

Any relatively modern car has a data bus system in it (my 02 does even). To put an aftermarket radio in the harness has to be able to decode and communicate on that data bus. It is entirely possible the harness is defective and throwing garbage on the data bus.

When the 4x4 control computer module on my 02 Trailblazer failed it apparently started spewing garbage on that data bus. Other systems seemed to ignore it OK but my aftermarket radio harness didn't do so well and it would literally randomly turn the radio off. Only way I figured it out was after changing that computer to fix my non-functional 4x4 I haven't had the radio cut out since and this was several years ago now.

Just a thought.

Ok so your post got me on the right troubleshooting path at least. I reconnected the radio and it did nothing, but the onstar system on the other hand...When I said I didn't do anything with the onstar system what I should have said is that I disconnected and removed it from the vehicle and skipped anything to do with it in the stereo installation instructions. Turns out that for some incomprehensible reason the truck won't start without it at least being plugged in. So now everything's gravy. I'm going to need to do some further alterations to the dash so the receiver fits with the onstar box still inside, but at least the truck works now. Thanks!

 

[SparkyJJO]

Glad to help, even if it was in an indirect way

Probably some sort of system test occurs or something else is routed through that box and with it removed there's just this hole in the data stream.

 

[Slacker]

OnStar is integrated into every function in the vehicle.
It is how they can unlock your car for you, how they know you were in an accident and know where you are so they can send directions to your nav, and so much more.

 

[SlitheryDee]

OnStar is integrated into every function in the vehicle.
It is how they can unlock your car for you, how they know you were in an accident and know where you are so they can send directions to your nav, and so much more.

You know, I was aware that Onstar was capable of doing all that. What doesn't make sense to me is that Onstar is an integral part of the functioning of all those components. Why not have all those systems be self sufficient and let the Onstar box just be capable of plugging into them and issuing commands to them? Why make everything a big interdependent web where if one link is gone nothing else works?

 

[nakedfrog]

You know, I was aware that Onstar was capable of doing all that. What doesn't make sense to me is that Onstar is an integral part of the functioning of all those components. Why not have all those systems be self sufficient and let the Onstar box just be capable of plugging into them and issuing commands to them? Why make everything a big interdependent web where if one link is gone nothing else works?

Auto industry isn't great with fancy new tech.

 

[Pulsar]

Auto industry isn't great with fancy new tech.

Onstar isn't new tech. It's nearly a decade old. Automakers don't design a car with an eye toward the owner taking it apart, that's all.

 

[DaTT]

Glad you got this sorted out.

When I installed a new head unit in my Mustang, something very similar happened. I forgot to plug in one of the harnesses (I think it was the TCS) and I got extremely odd dash board warnings.

 

[mpo]

Ok so your post got me on the right troubleshooting path at least. I reconnected the radio and it did nothing, but the onstar system on the other hand...When I said I didn't do anything with the onstar system what I should have said is that I disconnected and removed it from the vehicle and skipped anything to do with it in the stereo installation instructions. Turns out that for some incomprehensible reason the truck won't start without it at least being plugged in. So now everything's gravy. I'm going to need to do some further alterations to the dash so the receiver fits with the onstar box still inside, but at least the truck works now. Thanks!

Onstar has remote shutdown and engine controls built into the system. Doesn't make a lot of sense to have these security features if they can be defeated by unplugging the Onstar system.

 

[nakedfrog]

Onstar isn't new tech. It's nearly a decade old. Automakers don't design a car with an eye toward the owner taking it apart, that's all.

It was fancy new tech when it came out
Honestly, I'd still consider if fancy new tech as far as the auto industry is concerned. I mean, I think they do have decent in-car navigation available these days... but last I heard the map upgrade process was still remarkably stupid/expensive (hopefully that's finally changed?)

 

[core2slow]

This is the downside to having HAL living in your car.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Onstar has remote shutdown and engine controls built into the system. Doesn't make a lot of sense to have these security features if they can be defeated by unplugging the Onstar system.

You know, when I hooked the onstar system back up I didn't bother connecting the antenna. Doesn't that effectively defeat the remote security features as well?

 

[mpo]

You know, when I hooked the onstar system back up I didn't bother connecting the antenna. Doesn't that effectively defeat the remote security features as well?

My best guess is that OnStar assumes that cell service is not available at all times. There is no need for the system to phone home to start or stay running. Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if the system could still get cell service in an area with a strong signal even if the external antenna is not attached.

A quick look at the OnStar terms and conditions states that the system requires wireless communication systems and GPS. If they are not available, OnStar won't work.