2005 Silverado-Durmax: electrical problem

[Coley]

Ok, I have an 2005 Silverado 2500HD with the Duramax drivetrain...a great truck overall.

However, I'm starting to have a weird electrical issue...actually there are a few, but one is a bit more annoying than the other.
First one is that now when I shut the truck off and exit it, the dash lights and radio often stay on. So one of the choices is to manually shut the radio off or dim the gauges to zero.
....but, if I go around to the passenger side and open and close the door on that side, they shut off...as they should.
I am aware that there is a 10 second delay before this stuff sometimes shuts down but that doesn't often happen...sometimes when I exit the store and come out to the truck the radio is still on, lol.

Anyone else have this happen?

the other issues have been the slow demise of initially the speedometer and then the tachometer...and the dimming of a few of the dash gauges.
This is not the problematic one tho'.

Any insight on this guys is much appreciated!!

Regards,
Coley

[95 S_Trucker]

The first issue is the door switch in the drivers door. Pretty common.

The second issue is your instrument cluster. Very common on 03-07 trucks.

[hatzie]

The door switch is built into the latch on the GMT800 trucks just like my 2005 VW. The switches fail and you can't R&R them from the latch so you have to replace the $200 latch because of a failed $2 switch.

Get the cluster rebuilt by a competent tech. It needs six, or seven with the optional transmission temp gauge, X27 stepper motors and likely needs new lamps and cracked solder joint repairs as well. The tooling to do the repairs correctly costs more than sending it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vfrw27B2nY

[Palf70Step]

My 07 did that a good bit. As mentioned, the most common issues( far as I have seen/heard) is the drivers door lock switch. What I did was spray some CRC electrical spray into the latch function and it would clear the issue , for a month or 2, then I'd have to do it again. I have read that it is a plastic switch and the greases used in it drying out and causing the switch to stick.

[Coley]

Good info so far guys...very helpful and much appreciated.

I agree, looks like it is within that door switch...noting that I can get everything to shut down if I open and close the passenger door.

So that info on spraying it with CRC electrical spray is interesting.
I wonder if it is the switch itself that cuts out?....or is it the mechanism that trips it?...probably more than likely, and whatever that looks like.

As for the Cluster...yeah, there is a company not too far from here that specializes in redoing those. The other thing that I found out is that you have to keep with the original gauge package because it seems to be attached and directly linked to the VIN # of the truck....go figure, lol.

...first the door switch tho'. I'm wondering (and shaking) about calling the local GM dealership to find out what that switch costs, lol.
Damn new vehicles....lol

if anyone has any useful tips on accessing (removing/installing/or?) this door switch, by all means weigh in !

All Good
Coley

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by hatzie

The door switch is built into the latch on the GMT800 trucks just like my 2005 VW. The switches fail and you can't R&R them from the latch so you have to replace the $200 latch because of a failed $2 switch.

Get the cluster rebuilt by a competent tech. It needs six, or seven with the optional transmission temp gauge, X27 stepper motors and likely needs new lamps and cracked solder joint repairs as well. The tooling to do the repairs correctly costs more than sending it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vfrw27B2nY

I just replaced 7 stepper motors in a 03 Escalade. ORdered kit from Amazon. Soldering iron, de-soldering tool, light bulbs, solder, needle removal tool, all for like $36.00. Have watched several videos. Not easy, nothing too difficult!!!

Did this yesterday!!!

[hatzie]

You can DIY this but...

The foil layer is a little thin. If you aren't careful of the heat when you're desoldering the steppers you can end up with a mess in a hurry.

Lots of examples of Ham handed repairs making things much worse.

[fun in dirt]

Just replaced our door latch switch in '06 Duramax dually a few weeks ago for the same issue. Fairly easy swap out; ours was on passenger side. Got it off amazon from dealership in Tx for $188.
About midnight, I was awaken by the horn blowing & alarm going off with it sitting in carport. After running outside in pj's with pistol in hand & seeing nothing around, it stopped after several seconds. Then a few days later going down road, the radio goes off & dome light comes on , like the door had opened ... only after all that did we figure out it was the latch