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Unhooked battery to install roof lights, now i have traction failed/service stab cont

Clwnshu99

Well-Known Member
Messages
126
Location
Abingdon, MD
So I haven't posted here yet, I was waiting to get a few mods done but I could use some help. This weekend I disconnected my battery while installing a set of OEM Off Road Roof Lights that I snagged for $160 brand new on ebay. Everything went perfect but after I finished and I started the truck I have the dreaded "Traction Failed/ Serv Stability Control" display and the traction action light is lit. I'm fairly positive that there's nothing actually wrong, in fact I'l hold blame since i hooked the battery back up before plugging in my 4wd controls on the radio bezel (which was removed to install the oem switch). First thought to everyone's head is bad BCM, I'm sure. However, when I bought the truck two months ago thanks to the clogged sunroof drains, my BCM was bad and it got replaced under warranty.

So Basically what I'm asking is how to reset these lights? I have a halfway decent scanner but apparently it doesn't do BCM reset. I wasn't sure if there is a trick or if I need a dealer scanner, which I can get access to, it just might be a little more hassle. I've searched to no avail but I'm feeling like I'm also going to upgrade my terminals as a precaution if nothing else.

Btw, heres a pic.. 07 tactical, leveled, 33s, 30" lightbar, OEM roof lights, Realwheels billet hood handles, and side marker and tail guards (not pictured):

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**side note: just realized the roof lights weren't bolted down in the top pic and the harness is hanging down the door lol
 

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Clwnshu99

Well-Known Member
Messages
126
Location
Abingdon, MD
Thanks! I'm heading home now so I'll unhook it again for a longer period of time. As far as replacement terminals go, are any better recommended than others?
 

Chook

Well-Known Member
Messages
706
Location
Brisbane (Australia)
Normal............ Happens when battery runs flat also. Just needs to reset the computer for it to realize its all ok next time you start.
 

Hunner

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,334
Location
Arkansas
Did you install the lights per the GM instructions, pulling the fuse box out and inserting the wiring from the bottom? If so there could be an issue of how it is re-seated.
If you just hard wired them somehow, that's not it. lol

I stand firm in the decision to have the ends crimped hydraulically rather than any emergency clamping terminal with a bolt or any with inserts made for audio application.
The wire needs to be fully engaged and compressed to carry the rated amperage of that gauge wire.

A strong physical connection is a full electrical contact connection.
If you can't get the tools go to an alternator/starter shop and don't let them try to solder them with a torch!

You may find some suggestions in this thread to see my point.
http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/forum/showthread.php?523-Hunner-version-Alpha-dual-batteries
 
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Clwnshu99

Well-Known Member
Messages
126
Location
Abingdon, MD
Normal............ Happens when battery runs flat also. Just needs to reset the computer for it to realize its all ok next time you start.
So is that all I need to do, is just unhook the battery for an extended period of time? How long? I never got a chance to get to it yesterday, last minute Christmas shopping :gaah:

Did you install the lights per the GM instructions, pulling the fuse box out and inserting the wiring from the bottom? If so there could be an issue of how it is re-seated.


Yes, I went by way of the instructions, as nerve racking as it was it really wasnt that bad. I had some trouble getting it reseated at first because the rolling retainers on the sides of the multipin connecters under the fuses kept rolling on me, but once I took a breather and stepped back I realized what my hold up was and it basically fell into place.
 
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Clwnshu99

Well-Known Member
Messages
126
Location
Abingdon, MD
Well, I left the negative on the battery unhooked all night, came out this morning before work and hooked it back up. The lights and display were still there, no 4wd selection was lit (same as before) and my radio stations were all still saved ?! My clock was wrong which was expected but Im kind of mind boggled that the radio stations remained. Any reason why? Factory non nav unit.
 

zackcrum

Well-Known Member
Messages
543
Location
Corinth MS
Hmm I thing some of those units have a battery in them(i could be wrong) check to see if you have your 4wd plug in good.
 

Guerrero

Well-Known Member
Messages
124
Location
Spain
Ok, I had the same problem one day that we put the car on jack stand and start to run it fpr a few minutes, the stabilitrack, traction control and abs lights turn on..the solution was easy, put the car on road and run with it, in 2 miles the lights turn off itselves.
Try this, because I think the problem was to connect the battery before to connect the 4x4
module control.
 

Clwnshu99

Well-Known Member
Messages
126
Location
Abingdon, MD
Still no dice, I disconnected the neg of the battery overnight, and came out the next morning only to find the light lit back up. Perhaps, it is grounding somewhere else? Hence why the radio stations stay current and the 4wd controls doesn't reset? I'l try that and if not I'l take it to my buddy who works at the dealer and kick him a few bucks to reset it with his scanner.
 

PreferredChassisFab

Yosemite Sam
Messages
168
Location
Tucson, AZ
Disconnecting the battery alone will not force the ECU to reset its "adaptive memory". Since the ECU has a stored energy capability (capacitance) to keep it memory alive during power loss, stored energy needs to be dissipated to force the ECU to "Relearn" its "adaptive memory". Simply remove the positive (+) battery cable and touch to a known ground for 30 seconds. Reconnect positive cable and restart engine. All operator settings will need to be reset. Hopefully this helps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Clwnshu99

Well-Known Member
Messages
126
Location
Abingdon, MD
Update: Took my truck to my buddy at the dealer and had him use his scantool to reset the light. Continually showed back up with a code (EBCM C0268 Class 2 Error Report) basically saying there was a break in the system. We reset it a few times but it would come right back up. I went home and pulled my radio bezel back off to double check the 4wd plug connection and everything seemed ok. The 4wd unit was warm, I presume from the back lit lighting (which does light up, so its getting power.) Im not sure where to go from here, I think I've read that problems from the bad oem terminals could result in similar issues, so I checked my terminals. No matter how tight my negative was tightened, it was very easy to wiggle right off. So I went ahead and ordered two new, heavy duty enclosed terminals which are on their way. Hopefully maybe, shot in the dark, that will fix it..
 

CaddyStrophic

Well-Known Member
Messages
413
Location
United States
I've had two H3s do this after working on the suspension or transmission. I just use a scanner to clear the codes and drive away. eventually the warning lights just went off. Are your lights still on?
 

Clwnshu99

Well-Known Member
Messages
126
Location
Abingdon, MD
Yes they are still on. The only thing that i unhooked that I see relevant is the 4wd controls. I just re-double checked the plug to make sure no pins were bent over. All looks perfect. I guess I will try replacing the unit.
 

reaper

Well-Known Member
Messages
527
Location
Denver, Colorado
This may or may not help you or be the case, but here goes: I had that error message on for a LONG time, couldn't figure it out, then an ABS fault light came on... then transfer case wouldn't shift (just posted about that!) turns out it was a wheel speed sensor-- fixed that and everything worked. The stealership was kind enough to run the scan tool and see that the speed sensor wasn't working on one wheel without a service appointment. That did not show up in the O'Reilly Auto Parts scan tool, only the big expensive dealership one. So I'd check wheel speed sensors prior to replacing anything!
 

Clwnshu99

Well-Known Member
Messages
126
Location
Abingdon, MD
At this point Im willing to try anything. I just ordered a second 4wd control unit that I found cheap (here) just to give that a shot. Do you by chance remember which wheel it was?
 

Clwnshu99

Well-Known Member
Messages
126
Location
Abingdon, MD
*Update: Really looking for some guidance because Im not really sure where to go next from here. What I've tried so far:
-Double checking connections
-Disconnect battery for 10 minutes
-Disconnect battery overnight and charged battery
-Triple checked 4wd selector connection and checked for bent pins or other damage
-Checked for sticking buttons
-replaced both terminals with quality aftermarket terminals
-Checked transfer case connection, unplugged and plugged back in
-Replaced 4wd selector button unit

Also note about a month prior my BCM was replaced at the dealer due to sunroof drains being clogged,both were repaired under warranty, so I highly doubt that it is bad again. Also twice now since this problem has arose, my drivers door lock has been finicky where all of my doors will unlock except my drivers door, although the last time is the only time I really paid attention to it and it was a super cold day and I had just washed the truck. All of the water was freezing as soon as it hit the truck pretty much, so I dont know if it froze the lock or something, just keeping an open mind.

On a more positive note..I fixed my sunroof rattle :)
 

prc

Fly in the ointment
Messages
52
Location
Houston, TX
Sorry for jumping in out of the blue here, but you may want to pull the fuse box again...

I pulled the fuse box a few years ago to install the wires for the factory light sets and ended up with the same problem. In the end it was a pin bent over when the fuse box re-seated. I thought I wouold go cross-eyed loking at all of them, but I did find one that didn't seat properly. I straightened it with some needle nose pliers and plugged it in again. Problem gone, never to return.

Maybe worth a shot?
 

Clwnshu99

Well-Known Member
Messages
126
Location
Abingdon, MD
Sorry for jumping in out of the blue here, but you may want to pull the fuse box again...

I pulled the fuse box a few years ago to install the wires for the factory light sets and ended up with the same problem. In the end it was a pin bent over when the fuse box re-seated. I thought I wouold go cross-eyed loking at all of them, but I did find one that didn't seat properly. I straightened it with some needle nose pliers and plugged it in again. Problem gone, never to return.

Maybe worth a shot?


That's actually exactly my plans for this afternoon. I was thinking about that all morning. Thank you!
 

Clwnshu99

Well-Known Member
Messages
126
Location
Abingdon, MD
Sorry for jumping in out of the blue here, but you may want to pull the fuse box again...

I pulled the fuse box a few years ago to install the wires for the factory light sets and ended up with the same problem. In the end it was a pin bent over when the fuse box re-seated. I thought I wouold go cross-eyed loking at all of them, but I did find one that didn't seat properly. I straightened it with some needle nose pliers and plugged it in again. Problem gone, never to return.

Maybe worth a shot?

Checked my fuse box...and whattya know?! A bent pin! I'm so relieved! Almost seems wrong without the amber traction light and fault message flashing in my face now at night, guess I was getting used to it, haha.

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Thanks everyone for all the help, I guess now I can work on a build thread.
 

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