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Special Coverage #14311: Negative Battery Cable (includes Holden)

331922 Views 279 Replies 106 Participants Last post by  Blasirl
Just got notified of another special coverage. I don't have the details yet but it's to resolve the loose Negative Battery Cable some people are experiencing. We have had many members report problems with this cable and its connections. I'll post more information when I receive it.

#14311: Special Coverage Adjustment - Negative Battery Cable Loose - (Dec 3, 2014)
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Subject:14311 — Special Coverage Adjustment – Negative Battery Cable Loose
Models:2011-2015 Chevrolet Cruze
[HR][/HR]ConditionOn certain 2011–2015 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles, the negative battery cable terminal clamp may have an insufficient crimp at the battery negative terminal. Over time, the internal resistance increases and vehicle electrical systems do not receive adequate power.
With this condition, the following effects are possible: the Radio/HVAC Display may turn off and on; the Antilock Brake System, Service Traction System, Service Stabilitrac and Steering vehicle messages may come on and off; the turn signal sound may not be heard; “Battery Saver Active” and “Service Steering” may display in the Driver Information Center (DIC); and the interior and exterior lighting may flicker. Power steering assist may also be lost, and greater effort may be needed to turn the steering wheel at low speeds or while the vehicle is stopped.
Special Coverage AdjustmentThis special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 120,000 miles (193,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership.
Dealers will replace the battery negative cable, which will now require a bolt to fasten the small regulated voltage cable. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.
For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after December 4, 2014 are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to December 4, 2014 must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.
Vehicles InvolvedAll involved vehicles are identified by Vehicle Identification Number on the Applicable Warranties section in GM Global Warranty Management system. Dealership service personnel should always check this site to confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections and/or repairs. It is important to routinely use this tool to verify eligibility because not all similar vehicles may be involved regardless of description or option content.
@gyrfalcon found the link at NHTSA for this coverage adjustment. It's a PDF with more detail. Thank you.

Another Link: TSB #14311

EDIT: Adding 2011-2015 Holden Cruze Service Bulletin for similar coverage:
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We are talking about the cable that runs from the negative post directly to the front cross member where it's bolted on. That's the cable that gets replaced. Are you sure you've got the right cable?
Dealers will replace the battery negative cable, which will now require a bolt to fasten the small regulated voltage cable.
Anyone got pics on what the old and new cable looks like?
I just received the notice in the mail about "the negative battery cable terminal clamp may have an insufficient crimp at the battery" which may cause a host of electrical issues as most of us are already aware. I guess I thought that this was an issue with the early model Cruze. Apparently they did not learn from their mistake? Some of the potential failures include loosing power steering, ABS and Stabilitrac.

I cannot for the life of me figure out how this is not a full blown recall level issue?
It is eerily similar to the ignition switch recall that was so late to be issued.
The funny thing is they do not want you to take it in to get fixed "unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition as described above."

All that being said it is an easy fix that I could do myself and likely will, but it should be taken care of by GM without waiting for failure.
hmm, im getting intermittent 'service side detection system' warning...
hmm, im getting intermittent 'service side detection system' warning...
I am not sure how the sensors on the system work but I wonder if the snow and road salt interfere with them?
I cannot for the life of me figure out how this is not a full blown recall level issue?
It is eerily similar to the ignition switch recall that was so late to be issued.
You've answered your own question. It hasn't been ten years yet and no one has died from the problem. I'm sure corporate just views this as a QC issue with the supplier. Also, the complaints at NHTSA haven't hit a critical level, so government will take no action either.
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I thought that this was an issue with the early model Cruze. Apparently they did not learn from their mistake?
IIRC, the notice came out in December. By that time some 2015s were already out the door.



I cannot for the life of me figure out how this is not a full blown recall level issue?
It is eerily similar to the ignition switch recall that was so late to be issued.
Is it a safety issue? I think a big issue with the ignition switch is that it caused the air bags to be disabled.
IIRC, the notice came out in December. By that time some 2015s were already out the door.
Is it a safety issue? I think a big issue with the ignition switch is that it caused the air bags to be disabled.
I do not know how long GM has known of this issue or how wide spread the issue really is? Apparently bad enough for them to send out notice of the issue, but not enough to pay for the recall, yet...

I would argue it is a potential safety issue. If electrical systems that control these safety systems, possibly including air bags and power steering lose power and shut down unexpectedly while driving it is a safety concern.

This may be a rare problem, but it seems a number of members here have had some kind of electrical issues related to this bad ground.

I to am curious what the updated cable looks like compared to the original?
I've seen the replacement.....looks the same as what is being replaced to me.

Even the bolt mentioned already exists on the original.

I am forced to WAG that the crimp section, cable to terminal, has been enhanced in some way.
In asking my dealer, after replacement so far, no customers have returned with a repeat failure of any kind.

Rob
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Hi guys,
Here in Canada I have received the recall letter from GM. Since I had instruments power shutdown 3 times in 2014, I recently bought a new negative cable from stealership at 50$ and changed it myself. I hope they will give me my money back now. I just kept the invoice and old cable just in case.
At the time I bought it, the guy from parts dept told me he has never seen this issue. Thanks to this forum I fixed it before having more problems. (sorry for my English)
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the negative battery cable terminal clamp may have an insufficient crimp at the battery negative terminal
Was wondering what this negative cable issue was all about and never received this bulletin. First surprise with my Cruze was GM finally got away from the side terminal batteries. Like everyone else now?

Maybe the engineers never knew the negative battery terminal is about 40 mils thinner than the positive terminal like it has been since the beginning of time.

First thing I noticed about the negative battery cable terminal is that there was no gap where the battery terminal bolt goes through. Doesn't need much of a gap, 1/32" will do, so removed the bolt, used my Dremmel with a thin metal cutting blade where that gap should be so now a small gap in there. Now the clamp can be tightened. This is a terminal for the positive side of the battery not for the negative side!

Bolt was also crap, so replaced it with a grade 8 1/4" X 20, one long, fit nicely in the flat so doesn't turn when tightening the nut. Nut was okay, but tapped it to that 1/4"-20 thread. Didn't redrill it, got a nice deep thread in the nut. Ha, wanted it to look stock.

That stud in the negative battery cable makes it special, didn't measure the thickness of this wire but feel like either a 16 or an 18 AWG wire that just goes under the fuse box. Now much of a current handling wire, could have made it a couple of inches longer to that radiator frame stud to save that stud.


Hmmm, since I cured this very obvious to me problem myself, maybe GM should send me a couple of bucks for my efforts. Paper work alone would cost them a small fortune.
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It hasn't been ten years yet and no one has died from the problem.
You guys are being so NEGATIVE...

Sorry, couldn't RESIST...

Zing! :)
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You guys'll be in town all week, right?

Rob
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You guys are being so NEGATIVE...

Sorry, couldn't RESIST...

Zing! :)
Watt???
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I went to the dealer yesterday and it seems that I'll receive a payback for my neg cable from GM Canada. The guy asked me why I didn't make it fixed on warranty. I honestly responded that they would not be able to reproduce the problem, and that I found the solution on Internet. He was not smiling at this.
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I went to the dealer yesterday and it seems that I'll receive a payback for my neg cable from GM Canada. The guy asked me why I didn't make it fixed on warranty. I honestly responded that they would not be able to reproduce the problem, and that I found the solution on Internet. He was not smiling at this.
Dealership service people are, in many cases, completely unable to relate to people with mechanical ability. They don't understand why anyone wouldn't want to deal with the service department (?!?).

I avoid dealerships as much as possible and unless a repair costs more than $100 or so I will gladly do it myself instead of getting them to do it, even if it is covered under warranty. The hassle of dropping my car off all day with no appointment, dealing with their shuttle service, combined with the risk of them either not finding the problem or not fixing it properly, multiplied by the risk that they will damage the car or cause other problems... I'd rather not have that stress in my life.

It's much easier to just buy the part I need and fix it on my own time, and on my schedule. Done once, done right.

Not all dealerships are the same... some are really good and have a great staff and excellent technicians. These dealers are hard to find. Mine isn't one of them.
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I agree with you 100%. Applies also to winter tire swap in my case. I have two cars, and it takes me only 1 hour to do 8 wheels, on a relax saturday...
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I avoid dealerships as much as possible and unless a repair costs more than $100 or so I will gladly do it myself instead of getting them to do it, even if it is covered under warranty. The hassle of dropping my car off all day with no appointment, dealing with their shuttle service, combined with the risk of them either not finding the problem or not fixing it properly, multiplied by the risk that they will damage the car or cause other problems... I'd rather not have that stress in my life.

It's much easier to just buy the part I need and fix it on my own time, and on my schedule. Done once, done right.
Also agree 100%. The dealership service department in this area really sucks. I wish GM would do something to fix this. One of my friends really likes the Cruze, but refuses to buy one because of the bad service at the dealership.
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Could this cable also cause problems with keeping the battery charged? I just had to replace the battery in my 2013 Cruze LT because it was sulfated (was just 2000 miles over the 3yr/36K warranty, so dealership said I would have to pay for it....which I did, at Autozone! Got a DuraLast Gold with a 5 yr warranty).
It seems logical that if it develops a bad connection and causes all these DIC messages and problems, that is could also cause a problem with keeping it charged.
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