[Randdon]

Hi, I have an 2012 Cruze Eco Manual Transmission. From the first year I had the car, I have had electrical surges every once in a while, maybe once a month. It usually happens while sitting at a light or stop sign but has happened while I have been travelling on the highway. When it happens, all the gauges including the spedo all go to their maximum position, and the radio goes loud. Revs don't change. Lasts only a second or two and then it's fine for weeks ...

Has anyone else experienced this? I did a search on electrical surge on the internet and here but nothing came up that matches my description.

Thanks!

 

[spacedout]

I'm not sure I would describe what is happening as an electrical surge, sounds more like an intermittent electrical connection. Have you checked the grounds and connections on the battery under the hood? I received a letter in the mail about a possible bad battery cable that could effect the cruze, wonder if that's your problem?

 

[hificruzer226]

It sounds like the neg battery cable recall.

 

[Chevy Customer Care]

Hi, I have an 2012 Cruze Eco Manual Transmission. From the first year I had the car, I have had electrical surges every once in a while, maybe once a month. It usually happens while sitting at a light or stop sign but has happened while I have been travelling on the highway. When it happens, all the gauges including the spedo all go to their maximum position, and the radio goes loud. Revs don't change. Lasts only a second or two and then it's fine for weeks ...

Has anyone else experienced this? I did a search on electrical surge on the internet and here but nothing came up that matches my description.

Thanks!

Hello Randdon,

We apologize for the unexpected concerns with your Cruze. We would be more than happy to look into this further for you, and get in touch with your dealership. Feel free to send us a private message along with your VIN, current mileage, contact information and preferred dealership. Looking forward to your updates!

Patsy G
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[ChevyGuy]

It sounds like the neg battery cable recall.

That would be a good starting point.

Sounds to me like the gauges are going though power-up tests. I'm not sure if that's something they do on thier own or if it's commanded as part of the BCM start-up.

 

[hificruzer226]

That would be a good starting point.

Sounds to me like the gauges are going though power-up tests. I'm not sure if that's something they do on their own or if it's commanded as part of the BCM start-up.

Thats true too. Though the radio getting louder to me is an indication that something is going on before the cluster.

 

[ChevyGuy]

Thats true too. Though the radio getting louder to me is an indication that something is going on before the cluster.

Yeah, that's a good one. Funky power is a possibility, but not sure why it would affect the radio that way. Hmmmm. I wonder if something like a bad ground is happening and the radio is seeing it as a "volume up" command from the steering wheel. IIRC, that's just a resistor of a fixed value. But doesn't it become a bus command before it gets to the radio?

I'm thinking bad power/ground in that area of the dash.

 

[hificruzer226]

Yeah, that's a good one. Funky power is a possibility, but not sure why it would affect the radio that way. Hmmmm. I wonder if something like a bad ground is happening and the radio is seeing it as a "volume up" command from the steering wheel. IIRC, that's just a resistor of a fixed value. But doesn't it become a bus command before it gets to the radio?

I'm thinking bad power/ground in that area of the dash.

Steering wheel controls are generally resistance based and if not than they run through can. I am not sure on our vehicles but I would be willing to bet off the top of my head its a resistance based line in. Electronics do witchcraft with low voltage

 

[ChevyGuy]

The steering wheel controls goes to the BCM. About 4K ohm to power will be seen as a volume up command. But without any short or a switch press, I can't see that happening. The radio and the instrument cluster are on the same bus, so I think something with that bus is flaking out. Got anything plugged into the car's diagnostic port?