GM communication modules

[lrrifleman]

Greetings!

Might anyone here have a later model GM vehicle that has had issues with the communications module? I have had my Chevy 2022 (refresh) for almost 3.5 years, and the second module has failed. The original module lasted about 23 months, and the replacement module barely lasted 12 months. This particular module controls the internet, the forward camera, and virtually all of the Onstar features. If I didn't purchase an extended warranty, this would be a $1300+ replacement expense.

Just curious if this might be a widespread problem, or I am just having a really bad streak of luck!

As always, thanks in advance for your help!

 

[venomballistics]

Greetings!

Might anyone here have a later model GM vehicle that has had issues with the communications module? I have had my Chevy 2022 (refresh) for almost 3.5 years, and the second module has failed. The original module lasted about 23 months, and the replacement module barely lasted 12 months. This particular module controls the internet, the forward camera, and virtually all of the Onstar features. If I didn't purchase an extended warranty, this would be a $1300+ replacement expense.

Just curious if this might be a widespread problem, or I am just having a really bad streak of luck!

As always, thanks in advance for your help!

Google Gemini is a cool little piece of AI.
I asked it about this issue and it came back with your model year and confirmation that it's a wide spread concern.
Causes and recommendations sound like a blend of spit balling and sand bagging.
Having given up on domestic brands after the 2011 Regal, the likelyhood that GM is essentially stuck with whatever China will give them is at the root of the problem. The solution would be redesigned communications and telematics modules. This would not only require months of revision work through third parties, but also review by the bean counters of the CCP.
Theres a lot of politics under the hood of most domestic vehicles.

the universal solution to such problem vehicles without any good solutions was to remove and suspend the radiator cap about a foot above the car.
Back the car out from under the radiator cap and replace it with a different car .... then throw out the radiator cap.

 

[Oldengineer]

My guess is that your 2022 Model Year Chevrolet was undergoing its design verification (DV) testing in the early/middle days of the dreaded COVID pandemic. I receive two Ford management vehicles a year and recall that what I received during that period was not trouble free, and were actually missing some parts. Basically, a lot of oversight and system/subsystem handoffs between activities were not happening. It was hard to do engineering sitting in your underwear in front of a computer! The results are always perfect for the choices we make. I would not purchase a pandemic era vehicle.

Tom H.

 

[venomballistics]

Gemini highlighted 2022-23.
Reading between the lines, the same problem may exist beyond these years, it just doesn't have the statistical data to support extension to recent years.
It's not like the days you could bypass a problem with aftermarket parts.
It's a proprietary set of units with only one source.
If it's a chronic failure point, your only option is another failure prone replacement.
I used to hang out in an electronics forum.
We had one member that would milk the forum for solutions to fake his way through his electronic engineering job .... In China.
If we were out to design a simple audio signal booster, we'd likely spend the 70 cents for a TL072 and be done with it.
In this guy's case, the top tier jobs got a Vishay knock off of a 741. Everything else had to use fakes with no provenance, and data sheets poorly translated from Mandarin.
This is a peek into the world of offshore design and manufacturing.
While I'm still a bit bitter about it, my electronics are from Japan

 

[TX-Dennis]

Google Gemini is a cool little piece of AI.
I asked it about this issue and it came back with your model year and confirmation that it's a wide spread concern.
Causes and recommendations sound like a blend of spit balling and sand bagging.
Having given up on domestic brands after the 2011 Regal, the likelyhood that GM is essentially stuck with whatever China will give them is at the root of the problem. The solution would be redesigned communications and telematics modules. This would not only require months of revision work through third parties, but also review by the bean counters of the CCP.
Theres a lot of politics under the hood of most domestic vehicles.

the universal solution to such problem vehicles without any good solutions was to remove and suspend the radiator cap about a foot above the car.
Back the car out from under the radiator cap and replace it with a different car .... then throw out the radiator cap.

Or as my Grandad used to say, "it needs a new one run under it."

 

[WR Moore]

OK, I'm a Reform Luddite (use computers & internet while stationary). I buy vehicles for transportation, not "connectivity". Given the list of "features" the module controls, why not simply pull the fuse and drive on?

 

[dave1918a2]

Another reason to keep My 2003 Toyota.

 

[JET4]

That's what I like about my 2011 and 2018 Toyota 4Runner. None of that tech stuff.

 

[Jon651]

That's what I like about my 2011 and 2018 Toyota 4Runner. None of that tech stuff.

Sorry, but you don't get off that easy! You may not have fancy-schmancy stuff like cameras, collision avoidance and internet connectivity, but I'd be willing to bet that at a minimum both of your 4Runners have modules for the engine, transmission, brakes/ABS, safety systems (airbags, seatbelts, etc.), and body. And like I said, those are at a MINIMUM.

You are going to have to go a lot further back to get away from computers in automobiles - deep into the last century!

 

[venomballistics]

Sorry, but you don't get off that easy! You may not have fancy-schmancy stuff like cameras, collision avoidance and internet connectivity, but I'd be willing to bet that at a minimum both of your 4Runners have modules for the engine, transmission, brakes/ABS, safety systems (airbags, seatbelts, etc.), and body. And like I said, those are at a MINIMUM.

You are going to have to go a lot further back to get away from computers in automobiles - deep into the last century!

Correct....
Electronic feedback carbs entered production around 1976 and gained traction as EPA standards forced the transition to EFI.
The computer has been with us for quite some time

 

[venomballistics]

OK, I'm a Reform Luddite (use computers & internet while stationary). I buy vehicles for transportation, not "connectivity". Given the list of "features" the module controls, why not simply pull the fuse and drive on?

On some levels, I wish we could.
The modern "Infotainment" system of the modern car is really entwined.
It's not just a radio with navigation and phone connectivity.
Your environmental controls are in there as well as drive train controls.
For example, the X mode functions that allow my outback to claw through severe winter conditions and off road obstacles are through the Infotainment systems touch screen as well as it's traction control and anti collision reverse brake assist.
If it goes down, I'll have a heck of a time punching through a snow drift behind it because it will automatically hit the brakes to avoid contact until it's overridden

 

[Ματθιας]

The more primitive the electronics in vehicles, the easier it is keep and maintain. While modern integrated electronic laden vehicles are disposable - especially when they are out of warranty.

 

[WR Moore]

On some levels, I wish we could.
The modern "Infotainment" system of the modern car is really entwined.
It's not just a radio with navigation and phone connectivity.
Your environmental controls are in there as well as drive train controls.
For example, the X mode functions that allow my outback to claw through severe winter conditions and off road obstacles are through the Infotainment systems touch screen as well as it's traction control and anti collision reverse brake assist.
If it goes down, I'll have a heck of a time punching through a snow drift behind it because it will automatically hit the brakes to avoid contact until it's overridden

OK, over on the Subaru websites, recent dead battery syndrome is causing folks to pull the fuse on the DCD(?) thing. They haven't reported any such issues. IIRC, dealer suggested. Or is this a different widget?

Not that I'm in the market-willingly-for a new Forester, I'd kinda like to know if that interconnection is confirmed.

 

[venomballistics]

OK, over on the Subaru websites, recent dead battery syndrome is causing folks to pull the fuse on the DCD(?) thing. They haven't reported any such issues. IIRC, dealer suggested. Or is this a different widget?

Not that I'm in the market-willingly-for a new Forester, I'd kinda like to know if that interconnection is confirmed.

DCCD is a subsystem in its AWD system.
it amounts to being an electronic clutch pack in the transfer case.
In my case I indirectly deal with it through the X Mode settings.
Given it's description, I can easily see the potential for battery drain if there are bugs in the system. I've not experienced any such problem.
However, the quiescent current draw is an issue in my 06 forester, as it sits parked for long periods.
My solution is a solar trickle charger from harbor freight, laying on the dash

 

[ladder13]

2021 “pandemic” GM fun car, not a DD.. No issues except I didn’t notice the battery tender was not connected for likely a week about a year and an half ago. Car started up fine next time out but threw a bunch of codes.
Took it to the dealer as it was still under warranty. They charged the battery up, cleared the codes and I went on my merry way.
As in Cool Hand Luke, we had a failure to communicate.
Not an issue since.