2013 LS Electrical and Radio Issues

[matthewclark82]

This winter in the cold my radio wouldn't turn on at all. Then after it warmed up it would come on. The funny thing is one day I turn on the rear defrost and it turned on the radio.

Then one day neither worked so I turned on my turn signal, and guess what happened...Yeah my radio turned on. So far I'm only having electrical issues, but it's enough to be frustrating. Other than that my car runs Great!

 

[SuperFudd]

Just off the top of my head, a poor/intermittent ground. Using your defrost or turn signal provides an alternate path to ground for the "radio".

 

[Luv2xlr8]

I think someone here had the same issue and it was a ground that was right under the battery if I recall. Couldn't find the thread on here.

 

[Blue hedgehog]

Agreed ^

Bad grounds cause strange things to happen. If its not a bad ground I would bet its the BCM. But Im still betting on the ground.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Hey Matthew,

Sorry to hear you are having this concern with your Sonic. Have you had a chance to have your dealership look into this for you? Please private message me your name, VIN, phone number, and dealership. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Erica Tiffany
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[zapcat]

I'd go with the BCM. The HVAC mod and radio are on the same low speed GMLAN. The ground starts at the center consule and there's a number of other items that splice off that ground.