Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives 2004 GMC Sierra Electrical ??

My wiper module went nuts and then stopped working 3 weeks ago. New module was put in. 2 weeks later I get in the truck and the wipers turn on with ignition. Can't turn them off. Drive home park truck because it's late and the weekend I can't get the truck to the shop for a few days. 3 days later I can't start the truck because the batteries are drained. Jump truck and it's running fine and the wipers are working normally. Drive to dealership service department and explain issue. 2 days later they can't find the issue. Wipers working normal but the radio and control power is on when the truck is off and keys out...that's what drained the battery but I didn't notice that when I parked it that night.

Any ideas? Or has anyone heard of this before? I need my truck back and reliable again.

Thanks,

Mark

Occasionally I've noticed that the radio stays on in my 04' Tahoe. It is supposed to turn off when a door is opened after removal of the ignition key. The times that this has happened it also didn't turn off after 5 minutes which is what it is supposed to do. I honestly think it's something in the door switches[at least that's what I chalked it up to] and I just make sure everything is 'off' anymore when exiting the vehicle.

Ive got a 2005 silverado the whole dash panel went bad 3-4 yrs ago gas hand speedometer and all.Also have a 05 express van radio stays on when ign is turned off try cycling your auto door locks sometimes that helps.

I'd suspect the ignition switch, from what you've said.

This happened to my Sierra a while back. All the places wanted around 500 bucks for a new dash panel. Mine was a problem with the speedometer not working right. If yours is similar, I bought a 2 dollar synchro on ebay and replaced it myself in 2 hours.

I just estimate how fast im going and have a digital gas gauge its paid for 180,000 miles and leaks oil like hell

That's the first place I'd look...

Reading and comprehension isn't your strongest trait is it?

Try disconnecting the battery cables for a few hours/overnight. It may not help but it is free.

FYI the truck has new batts as of summer.

The service center hasn't fixed it yet. They are stumped. I've found some tips online so I'm going to look into those. But I haven't been able to find anyone who's had the exact same issue. Lots of weird problems...Ghost's in the machine etc. But nothing exactly like mine. The common theme in resolving is a ground issue somewhere.

It's not "ghost's in the machine", it's called the new age of technology. Everything is electronic and computer controlled. My next truck is going to be an upgrade: 1970's Ford, Chevy or Dodge... As long as it is old, it will be much better than these new pieces of chit being sold today... Try dealing with a new car that has electronic power assist steering. Parts are expensive, if you perform the work yourself you will still have to have the dealership re-program and recalibrate which adds another $200.00 minimum to the fix. We can do without a lot of these new "upgrades" as far as I'm concerned. By the way marlinmark, my 04 GMC sierra does the same thing occasionally. It never drains the battery completely, but the radio stays on after the key is turned off and door is opened. It's a glitch in the PCM. Computer controlled item again.. Good luck with it. You'll need it...

Older Cherokee that just went nuts, no crank, lights coming on, buzzer buzzing. Shop found something but that did not fix it. I looked at PCM's, none new available. That was a lucky break because I kept fiddling with it and found an old school short on the radio etc. circuit that, I guess, resulted in a voltage the PCM did not like and could not be sane on. Runs fine without Twang Country and Rush.

fish head to the rescue.

I posted your problem on fullsizechevy.com and finally got an answer that makes sense.

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just guessing here but i would look at the RAP system. i believe there is a relay or two involved with the keeping the power on after the key is removed, and those can stick on. or the control wire is normally a negative actuation and if it gets shorted to ground or chaffed against something that will stick the relay on as well

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RAP is retained accessory power. I did a google search and there are many posts on the truck forums about similar issues. Here's a good one ...

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/161272-2004-express-rap-problem/

I hope this helps.

Fishhead,

Thanks for the help. I will speak with the shop.

Little off topic but when I was turning wrenches before I reclassed the Army was on its 4th pcb( power control box) for the hmmvs. The original ones would Ghost start in some cases actuall start an run all night come into th motor pool and trucks be running. They had this problem with tanks yrs ago the m1 my bud was on staff duty at hood gets a phone call why the fence at motor pool is torn down and a tank spotted a mile away from the mp (this happened on the weekend) lol. general dynamics came in and found the problem.

Funny, but kind of scary story John... Damn... . You know, I bad mouth my 04 GMC and all the work I've had to do to it, but I love the damn thing.... I wouldn't have kept it for so long if I didn't. I'm wondering if the OP feels the same about his? Mine is a damn near new truck right now...:

New transmission
New transfer case
rebuilt front diff
rebuilt rear diff, with new G80 locker
Engine has 140,000 miles on it and it runs damn strong. Doesn't leak or use a drop of oil..

I was wheel mechanic for 6yrs 63B and to this day I don't know why people think the hmmv is great it's the biggest pos ever and gutless with the 6.2 when those would blow up they would drop 6.5 in them which was kind of an upgrade. After 6yrs I reclassed and never looked back..

Pull the radio for a few days. So much in your truck runs through it. Just a thought . My 04 is approaching 300 and never had the valve covers off. I would pay 30K for my trk new in a heartbeat compared to anything out there. It's like your favorite boots or any one of your kids. It's just the best example of what makes you feel good.

W

I like mine. I actually prefer the looks of the 04 over a new pickup too...

I like mine ...