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2018 Silverado Infotainment Screen Flickering and Going Black

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Ryan M. · rep 0 · May 22, 2:36 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT

Hey everyone, I'm having a really frustrating issue with my 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT. The infotainment screen has started flickering intermittently, and sometimes it just goes completely black for a few seconds before coming back on. It's not just when I hit bumps; it seems pretty random.

It's making navigation and using the backup camera really difficult, not to mention Apple CarPlay keeps disconnecting. I've tried restarting the truck, checking fuses (the ones I could find related to the radio), but no luck.

Has anyone else experienced this with their Silverado? Is there a common module or wiring harness that might be loose or failing? Any advice before I have to take it to the dealership?

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 2:36 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

Infotainment system issues like flickering or going black on your 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 can be caused by several electrical problems. This is a common complaint for many modern vehicles with complex electronics.

Here are some steps and potential causes:

  1. Soft Reset:

    • Try a soft reset of the infotainment system. On many GM vehicles, you can do this by pressing and holding the Home button (or the power button for the radio) for about 10-15 seconds until the screen goes blank and then reboots. This can sometimes clear minor software glitches.

  2. Check Power and Ground Connections:

    • A loose or corroded power or ground connection to the infotainment module (often located behind the dash) can cause intermittent power loss. This requires some disassembly of the dash to access.
    • Inspect the main battery terminals for corrosion or looseness, as overall system voltage fluctuations can affect sensitive electronics.

  3. Inspect Wiring Harnesses:

    • Vibrations over time can cause wiring harnesses to become loose or chafed, especially where they connect to the head unit or other modules. Look for any visible damage or loose connectors.

  4. Module Failure:

    • The infotainment control module itself (Human Machine Interface - HMI module) can fail. This is often indicated by persistent issues that aren't resolved by resets or connection checks. There aren't usually specific OBD-II codes for infotainment module failure, but a diagnostic scan tool capable of reading body control module (BCM) or infotainment system codes might reveal communication errors.

  5. Software Glitch/Update:

    • Ensure your vehicle's infotainment software is up to date. Sometimes, a dealership can perform a software update that resolves known bugs.

When to See a Shop: If the issue persists after a soft reset and a visual inspection of accessible connections, it's best to take your Silverado to a qualified technician or a Chevrolet dealership. They have specialized diagnostic tools (like GM's GDS2) that can communicate directly with the infotainment module and other related systems to pinpoint the exact cause, whether it's a faulty module, a deeper wiring issue, or a software problem requiring a specific flash.

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