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infotainment screen flashing and going out

24K views 28 replies 14 participants last post by  Guitarman1960  
#1 ·
Hello, I am new to the forum and hope I am posting in the right place. My apology if I got it wrong. I have recently purchased a '14 Z51 M7. I am having a problem with the infotainment screen sometimes flashing and even going black. I have read that I am not the only owner to have this problem but I haven't seen anything definitive about the resolution. I understand that there was a TSB and a software update GM supplied for the 2014 models that have this problem and that this update may resolve it. Thus far my local dealer says they can't find anything about that. I have also read that the problem could be a bad connection on a wire that goes to the screen aggravated by raising and lowering the screen. Does anyone know any details about the software update that could help me guide my dealer to find out about it? Assuming that they find the update roughly how much should I expect to pay to have this done? In other words, are issues addressed by TSB or a software update done at no charge or are they billed as normal repair? Obviously, I'm out of warranty. Or is it probably the bad wire causing this? Any guidance on any aspect this problem would be much appreciated. Must get it fixed and drive! What a fun car!
 
#2 ·
Welcome to our forum mcride and sorry to read about your infotainment screen issues. Yes it is a known problem, especially with the 2014s. There were software updates and ultimately total unit replacements necessary to resolve. If you use our search function you will find a number of threads dedicated to this, for example Screen problems . Unfortunately your 2014 is well out of warranty and if it needs the unit replaced, it is a serious job of dash removal to resolve.
 
owns 2018 Corvette C7 2LT
#3 ·
Thanks for your prompt reply. I was hoping someone that has had this screen problem would let me know what ultimately resolved the problem. It seems the symptoms are pretty much the same with everyone so surely the solution is going to be the same for everyone. I am loathe to take it to the dealer and just ask them to fix it. I have noticed the last few days that when the screen starts flashing if I lower the screen and then raise it back up it resolves the issue. Sometimes I have to lower and raise it two times but not more than that. That seems like the "loose wire" problem but I don't know that is it. Anyone have advice on how to approach this with my dealer? It's been many years since I have had to depend on a dealer to help me with much of anything and I'm unsure how to approach it with them. I am used to sitting with an independent mechanic and talking about a problem and discussing how to tackle the fix. Dealer visits are not done like that which is understandable because they aren't organized like that. I don't mind paying for a needed repair but I would be much more comfortable if I understood more about the cause of the issue I need resolved so I can best communicate what I expect them to do. My local dealer, though nice people, seem totally unaware of this screen issue so talking with them about it doesn't yield much guidance. Thanks in advance for the help.
 
#8 ·
mcride, to the best of my recollection, the majority of infotainment screen failures were not due to a faulty wire. On review of our related member posts, you'll see that very few were resolved with the software updates (which lasted in some cases only days to months for others), but was only completely resolved by the replacement of the screen and related module via a dash removal process (as seen in the image below). It was far more complex than a loose wire issue.

276871
 
owns 2018 Corvette C7 2LT
#10 ·
Of course yours could just be loose wire, but I recall when RedHot's started going, at first I thought it was do to the screen going up and down, then I thought it was due to rough roads at enthusiastic driving, but as it turned out, it was unrelated to all of those. If your dealer's tech is a C7 trained mechanic, they should be able to easily locate the related TSB we noted earlier, specific to early C7s (2014-5).
 
owns 2018 Corvette C7 2LT
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#13 ·
I feel your pain. My 2015 screen went out about two weeks ago. Sometimes when I lowered it I could see the Corvette flags light up, but when I raised it back up it would go back to blank. The radio still worked and when I touched the screen in the area for voice command it worked, so my deduction was that the screen was good, the HMI module was working so it must be the cable that has gone bad due to the raising and lowering it so much. Called dealer, as mine is out of warranty, and was told that they charge $149 just for a diagnose estimate. Their solution would be to replace the entire infotainment screen module. The part alone is about $700 plus labor. I researched this on the web and on Corvette forum found posts relating to this. The cable causing the problem just wears out from raising and lowering it and there was one post from a guy with pictures on how to replace it. Now, it is necessary to remove the dash to get to it and there are two good youtube videos on how to do that, and in order to remove the dash you have to take apart the console first. A replacement cable can be purchased from Amazon for about $7 plus shipping. You also have to remove the entire infotainment module and you have to take off the front bezel of the screen. You then have to pry the tab between the two cables and then you can unplug the bad cable, which is the one on the left. You then have to remove the other end of the bad cable from the chassis of the module. Then you can plug in the new replacement cable and then you have to figure out how to attach it the module at the female end.

So, for the past several days I have taken out the dash, taken apart the console, removed and repaired the infotainment screen module with a new cable that I got from Amazon and now have it back in the car and It works. While out I also put a screen protector from tuffprotect.com on the screen to keep the fingerprints at I now have to put the dash and everything else back together. I will not use the storage behind mine any more and quit raising and lowering the screen. This is just not designed very well as are the cup holders.
 
#14 ·
Wow. I seems like you are going to get your screen issue resolved. Admiring your determination and patience. Thanks much for the complete description. I'm not sure if I will tackle it myself but I would like to know how to find the offending cable on Amazon. I did a search there without success but I really didn't know how to describe it. Thanks again.
 
#21 ·
I have 2014Z51, had the same issue. They initially were able to fix the flashing and screen changing by putting a rubber washer where screen frame mounts to dash. This fixed for a while then had other issues when they installed software update then they changed out unit. All was covered under warranty then. Good luck, I know how frustrating it is!!
 
#24 ·
I have a 2014 Z51, one of the early ones that has this problem. Started a couple of years ago. Did a lot of research, some said honking the horn fixed it, the Chevrolet dealer said a $1,200 out of warranty replacement was the fix. In the end I did nothing and the problem resolved. It has recurred a few times then resolves. Last week it started again. I lowered the screen for a few miles and again it resolved and works fine ever since. Logically, it is a loose for broken wire.
 
#25 ·
I also have a 14’ Z51 M7, after a 1,000 mi mine went out. However, that was back in 2015 and was covered under warranty. I hate to say it but if you let the dealer replace it’s gonna hurt financially. I’ve seen some forum members buy a used one from a salvage yard and have either Chevy or a local mechanic familiar with Corvettes do the job. This was a known problem back in 2014-2015. Good luck, chris
 
#28 · (Edited)
Contact your dealer and get an appointment. I left mine after the service manager explained the procedure and that the car would remain inside. It was determined the screen was at fault. GM overnighted a screen and I got mine back on the afternoon of day two. Yes, they provided a loaner car.
Very painless and I gave all top marks to the dealer on the GM survey. Yes, they track your survey responses in your customer file (in the computer) . They miss me since I moved that car out of state. Mysteriously the service manager always appeared to say hi when I visited. ;)