Guages, radio not working properly and multiple warning lights turning on

Tiny
APESGARAGEF250
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 147,500 MILES
So was driving the car the other day and all of a sudden my radio came across with the message maintenance power steering, then my traction control light came on, and then the alarm set off light came on as well on the dash turned the car off and back on and nothin everything went off. Now today I am going to town and my oil light keeps dinging at me. I just changed the oil, replaced the filter and the drain plug and just now checked the oil and it's fine. What in the world is going on with this car? Oh, and I forgot one more crazy thing; my gas mileage reads on my radio and for some odd reason it is going up in the amount of miles I have to go until empty about 10 MPG and then will jump down about 4 and back and forth like that! Help!
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Sunday, September 5th, 2021 AT 10:18 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
APESGARAGEF250
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
Gauges and radio seem to be working fine. I was thinking more of a fuse going bad, a wire grounding out somewhere that going to the computer maybe.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, September 5th, 2021 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Just to make sure we are on the same page. What lights are coming on now if the gauges and radio are operating?

Still the traction control light and the oil change minder?

Can you get a video of the lights that are coming on so that we can see exactly what the verbiage is for each?

Also, we need to load test the battery because if that is weak then we can have all sorts of issues.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Then we need to scan for codes as I suspect we are going to have some codes that will point us in the right direction.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Basically we need to start with this and go from there because just a traction control light and oil change are not related so it could be a number of issues.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, September 5th, 2021 AT 5:56 PM
Tiny
APESGARAGEF250
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
It started with the maintenance electric power steering message coming across the radio (that's where my check engine light messages read at) and then the traction control message on the radio and light came on the cluster. I can't get a video at the moment because all of the lights and messages went away. Also my seat belt light and airbag lights and warning sounds have been going off randomly, along with the gas mileage counter going haywire.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 6th, 2021 AT 9:39 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. Unfortunately we can't do much when the issue is not there however, before it actus up again, let's get the battery load checked.

Basically when the battery begins to get low on voltage we get all sorts of crazy functionality. The engine may still run and drive fine but the electrical systems start to go haywire and all different systems that have no relation start to act up all around the same time.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Most all parts stores will do this free of charge so it is worth checking in the next day or so. If you can get the print out so that we can see what the voltage and amperage is of the battery even it is passes that would help.

A lot of times as they start to fail they may test fine one day and then after they sit overnight they would fail. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, September 7th, 2021 AT 8:12 AM
Tiny
APESGARAGEF250
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
Okay, I'll do that tomorrow. My husband may have a battery tester not sure (the man has 2 of just about every gizmo and gadget ever made useful or not! So I'll ask him when he gets home. Thanks again for all of y'alls help!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, September 7th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Haha. That is great. Just make sure he checks that it is a load tester. Basically it will tell you if a battery is able to carry the load of the electrical system.

There are a lot of them out there that basically just checks the voltage but we need to know the amperage as well.

Also, if he has one that would be great to test the battery in the morning after it sat all night. If not, removing the battery and taking it to a parts store is good as well.

Basically when you start and run the vehicle it will charge the battery and can cause a battery that is questionable to pass a test one day and fail the next.

Thanks for the update. We will wait to hear back from you.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, September 7th, 2021 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
APESGARAGEF250
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
Hey guys, I was trying to ask a question about my heater, but it won't let me submit the question. I attached a picture of the message it is giving me.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 20th, 2021 AT 1:37 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. I know we were having some issues with the submission portion, and they were working on it, but I will find out if they are finished and we can try again.

I will send you a direct message when we should be good to go. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 20th, 2021 AT 7:17 AM
Tiny
APESGARAGEF250
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
Thank you!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 20th, 2021 AT 12:37 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Radio Not Working Content

VIEW MORE