Some owners of certain GMC Sierra, Sierra HD and Yukon models may have noticed their vehicle’s headlamps and or/turn signals stay on, flicker, or are completely inoperative. While this issue is certainly annoying (and potentially hazardous), the fix could be rather straightforward if the vehicle is also equipped with a factory-installed GM Accessory Illuminated Emblem.
According to GM Techlink, water intrusion from the GM Accessory Illuminated Emblem could cause this shorting/flickering condition. Technicians are instructed to inspect for water intrusion and corrosion at the electrical connection for the illuminated emblem, as well as at the driver-side headlamp connector and the inline accessory harness. If water intrusion or corrosion is found, the technician will perform any necessary repairs to the headlamp connector and clean the headlamp assembly terminals.
Models affected by this problem include the 2020-2022 GMC Sierra 1500 and Sierra HD, as well as the 2021-2022 Yukon and Yukon XL.
To prevent further improper operation, GM technicians will be instructed to bypass the accessory harness by plugging the original headlamp connector from the body harness back into the headlamp assembly. This will temporarily disable the Illuminated Emblem for the time being. GM says it will release a more permanent repair that will allow the Illuniated Emblem to be used once it’s available.
GM says that if there is not any water intrusion or corrosion found at any of the connectors, the GM Accessory Illuminated Emblem is not the source of the shorting/flickering condition. In this case, the automaker advises technicians to follow normal system diagnostics procedures, although the wiring harness for the Illuminated Emblem “should still be disabled to prevent any improper operation in the future.”
The GMC Accessory Illuminated Emblem is available in both Red and Black finishes and is compatible with the GMC Sierra, Sierra HD and Yukon.
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Comments
… this is beautiful … but another thing to break on car ,,, to waste money in car repair shop… the article says, if new has issues, imagine in some years.. sensors breaks, electric problems etc… no no need in my car, let’s stay simple
Who cares? If you are vain or stupid enough to feel like you must have an emblem that lights up, then you deserve the issues.
Well, not really. But this is just another example of another stupid feature that someone in some office somewhere thought would be a good idea. It’s not and they would be well served to apply that money and effort into making a good vehicle better.
the lyriq is a light show on wheels. you are supposed to impressed.
Sadly steve, I’m just not that impressed with it. But then I need to see it in person before I say I dislike it.
you mean like in film Pixar cars, when the Mack truck asleep on road, with Mcqueen inside, come 5 guys in neon ,,, this ?
I’m not. That light-show nonsense is Cadillac’s answer to loud pipes on a Harley. “Look at me, look at meeeeee!”
While I think this is one of the dumbest self absorbed look at me trends of the last few years, the real question is why is GM engineering so incompetent that they didn’t foresee this as an issue?
This is some real B-team R&D here. I mean, if they can’t figure out how to integrate an illuminated emblem without causing a major safety issue…you know?
Mr. Mike: I agree. Very second rate of GM on this.
This stupid lighted up emblem was probably (I’m not sure) started out here in the capital of vanity, Los Angeles. The first ones I’ve ever seen or heard of was in a MB. Go figure. I’m sure it was one of the Kardashians who couldn’t handle being in a car and not being the center of attention, so they had to have this.
Pontiac had an amber Indian that lit up with no issues. Hudson had a logo badge on the hood that lit up, with no issues.
What’s GM’s problem?
GM’s problem is that it’s gm.
The real problem is actually that GM decided to offer this as an option from the factory OR set it up so the people who like to make modifications can just order the part and put it on at home. Very true. So if I was vain enough to think I needed this on my 2021 Malibu, I could order the part with the wire/connector in place. I could then pop the factory emblem off and snap the new one in and just plug it in. So in other words, it’s not designed in the best way due to the aftermarket side of it.
GMs problem is that they hire engineers with 4.0 grade point averages that have no mechanical skills. Book smart, but never picked up a tool in their lives. Some dumbest smart people I’ve ever met.
yeah… you can not compare this to a 1930 hood ornament, other qualities
I love the lighted emblem idea, but surely GM can figure it out so it doesn’t cause a problem, this is basic stuff! Be sure to fill those connectors with dielectric grease before you plug them back together. They will be good for a long time. Dielectric grease in all electrical connectors would prevent most of these similar problems.
It’s a great idea, just a terrible execution. This is what happens when the cost cutters get ahold of an idea.
Oh, come on… you just know that the guy in the office who dreamed up a lighted emblem got a huge raise and stock bonus!
If I had one, I’d just waterproof that connector now. Lots of tape.
Somehow I suspect you’re a GM engineer. We have had techs with this mentality and I’m not sure how they didn’t get fired.
No, I sell electrical tape.
Tape does not waterproof, use dielectric grease or silicone caulk for a sure seal.
How did this get passed the R&D stage of testing? Even at the final assembly the Car/Truck/SUV goes through a
leak test at the end of the line and nobody picked this up. To quote the best president in the history of the
world. CUMON MAN!!!
GMC has major problems with water intrusion in their lights. My 2015 yukon has had every light replaced from water damage or a short circuit.
I am not surprised..gm electrical systems were designed by chimps..from the start of voltage regulation on alternators..these people can’t get sh*t right..like a idiot I am ,I owned and driven gm trucks for decades now..to add anything besides what is factory is a logistical nightmare..try adding amplifiers, lighting,winches etc somehow someway something doesn’t work..always have to figure a way to circumvent there trash..in 2020 got a 3500 hd cab and chassis..comes with plow prep and 5 aux switches..thing is gm won’t install the harness for that setup..you have to do it yourself..not hard but started to used these switches for emergency lighting and now this truck says service 4wd,esc disabled,limp mode,etc sometimes 3 times a day..dealer can’t figure out the problem and tries to blame the lights🤦♂️..it’s one power wire from each switch..all hd trucks have this option but gm says it’s not supposed to be there..then why the aux switches..also said you can’t plug cordless drill battery charger or laptop in 120 volt outlet on dash..trash people and trash trucks..why I finally went to Ram.
I’m pretty sure the installer screwed up the install. I installed the entire switch assembly on my 2020 Silverado from battery to dash and have zero problems. Been in my truck for over a year. Switch #5 is already wired for an amber light in the roof. Just need to install the light and connect to wiring already in roof. I have other lights and an air compressor hooked up to switches 1-4. Those were very simple too. Since the aux switches are your power source from the battery, just connect to the blunt cut + wires on the switches and ground the – to the chassis. I’m not a mechanic/technician, and have zero knowledge beyond following the instructions I found on gmupfitter.com, which likely makes me dumber than a chimp and I still managed to not screw it up.
Jack here. I’m 75 yrs. old and have bought 18 new GM vehicles and trying to buy a new Sierra as we speak. The last thing I need is an illuminated GMC emblem that shuts down my lights!!
“stealth mode!”
Were I on a dealer lot bargaining with the salesperson over a GMC with the lighted logo, I’d demand a special discount for allowing GMC free publicity at nighttime, and a further discount for taking a chance that lights would go out at wrong times.
I have all dealer insignia removed if there is any there. That includes license plate frames.
You have no issue driving around during the day, parking the truck in various parking lots, etc. and advertising for GMC, but would want a discount for free advertising at night? Vehicle ownership is a very expensive “chance” regardless of brand, options, etc. Might as well just tell the dealer you don’t want to have to pay for the vehicle at all because there is a chance that the vehicle could have some sort of irreparable problem and there is a chance it could be a lemon. Because, you know, there is always that “chance”. You pay your money and you take your chances.
Hopefully the dealer’s response to you would be “We can order you a truck without the illuminated grill and it will arrive sometime in the next 6-8 months. The vehicle also comes with a warranty to address any issues that may come up. Additionally, you may purchase an extended warranty to cover your truck for the next several years. Otherwise, thank you for stopping by and feel free to call us if there is anything more we can do for you.”
I just got delivered to me my 2022 Yukon Denali and the Daytime Running lites are not working the ambient sensor has a error code that tells the lites it nite all day long so head lites are on and all lites that should be on at nite are on during the day, this was shipped from the factory and I am told lots of SUVs are that way from GM waiting for a sensor don’t know how long it’s been since middle of april
Minor correction: Illuminated emblems and accent lights are all LPO accessories, meaning they are installed by the dealership, not at the factory.
Rant: They literally install the standard emblems at the factory, then the dealership has to remove them (hopefully without damaging the paint or anything else) and install the replacement (hopefully doing so straight, as is particularly difficult for the rear non-illuminated emblem which doesn’t even have a template to guide the installation). Then they throw away the original. I get that it’s more efficient than having the factory handle weird one-off accessory installs, but they should leave it blank and the accessory installation should have a template the way front license plate brackets do. /rant
Only affects GMC? I have the bowtie that lights up on my 2020 Silverado (hey, look at me, look at me! I’m starving for attention. Not! I just like the look. I don’t care what others think. It’s my truck, not theirs, so their opinion is irrelevant.). Only reason I can think of this affects the GMC and not the bowtie is the bowtie is a more simple shape.
Our 2006 GMC ranch truck has been good. But my wife kept looking at and riding in her friends RAM trucks. She traded in her 2019 GMC for a RAM 1500. She was swayed by the smooth ride and the luxury of the interior. She loves the RAM and so far no problems.
what the f**K is a name like Mr.Blue
hey yo ferd the big bird
Should the dealership be responsible for fixing or am I responsible for the $655 + taxes because my light won’t go off because of water issues from a factory installed emblem?