Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon Owners Experience New Bout Of Dead Batteries
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Back in July, GM Authority reported that some owners of the 2023 Chevy Colorado and 2023 GMC Canyon pickup trucks were complaining that the battery in their vehicles were inexplicably losing charge. Now, a similar issue has been reported by owners. It’s unclear at this time what may be causing the issue.
For those readers who may have missed it, GM Authority reported over the summer on a series of social media posts made by owners of the 2023 Chevy Colorado and 2023 GMC Canyon pickups complaining that the batteries in their vehicles had inexplicably lost charge. The issue appeared somewhat suddenly, and was originally believed to be the result of a failed over-the-air software update that left the vehicle infotainment system hanging. With the infotainment system stuck in limbo, the vehicle battery would be drained until it was no longer holding any charge, leading to a no-crank condition.
A similar issue also affected the all-electric Cadillac Lyriq crossover. A report was later released outlining how GM technicians could diagnose possible over-the-air update concerns.
Now, some Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon owners are reporting similar issues related to discharged batteries. A significant number of these owners woke up to discover that the battery in their pickup was dead, and to make matters worse, many experienced the same issue back in July.
Despite the similarities, it’s currently unclear if this issue is related to over-the-air software updates. GM Authority has reached out to GM for an explanation, but has yet to receive a reply.
Affected owners must have their vehicle towed to the dealership, or alternatively, they can try changing the battery themselves. However, it is not recommended that affected customers jump-start their vehicle if the battery has been completely drained.
The 2023 Chevy Colorado and 2023 GMC Canyon introduce the latest third generation for each model’s respective nameplate, and both are equipped with the GM Global B electronic architecture.
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Have any of you who were affected by the 9/15/23 event received a new battery from the dealership?
Hi, looking for your thoughts and opinions. Has anyone tried swapping out the OEM battery for a red top or yellow top battery? Do you think that would keep the battery from dying? I have a Canyon scheduled to be built and this battery issue is concerning.
I don’t think so because the bug in programming causes the battery to drain down to 3 volts (first time 7/16) and 6 volts on 9/15. Huge draw that will overcome almost any battery.
So there was a guy name whoops on here over the weekend.
He was a Tacoma owner… and made sure that he rubbed it in everyone’s face.
Now his comments are all gone.
Good
Paperwork from Dealership on repairs to 2023 Chevy Colorado on 9/19/23
#PIT6042A: Battery Discharged Overnight – (Aug 1, 2023)
Subject: Battery Discharged Overnight
Cadillac LYRIQ 2023-2024, Chevrolet Colorado 2023, GMC Canyon 2023
Do not replace any components. Engineering is currently investigating the root cause.
Involved Region or Country: North America
Condition Battery is discharged overnight.
Cause Vehicle to server communication error.
1. Charge 12V battery with a diagnostic charger if needed.
2. Clear ail DTCs and perform a global battery reset.
3. Ensure all modules have powered down for more than 15 minutes.
4. Start the vehicle and ensure the check engine light is not illuminated.
Important: Note: Confirm the high voltage SOC is above 10% for LYRIQs.
We are aware of the issue with certain vehicles experiencing drained 12 volt batteries, which may require the customer to jump start their vehicle. Engineers are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. In the meantime, it is important for customers to know that the issue is not caused by the vehicle’s over-the-air (OTA) update and are encouraged to complete the software update when prompted by their vehicle.
The high rate of drained 12 volt batteries has been tied back to a vehicle to ser/er communication error. If you have any 2023 Colorado, Canyon or LYRIQ vehicles that have been towed in with a recent dead 12 volt battery or driven in after a jump start due to a low battery, perform a battery recovery with the GR8 or DCBS diagnostic charger. If the battery passes and the vehicle has no outstanding battery draw, release the vehicle to customer.
I would think vehicle to server communication error would be the same as OTA update causing these problems. Taking mine to dealer for record of this happing so I can lemon law my truck after three times for same issue I can do this one more is strike 3. Come on GM figure this out.
Just heard from my dealer…
They replaced my dead battery in my Canyon AT4.
They also told me that the issue appears to be something with the Serial Data Gateway. I was told that this is essentially the firewall for the computer system of the truck. The current thinking, at my dealer anyway, is that the Serial Data Gateway was not letting the July OTA update through and it was not letting the September OTA update through. Therefore, the OTA kept pinging the truck and killed the battery. If you haven’t asked your service departmet about the Serial Data Gateway, ask them about it. Apparently, my service department installed whatever this new update was, “behind” the Serial Data Gateway, and they are “confident” this “fixed the problem.”
ElderKrapf
Great to hear. I will see whether my dealer believes this update addresses the issue that reared its head on my Yukon AT4 6.2 earlier this month.
I can concur on the Serial Data Gateway remedy. My GMC dealership reprogrammed the serial data gateway module (GM bulletin #PIT6042B). Good luck all.