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GM Authority

Here May Be Why Your Chevy Colorado, Silverado TurboMax Check Engine Light Is On

A loose wiring connector could be at the root of several glitches in your 2023 Chevy Colorado, 2024 Chevy Colorado or 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 truck if the check engine light is illuminated.

According to GM TechLink, the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine, developing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, now branded as the TurboMax, is the powerplant with which this problem may occur for the recent Chevy Colorado and Silverado models.

Side view of the Chevy Colorado.

While the illuminated check engine light is the most immediate symptom of the glitch, affected Chevy Colorado and Silverado units may have other issues as well. Specifically, running a diagnostic check on the vehicle may cause one or several DTC codes to appear suggesting engine or powertrain problems that do not actually exist.

Dealership service staff and other mechanics should check 2023 to 2024 Colorado and 2024 Chevy Silverado wiring if the above symptoms appear, rather than moving directly to engine or powertrain repairs. The first step should be to check the X175 transmission connector at the back of the automatic transmission for the recently discovered loose wiring problem.

Rear three quarters view of the Chevy Colorado.

The X175 transmission connector should be removed from the vehicle to enable complete inspection of the part. The service provider should check to make sure the terminals in the connector are firmly seated. A special tool is also to be used to ensure the terminals have enough tension. Terminals without the correct tension should be removed and replaced with new terminals.

Following these steps, the terminals and connector should be tested with function. If the issue was present in the vehicle, this procedure should cause the check engine light to go out and erroneous DTC codes to disappear from diagnostic results.

Front three quarters view of the Chevy Silverado.

The L3B TurboMax that experiences these problems is the high-end powertrain option on the all-new third generation of the Chevy Colorado, which debuted with the 2023 model year. The engine is optionally available on the WT and LT trim levels and equipped as standard on the Trail Boss, Z71 and ZR2 trims. It’s also the base powerplant for the Chevy Silverado 1500. The engine uses the second-generation GM 8-speed automatic transmission for cog swaps.

The 2024 Chevy Colorado includes a few new features and updates as well, which include a lineup of available packages. The all-new Colorado ZR2 Bison Edition (RPO code ULV) package is offered for the ZR2 trim only and adds multiple pieces of equipment to improve off-roading capability further. Several other packages are also available.

The Chevrolet Bow Tie logo on the Chevy Colorado grille.

Production of the 2024 Colorado, which is now set to kick off December 11th, 2023 after delays by the UAW strikes, takes place at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri. Meanwhile, the Silverado is produced at the GM Fort Wayne plant in Indiana, the GM Oshawa plant in Canada, and the GM Silao plant in Mexico.

Under the body panels, the third-generation Colorado is supported by the updated 31XX-2 platform, while the Chevy Silverado 1500 uses the GM T1 platform for structure.

Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Colorado news, Chevy Silverado news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

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Comments

  1. I can tell you why it’s on. It is on telling you to check your brain for what it was thinking when you bought this truck with this engine.

    Reply
    1. Have you driven a truck with this engine? Sounds like you haven’t, but I have and its smooth and powerfull and its proving to very reliable.

      You need to get it out of your head about 4 cylinder turbos. They are nothing like the pass ones. My 2.0t in my terrain has been awesome. I even towed two wave runners in the mountains and it never was strained and still averaged around 19mpg. So maybe quit spewing hate until you actually experience the newer turbo’s today.

      Reply
      1. I drive the new 2023 Colorado LT 2WD and its very smooth and very quiet. And its got way more power then the 2006 Yukon Denali with the 6L, and a 2007 Silverado with the 5.3L I also drive.

        Reply
      2. I have driven one and I would say that the power is adequate. The driving experience leaves you with the feeling you are driving a 4 cylinder. The fuel economy is nothing to brag about unless you are puppying it around the city. I can get 20 miles per gallon on the highway with a 5.3 at 85 miles an hour and at least a 1000 pounds in the bed 22 if I do 70 Ask any recycled beer can hair dryer Owner what happens to fuel economy when you put your pedal to the wood. I prefer to stick with the devil I know. I can pull the heads on AV8 and replace the cam and lifters myself. I have driven and rode in enough trucks with 8 speed transmissions to know it is not for me..

        Reply
  2. One of the problem ,I had with engine light coming on my Colorado ,was due to using off brand gas .My son is a mechanic and he told me to only use Name brand Exxon regular gas or Shell gas and That took care of the engine light problem . If that does not work than you , need take it to the Chevy dealer , to find the problem !

    Reply
    1. There could be some truth to this even though the owner’s manual says it ok if the octane is correct. Back in the day I bought a new 82 S-10 with the 2.8 liter V-6 engine. It would barely idle on Crystal Flash gas which was the economy brand around here at that time, but it run fine on other brands. That’s the only vehicle I’ve had that was picky like that. It was pre-computer control and pre-fuel injection so now I suppose that the computer will just automatically richer the fuel mixture and vary the ignition timing as needed. I believe that Crystal Flash was bought out by Speedway gas.

      Reply
      1. No unbranded fuel in my tanks. If you’re lucky you may save a nickel of a gallon is it really worth it.

        Reply
  3. Are they trying to save money on cheap connectors now. As long as 51 percent of the parts on the vehicle are domestic, then it’s branded made in the US of A. I also do use Mid grade Chevron and such on 2004 Silverado. It does help keep the emissions light off and runs a lot smoother. I once used cheap 87 on a trip to California from Texas in a hot July, 112 I believe in New Mexico. Vapor Locked the engine. It took 20 tries to get to next service station. Truck would die every minute. Filled it with premium fuel and waited for half an hour gas cap off. And no more vapor lock even through Phoenix which was 120. No bull.

    Reply

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