So, I wanted to share this in case someone else needs the help with the problem. I have a 2008 Silverado 1500 WT with the V6. I went to town today and noticed the airbag light on with Service airbag on the display. I also noticed the speedometer going crazy zeroing out and then working again. I began to watch my instrument cluster and all gauges quit working, including the selector light to show what gear I was in, and would randomly come back on and then off again. The security light would also come on when this was going on. I was only going to the local convenience store for lawn mower gas about 2 miles down the road. I stopped, pumped my gas, got back in, turned the key and nothing. No lights on the instrument or anything. I could turn the key off and back on and got the truck to crank and then it would die and all the instrument cluster was dead. I did this numerous times results varied from the engine turn over a few times to it crank and quickly die. I tried removing the battery cable for a few minutes and tried again. Same results. Then, the truck cranked and I was able to go home with no warnings on the cluster. So I get home and look things up on the internet and discover the problem was my airbag module corroding due to water leaking in the truck which is apparently a common problem with the Silverados. See the link here for the problem : No Crank/No Start + Crazy gauges | Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Forum. So, my question is, how do I prevent the problem from reoccurring or stop the leak even? Any ideas? The carpet over the module was still very damp. I took my module off, cleaned the corrosion, and everything seems to be ok now.
The first step is to figure out where the leak is occurring. Do you have any theories based on where the carpet is wet? Sometimes you have to have a helper spraying water from a hose on the car while you look for the leak path on the inside. In the meantime it might help to at least lift the carpet away from the module, let the area completely dry, then and place a waterproof cover over the air-bag module.
I concur that it’s weird an air bag module fault would cause no crank/no start/lazy gauges symptoms.
I have no clue where the water is coming from. Months ago, I noticed the 3rd brake light was damaged/warped and a gap at the bottom. I replaced it and the gasket and placed a little sealant so I am sure there was water getting in there. When I first bought the truck, my kids would tell me when it rained water was coming in at the back corner of the rear drivers door and the passenger door. That being said, the only wet spot is under the driver’s seat and it is soaked. Haven’t had any rain in few days now either. I thought about a covering, not sure about what to use. Would a gallon ziploc bag taped/wrapped around it cause it to overheat?
A bucket of soapy water and a sponge will help. Turn the fan on full speed and slop water around windshield and doors. If there is a leak the bubbles should be really obvious. Do this from outside the truck.
I had that problem on my truck, but the wet spot was under the passenger seat. I discovered the cause: rain water was hitting windshield, then into the under-windshield drain & fresh air vent system, which is supposed to allow fresh air into cabin (for heat and fresh air) while diverting the rain water to the ground. The place where the water is separated from the air, sort of a plastic tank affair, was clogged with debris, leaves, pine needles, preventing the water from moving to the ground, so it went inside the cabin instead. I’ve never had that problem on any other vehicle, Ford’s design was a little weak there imo, didn’t anticipate the need to make it easy for the owner to clean out debris.
I have narrowed the problem down to somewhere in the back. Both the front floor boards were soaking wet with standing water. Pulled the plastic door jams and they held water. Pulled the rear door jams and I could see it was wet but not holding water like the front. The rear has wet/damp spots at the rear corner where it meets the door. I figure there is a leak at the back door and it is traveling down the door jams and puddles up in the front. I don’t see anything on the door that’s wet, just at the very back floor where the door jam starts. Anyone have any suggestions? Oh, and the passenger door has water in it. I can hear it sloshing when I open it. Also, the bottom of the drivers seat was wet and both front seats felt damp to me.
This could be your problem.
Silverado water leak fix!!! Wet floor boards - YouTube
Also check the drain holes at the bottom of the doors. Over time, dirt and debris can build up and clog the drains holes. the water will build up in the doors and then overflow into the cab.
Didn’t notice any drain holes at the bottom of the doors. Where did I miss those?
They can be hard to see, b/c of their location. Open door, use mirror to inspect bottom of door. The holes should be there, but may be so clogged they are nearly invisible. I think you’ve got more than one leak site, but suggest to start with that passenger side door problem. Any chance someone has been playing a prank on you, pouring water into the cab?