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The Orange Section of the Instrument Fuse Panel

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Old 06-03-2022, 06:33 PM
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Angry The Orange Section of the Instrument Fuse Panel

A Chevy dealership worked on our 2008 HHR 2.4 LT when the ABS lights would not go off and the battery kept going dead.
They replaced the ECM and the BCM. $1100.00 later, we have more issues than we took it in for.
We believe that when they removed the Instrument Fuse Panel (on the interior passenger side of console), it appears that
they did not reinstall the orange section properly because the wiring no longer connects which results in things going crazy
from time to time. The blinkers stop working, the ac stops blowing cold air, the radio stops working, etc etc etc. We hit the
panel with our hand and things work again. We can see that the orange section is not seating correctly so we thought that
if we could replace that section, it would take care of the problems.
Does anyone know if this section is possible to get, or do we have to buy the entire Instrument Fuse Panel?
We would most likely have to buy one out of a wrecked car because I can't find one anywhere that has the wiring harness
with it.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 06-03-2022, 07:20 PM
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The obvious suggestion is to take it back and raise heck. GM guarantees their work.
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Old 06-03-2022, 08:48 PM
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This particular dealership is 1550 miles from us, and they are fully aware of the issues. (We are in California and the dealership
is in NE Oklahoma) (We were there for a short visit). Dealerships near us in California have told us that its not their problem and
they will give us no warrantee meaning we will have to pay full price for anything that they do.
The dealership that did the work takes no responsibility and says that the next time we travel there, to bring it in and they will look at it again.
I spoke to them again and was told that they will replace the BCM again at a cost of $660.00 minimum.
When we take the panel off, we can clearly see that the orange section of the panel is loose,,, like its falling off more on one side
than the other. If he pushes that orange section in and holds it, everything seems to be ok. Its when he lets go, it is loose and
the problems start again.
Also we note that if we run over a bump in the road, it pretty much shakes the orange section loose and things stop working.

Do you know if we can just replace the orange section or do we need to replace the whole panel?

Thanks for your help.
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Old 06-03-2022, 08:49 PM
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Orange section?
Pictures please (if possible)
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Old 06-03-2022, 09:22 PM
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The orange piece is the wiring harness connector to the fuse panel and BCM there should be a bolt holding it in place

Here’s that connector in the console, look to see that bolt and if it’s tight.
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Old 06-03-2022, 09:38 PM
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Have you thought of tightening the bolt? That does not take any special training. If that fails take the bolt out and pull the plug out and re plug it.
I very much doubt that either the BCM or ECM was at fault to begin with. They do not fail often and don't have anything to do with the ABS.
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Old 06-03-2022, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Oldblue

The orange piece is the wiring harness connector to the fuse panel and BCM there should be a bolt holding it in place

Here’s that connector in the console, look to see that bolt and if it’s tight.
Is the screw that secures it tightened down ?

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Old 06-04-2022, 12:04 AM
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Thank you everyone for your comments. We have that bolt as tight as we can get it without breaking something. It still just doesn't 'seal'
or stay tight. It comes loose quickly and is wobbly. Could that bolt be messed up and that's why it won't stay tight?
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Old 06-04-2022, 06:58 AM
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Could be the bolt threads are damaged, won’t stay tight.
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Old 06-04-2022, 08:12 AM
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unplug it and use your eyes to see if anything looks "wrong".
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