Service Bulletin

Bulletin No.:

18-NA-266

Date:

May, 2019

TECHNICAL
Subject:

Brand:
Buick

Chevrolet

GMC

Intermittent Blank or Flickering Driver Information Center (DIC) Display

Model:

Model Year:
from

VIN:
to

Enclave

2018

2019

Envision

2017

2019

Colorado

2017

2018

Cruze

2017

2019

Equinox

2018

2018

Impala

2017

2019

Malibu

2017

2018

Traverse

2018

2019

Acadia

2017

2019

Canyon

2017

2018

from

to

Engine:

Transmission:

All

All

Involved Region or Country

North America and N.A. Export Regions

Additional Options (RPOs)

UDD only (Instrument Panel Cluster)

Condition

Some customers may comment that the instrument cluster Driver Information Center
(DIC) flickers or flashes off and on or goes blank for a few seconds, then comes back on.
Customers may describe this symptom as happening repeatedly. During this condition,
customers may also notice Steering Wheel Controls (SWC) do not function. This
condition may last several minutes. Customers may also note that this only seems to
occur when playing songs via iHeart or Pandora.

Cause

The cause of the condition may be an instrument cluster software concern.

Correction

If this concern is reported, check for DTCs. If DTCs are present, this bulletin does not
apply and normal SI diagnosis should be followed. If no DTCs are present, this is the only
concern, and it occurs intermittently, do not replace any parts. Reprogram the P16
Instrument Cluster.

Service Procedure
Refer to P16 Instrument Cluster: Programming and
Setup in SI.
Note: Please ensure all steps of P16 Instrument
Cluster: Programming and Setup in SI are performed
including USB programming. For UDD clusters on
impacted vehicles, USB programming is performed
through the USB ports accessible in the center console.

Copyright 2019 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Note: Stable battery voltage is critical during
programming. Any fluctuation, spiking, over voltage or
loss of voltage will interrupt programming. Install a GM
Authorized Programming Support Tool to maintain
system voltage. Refer to www.gmdesolutions.com for
further information. If not available, connect a fully
charged 12 V jumper or booster pack disconnected
from the AC voltage supply. DO NOT connect a battery
charger.

Page 2

May, 2019

Bulletin No.: 18-NA-266

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor
Operation

Description

Labor Time

2886258*

Instrument Cluster
Reprogramming with SPS

0.3 hr

*This is a unique Labor Operation for Bulletin use only. To
avoid warranty transaction rejections, the SPS Warranty
Claim Code must be entered when submitting this
transaction. When more than one Warranty Claim Code is
generated for a control module programming event, it is
required to document all Warranty Claim Codes in the
Correction field on the Job Card. Dealers must only enter
one code in the “SPS Warranty Claim Code” field on the
transaction, otherwise the transaction will reject.

Warranty Claim Code Information Retrieval
If the SPS Warranty Claim Code was not recorded on
the Job Card, the code can be retrieved in the SPS
system as follows:
• Open TIS on the computer used to program the
vehicle.
• Select and start SPS.
• Select Settings.
• Select the Warranty Claim Code tab.
The VIN, Warranty Claim Code and Date/Time will be
listed on a roster of recent programming events. If the
code is retrievable, dealers should resubmit the
transaction making sure to include the code in the SPS
Warranty Claim Code field.

Version

4

Modified

Released September 04, 2018
September 21, 2018 – Added new Models and Model Years.
March 13, 2019 – Added the Cruze, Equinox, Impala, and Malibu models, added first
Note under Service Procedure, updated the stable battery voltage Note and changed the
warranty statement.
May 23, 2019 – Updated the Condition, added the Envision model, changed the Labor
Operation, added SPS Warranty Claim Code information and added Additional
Keywords.

Additional Keywords: Blinking, Flickering, Flashing

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY
TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION