Shorted out a computer in the dash?

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bobenson

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My 2022 Tahoe isn't running after running over some junk in the freeway which punctured the AC line under the car that goes all the way back to the rear AC. For a while the car started and ran fine but I noticed that AC fluid was leaking under the dash. You can see the red fluid pooled up in the black platic area. I can't drive it anymore because it will turn over but not stay running. The Speedometer / Cluster won't light up at all anymore. I can see that under the dash in the center console, (especially passenger side) you can see that the car is leaking what I think is freon. It's a red oily liquid. Is there a Engine control module or computer that is in this area which is shorting out, or damaged that won't allow communication between the car and instrument cluster or engine? When I hookup my OBD scanner it says cluster lost connection or something liket that.

Any help would be appreciated.

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Wes
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My 2022 Tahoe isn't running after running over some junk in the freeway which punctured the AC line under the car that goes all the way back to the rear AC. For a while the car started and ran fine but I noticed that AC fluid was leaking under the dash. You can see the red fluid pooled up in the black platic area. I can't drive it anymore because it will turn over but not stay running. The Speedometer / Cluster won't light up at all anymore. I can see that under the dash in the center console, (especially passenger side) you can see that the car is leaking what I think is freon. It's a red oily liquid. Is there a Engine control module or computer that is in this area which is shorting out, or damaged that won't allow communication between the car and instrument cluster or engine? When I hookup my OBD scanner it says cluster lost connection or something liket that.

Any help would be appreciated.

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is the coolant reservoir still full?
there should not be any ac lines right there, being it is a T2 can't say that for sure, seems more possible the heater core is leaking.
generally the radio amp is under there and that's what those wires should lead to
 

DuraYuk

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Stop taking it apart and take it to dealer. That ref stuff is either coolant or soda. Freon is green. Dexcool is orange. Could be heater core leaking.
 
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bobenson

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It isn't under warranty anymore. I am just trying to find out what computer or relay in this area might have been shorted out and could be causing the Speedometer/cluster to not turn on. Anyone have any ideas?
 

wjburken

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It isn't under warranty anymore. I am just trying to find out what computer or relay in this area might have been shorted out and could be causing the Speedometer/cluster to not turn on. Anyone have any ideas?
It may not be under warranty, but your insurance might cover road damage but if you keep tearing stuff apart before the adjuster can look at it, this may all be in your dime to fix all the damage.
 

WalleyeMikeIII

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Freon (realistically in this vehicle the A/C refrigerant is R-1234yf) is not liquid when not under pressure, it is a gas...your A/C system may have some dye in it to detect leaks, this is usually either green or reacts to UV (Black) light.
Coolant in the GM Vehicles is pinkish/red, and tends to a more rust red color as it ages...this looks like what you have taken a picture of.

If the road hazard damaged the A/C line (containing the R-1234yf) under the vehicle that services the rear evaporator, the A/C system will become discharged, and the compressor should quit running to prevent damage to it via the pressure switch. This action would not cause a coolant leak inside the cabin.

Now, if the road hazard damaged the "heater lines" going to the rear A/C unit, I would expect a loss of coolant in the engine cooling system and this would be a critical failure. Depending on how big the leak is, and how much coolant you lost, you could potentially overheat the engine; possibly doing irreparable damage to the engine. Normally you would see this rise in engine temp on the gauge cluster, but you siad that the cluster has been rendered inoperable. I still don't think this, in and of itself would cause a coolant leak inside the cabin, unless the coolant line was pinched, or the pressure in the system became so high (due to the overheat), that it blew a hole in the heater core or one of the lines running to it.

I can't recall whether the BCM controls the gauge cluster or whether that is direct from the ECM. Could be either, so not sure, but if you have coolant leaking onto modules under the console, you definitely have an issue.

Since warranty is over (although the powertrain warranty is 5yrs/60k miles), I would follow the advice above. Quit trying to diagnose yourself, stop tearing apart, take to the dealer, have them assess the damages, and give an estimate, and if caused by road hazard, contact your insurance for a claim. Else, you are going to foot the bill for the whole works.
 
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bobenson

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BCM and ECM are both under the center area of the dash?
 

Joseph Garcia

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Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.
 

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