The only issue I've really had with the Limited was that the "-" button sticks on the trailer brake controller and after it sticks in for ~30 seconds it throws a "service trailer brake controller" message. I figured out I could pop it back out with the corner of a credit card so I've been wondering for two months if it's just sticking in the housing. I really hated the idea of the service techs taking out the 12" center console to figure it out so I finally decided it had sat on the back burner for too long.
Remove Center Console:
A few notes/observations:
The assembly with it and the toggle switches are held in by two screw on the back and then you have to release four tabs so the assembly will slide out the front. Sure enough, once out, my minus button worked beautifully. I think they had that whole lower assembly jammed against the left side so that the outer portion of the minus button was rubbing against the console housing. Popped it back in and screwed it down but this time pushed it to the right. Works as advertised, I learned something, and nothing broken/scratched/lost by service techs.
Here's a few pics while I was in there:
Remove Center Console:
- Disconnect neg battery terminal! Important for radio!
- Remove rubber tray above 12".
- Remove 2 Phillips screws.
- Say a prayer.
- Grab the top tray with two hands and pull/gently yank. It takes some force. You are pulling a baker's dozen worth of clips out all around the whole center assembly and it makes a sound like you'll soon need a new 12" screen. See pics below.
- While it's out, mind you don't scratch the lower console or dash!
- Disconnect all 5 wiring connectors from back. They all have clips to depress to release: 12V cig lighter, two 12", TBC, toggle switches.
- Reinstallation is to reverse these steps.
A few notes/observations:
- The 12" is housed in a cast metal tray that is screwed/bolted in well and fairly robust. It's clearly meant to last.
- There is a finned metal electronic box right behind it. One tag had a ___tel listed on it so I presume it is part of the LTE system but can't confirm.
- When snapping the console back into place it didn't take near the effort as removal, but it is still solid and squeak free. Overall not hard and that console is built well. I wouldn't take it out any more than I had to, but it's solid.
- There is room to fish wires/other once it's out. Below the left vent, you can see all the way to the floor just past the shifter.
- Radio:
- When I reconnected the battery and started it, I had an "Oh @#$%!" moment when a brand new theme presented itself - black and red. It said "Radio Locked" and everything was reset. I poked a few buttons and wondered how long it would take to drive to the dealer.
- I turned off the truck and started it back up again and everything was back to normal. Seems there is a handshake somewhere between the radio and another computer. The only thing off was my theme reverted to Limited "hard to read" and the SXM input was changed to a headphone jack. I just drug SXM back to that spot and I'm back in business.
- On the back of the 12" are two connectors. One looks like a regular factory multi-wire connector but the other appears to have an antenna lead in the middle of it. Seems a lot of the 12" radio system is contained in the screen/center console.
The assembly with it and the toggle switches are held in by two screw on the back and then you have to release four tabs so the assembly will slide out the front. Sure enough, once out, my minus button worked beautifully. I think they had that whole lower assembly jammed against the left side so that the outer portion of the minus button was rubbing against the console housing. Popped it back in and screwed it down but this time pushed it to the right. Works as advertised, I learned something, and nothing broken/scratched/lost by service techs.
Here's a few pics while I was in there:
