Just wondering if anybody has had his issue before, it's a 08' model, thanks! If not i guess i'll have to go get a new system put it

 

Yep had the same issue on my 2009 H2. Right after they changed out the battery. The screen would be blank but the radio worked fine. Then sometime it would come back on. Then other times it would go dark after starting. Also noticed that the "GPS" was off slightly as I would approach an intersection. It would show slightly behind the location when I got there.

So I pulled the radio and sent it out to https://infotainment.com/shop/servic...ation-radio-4/ I would call them first and ask questions. I know the List price of a New one is slightly over 2K $.. I got a deal on my thru some contacts.
I had to pay up front I think it was $450.00 . You have to read the details on there site. They tested it and sent it back and said it was fine. They also said they ran it for 24 Hours off and on and the screen never went dark. They refunded part of my money and returned the radio.

When I put it back in it worked for a While then went dark again. And at that point I bought a brand new one. Had to take it to the dealer so they could download the driver program for the Radio. Since the 2008 and 2009 are Surround Radios and use two different Amps the program is special to that radio. I still have the original one in a shipping box.

The programing cost me $150.00. And it has to be done at a GM dealer making sure they select the correct download as this radio is Surround and special.

 

Thank you so much Mark, I talked to one of my buddies today & he had the same issue but it wasn't when he changed out the battery he said the stereo place that changed it out said it had apparently gotten some rain up in there! He got a new system put it & he said it was a sony from best buy for $500, but since you said that I did just put a new battery in about a month ago, what was so weird is I just put some new tires on it & that's when I realized it went blank on me but I knew that shouldn't have been an issue with my screen

 

Hey Matt,
Yeah the next time I have battery installed I'll make sure I pull the radio 30 Amp fuse. If I lose station or NAV memory I don't care, it's better then replacing a NAV Radio. When they changed my battery they hooked up a 12 Volt battery charger to the Battery cables to keep the system memory .I think they sparked or surged the connection which messed up the radio. Any be careful of those aftermarket radio's. If you buy one buy a top brand name so you have a warranty. In fact I would buy the extra warranty if it comes with one. I usually buy from Best Buy. And I buy extended warranties on big dollar stuff thru them.

My radio never got wet and was totally dry inside. I think they messed it up when they did the battery change over. It only takes a Voltage spike to screw with digital stuff. The radio in the 2008 and 2009 as mentioned is special Surround Sound and Stereo. So you should make sure what ever you buy will drive the 2nd amp system.

 

My wife's '20 GMC screen would be blank at startup then come on after around 10minutes. She took it to the dealer a week ago, they reprogrammed it under warranty, so far so good.

 

That's good to hear. The New NAVs are all Solid state with touch screens for everything. My 2009 NAV was old school loaded with tons of circuit boards and two CD drives... No reprograming that to bring the screen back. Something got damaged internally Only programing was to tell it who it was and what model GM rig it fit into.

 

In my analysis, the cost of repairing the existing unit will be higher than getting a used one, programming it, and installing it yourself. They are pretty easy to pull out and replace. There are a couple GM navigation guys on eBay that will program a used navigation system to your VIN. I just did this with RICARAUDIO2011 on eBay, and worked perfectly in my 2008. I bought this unit and installed it myself... https://www.ebay.com/itm/353157066195

Couple things to consider:
* The 2008 had Bose, No-Bose, and Backup Camera and no Backup Camera options - you have to get the navigation system programmed to your options. Make sure you note everything you need.

* The hardest part of the process is the removal of the metallized plastic trim piece. It is held on with roughly 8 clips, and you need to gently pop them out with a plastic plunger. You absolutely do not want to crack it since that bezel is IMPOSSIBLE to find a replacement for. The navigation is held in place with 4 bolts, with four connectors on the back + nav + antenna

* There are several navigation part numbers that will work with the Hummer. Most were cross compatible with GMC and Chevy. The navigation auto detects the vehicle brand to show the right splash screen. I will hunt down the set of navigation units that will work for the 2008 Hummer if you plan to go down the used route

You can fix one of these yourself if you are handy with electronics. You can purchase a parts only nav system cheap if you hunt long enough on eBay and do replacement.

• First check the ribbon cable that goes from the unit to the screen. This is most likely the cause of your screen going out, but you can hear sound. I can post photos as I repaired my screen previously. The ribbon cable may just need to be reseated. Try opening the navigation disc tray to pop open the screen and see if the ribbon cable is loose. Wiggle it and see if that helps. If it does... you actually need to pop open that screen and reset the ribbon cable - I can post photos on how to do this.
• Second, the screen may be bad. These can be replaced from a parts unit if you are handy, and I can post the process.
• Third, it may be the board inside if there was an electrical surge. There is power full time to the unit, so it is possible, though I think less likely. You can open up the unit and peak at the board and see if there is anything fried. if YES... my recommendation would be to get another unit as all programming and VIN are on the board. Replacing the board would mean reprogramming, and you may as well get another unit.

 

Thanks Bruno, you sound like you really know everything about these units! I just got back in town & haven't done anything yet, but I'll probably just go to Best Buy or somewhere else & let them do it cause I don't think that's something I'd want to try & tackle

 

Correct! Dealer reprogram(warranty protocol) didn't work! She took it back, & they checked ALL connections to the unit(warranty protocol). Long after myself directing the service manager to the source of the issue(internal), a NEW unit is finally on order, and will be installed this week.
I would repair myself! But, why? It's under warranty. Hopefully, I don't have to hear about it anymore!

 

Nah... I'm in Electronics and have had the chance to open a older unit that was junked for parts. They must have been assembled my trained ants as there are many circuit boards and inter connection's and motors and gears and surface mount parts you don't even want to stick your had in there and let alone deal with 10,000 screws.

Like I said ..mine did the same thig ...blank screen off and on and I had sound. Best way to repair and Item as screwed up in design as that is to throw money at it and buy an other one. Life is to short to deal with that problem. Got me a new one ....slammed it in and had the dealer program it to 2009 radio spec. Good to go.

Now I can listen To ...."Ravi Shankar" the Greatest SITAR player in the world all I want .......as I drive down the road of happy endings .