Cluster High Pitch Noise

[stanharvell]

Hi,
I am new to the site and have been searching for this issue for a few months now but have not found anyone with the same issue.

I have a 2011 Tahoe LTZ and there is a intermittent high pitch sound coming from the instrument panel. It sounds like the high pitch sounds that you hear when you get a hearing test. It is not always present and the tone/pitch/volume of it changes at random. I know it is not the CD/DVD NAV disk spinning and it is not the buzz noise that increases with speed and comes from the speakers - I have heard that before in another Chevy and I don't have that problem, thankfully.

I think I have determined that it is coming from the "PNRDM" gear selector light. If I can hear the sound while driving even while the AC and radio are on or off I can turn the vehicle off and then turn the key to the "on" position (not starting the vehicle back up though) so that only that gear selector light comes on. I can hear the high pitch noise start as soon as that gear selector light lights up.

I have had the thing for about a year and its is really starting to hurt my ears...like a dog whistle I guess. I can't figure out what to do.

I took it to the local Chevy Dealership to look and listen to it. Of course they could not recreate the issue so I went back and asked for a drive test with a service rep. I heard the noise when he brought the vehicle around to the pick up area but he could not hear it. I assume due to age/hearing or whatever. It stopped shortly after so I asked for someone to ride with me for a mile or 2 to see if it would start again. It did not...until the next day! Several other family/friends have confirmed they hear it and I was able to record it on my iPhone. I played it for the service rep and they still cant hear it. I told the rep all of the above and they said they would not recommend any fix until they could recreate the problem multiple times which I doubt will ever happen. I was quoted about $600 to replace the cluster but was told that was bad idea if it was not pin pointed to that.

Anyone heard this or have this problem! Please help my ears are sore.

 

[stanharvell]

After further testing it seems that the light sensor on the dash may have some impact on this problem. It seems to come and go with changes in ambient light. I also rode with a black hat covering the photo sensor and the noise did not occur for a 15 min drive. Maybe a coincidence since it has been mostly at random but driving to gym every morning the noise starts at approximately the same place and time during the drive there in a brighter spot with less trees around.

Any ideas????

Can you disable the photo sensor or just cover it? That forces night mode though.

 

[Clean07Burb]

After further testing it seems that the light sensor on the dash may have some impact on this problem. It seems to come and go with changes in ambient light. I also rode with a black hat covering the photo sensor and the noise did not occur for a 15 min drive. Maybe a coincidence since it has been mostly at random but driving to gym every morning the noise starts at approximately the same place and time during the drive there in a brighter spot with less trees around.

Any ideas????

Can you disable the photo sensor or just cover it? That forces night mode though.

The dealer can probably hear it, they just don't know what the hell is causing it. Lol

And yes, you can disable the light sensor. I did this by removing it and unplugging it and installing a resistor into the pigtail that would normally plug into the sensor. It doesn't necessarily "disable" it, it just tricks the truck into thinking its always light outside. After this modification you will no longer have a working automatic headlight function, but you will have absolute control over when your lights are on/off. Just like any other vehicle without auto headlights.