BURNED...by a Buick?? (USB Ports DEAD)

Kind of a silly customer complaint: the USB charging ports don't work in this 2016 Buick Envision.
After checking the basic Power and Ground at the "USB Hub", I found a TSB that describes the USB Hub failures. Must be a bad USB Hub, right?
WRONG!!
Had to do a second visit to the shop to complete the diagnosis.
WHAT DID I MISS??
LAUNCH X431 PRO3S+
www.amazon.com/dp/B092894STV?...
ASTRO DC AMP CLAMP:
www.amazon.com/dp/B08MTCMWLB?...
Enjoy!
Ivan

[@UNEEK_LOGIK]

Answer to your question: recent AC repairs were performed (dash removal) Sitting here eating my bowl of cereal LMAO cause I already knew where the problem was.. GM TECH OUT!!

[@bigdaddymak1439]

Something tells me you've been there before 🤔🤔🤣🤣

[@UNEEK_LOGIK]

@@bigdaddymak1439 you are definitely right about that 😅

[@KStewart-th4sk]

Were you LMAO the first time around with this problem? Probably not. It's always easier the second time around.

[@farmermiyagi1338]

Previous owner got tired of his girlfriend always playing on her phone, so he killed the USB port. XD

[@jg7041]

Something to keep in mind in the future… on certain gm models the HMI and radio are updated/programmed through a USB stick. You download the file onto the stick through your laptop using techline, and then insert the stick in the car usb port. The car screen should then ask if you want to update. This process takes forever and fails often. It could be different now, but that was the case 3-4 years ago when I was at the dealer.

[@worldsails2000]

That is still how they are updated. I have a 2019 TourX and the radio updates are installed this way.

[@scrappy7571]

I've had that USB connector unplugged before, several times. It was always after another repair. Those 2016 models were famous for the rear HVAC temp door breaking. Repair involved removing the entire dash board.

[@IBenZik]

That sounds like an oh sugar, honey ice tea day. 🙂

[@teekay_1]

Sounds like GM (probably many others as well) have given up on the industrial engineering side of the house in thinking through how their cars will be serviced. From their standpoint, it's a win/win. Less engineering costs up front, cheaper to build, and when it breaks out of warranty, the customer will get an estimate for $5-6K and they trade it and buy a new car. What's not to love if you're an exec at a car company. If you think about it, they could build cars that could 100% self-diagnose

[@christopherkidwell9817]

You would think that the people would make a list to say "Oh, remember to plug back in all the connectors INCLUDING THE USB CONNECTOR!" That is just poor mechanic work there by whoever worked on the AC.

[@scrappy7571]

@@christopherkidwell9817 Make a list, it's not the space shuttle. Nobody got time for that! Flat rate pay, mistakes are gonna happen.

[@ferrumignis]

@@scrappy7571 He means GM should provide a checklist for the person doing the repair to complete.

[@xrisdavid785]

A-HA.....the ol' USB SPARK GAP problem !! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@robertsmith2956]

Interesting the consoles back USB works. I would have pulled up it's diagrams as well to see what is different. Probably lead right to that box, and then swap cables to see if problem swaps ports. But oh, one isn't hooked up.... LOL

[@ATSNorthernMI]

Another fine example of sticking to the service data and not to miss anything. I've been around schematics and blueprints so I understand overlooking something. It's difficult when you're banging your head against a wall at a shop with them waiting for a diagnosis. I had to replace the usb port in my new car because someone plugged something in backwards and broke all the pins off the port. They were 50 dollars dealer order part. The dealer wouldn't cover it on their basic warranty like it was some kind of maintenance item. Took me 2 minutes to replace.

[@emmettturner9452]

“Someone’s been here before.” Don’t be so sure. My brother’s brand new 2022 Bolt EV had no working USB ports. Took a few dealer visits to sort it out too. Unless the dealer did that when performing the battery recall service before the first sale, it was like that from the factory.

[@dustcommander100]

As usual, your knowledge of and ability to use documentation proficiently pays off!

[@johnz8210]

Another good lesson, thanks. TSB's can be very helpful, but in the end they're just pattern failures - a potential trap we can all fall into sometimes.

[@robertsmith2956]

I'm shocked buick didn't serialize the usb hub. Bet someone was fired over that mistake.

[@larrytaylor7753]

Are you the only guy in the country with the tools and the smarts to diagnose cars. it seems that any “shop” should be equipped and qualified to diagnose. Job security for you.

[@truracer20]

As more and more shops devolve towards flat rate, techs don't have time to perform indepth diagnostics, they only have time available to follow the manufacturer flow chart. Why was that connector left un[plugged? Flat rate. If the book says the job takes 5.5 hours and it takes a tech 6 hours then that tech donates half an hour to the customer. So corners are cut. There is no time remaining for the tech to completely review their work. Maybe they managed to meet or beat book time and are going to bank that as either a break even or time ahead. It's like golf you break even at par, you get ahead by finishing below par. So when you have your vehicle repaired in a flat rate shop you must expect a SUB-PAR job.

[@patriotgarage]

@@truracer20 flat rate has *nothing* to do with it. The fear of charging for diag has EVERYTHING to do with it. We call it time and materials. customer states "usb isn't working, authorizes 1 hour diag" if the problem isn't found in that hour more time is needed. if the say no, pay the bill and take your car.

[@KStewart-th4sk]

@@patriotgarage Unfortunately, these days many people have the attitude "oh they just plug in a scanner, it tells them what's wrong, they change the part(s), diagnostic time is just a bunch of BS to make more money".

[@Cheepchipsable]

@@patriotgarage Yes, people don't like the idea of paying just to get a diagnosis which could run into the hundreds. Especially for a cheap car.

[@joekuntzman4016]

He is one of the few. It's difficult to diagnose vehicles to be honest. The idea that it's simple, and anyone can do it is one of the great misconceptions of this field. The information you will need to solve a particular problem often involves understanding systems in a way that isn't going to be laid out in a classroom. His success rate at solving these kinds of problems is astonishing. Very knowledgeable dude, very sharp thinker.

[@JoseSilveira-newhandleforYT]

Great diagnostic, Ivan! Not an easy issue to follow (brings back memories of my trouble with the USB hub in my PC, that was faulty but acted normal). Certainly some sticky fingers were there testing something in the BCM, and forgot to put everything together. Silly fault but still time consuming.

[@tomsawyer4776]

A set-up ??? Good job rooting out the problem, Ivan. You are the best.

[@robertbeam2520]

I appreciate your hard work and your sleuthy ability thank you. Keep up the good work

[@keltecshooter]

Nice new tool, I recently went all in on the X431 pad 7 , after 2 weeks i am impressed with the speed and features , my think tool is a great back up . Just wanted to put in a good word for technology

[@DanMasters]

I would try a known good usb cable plugged into where the blue and green cables under the dash start. If the new cable is good it’s the wiring to the center console. If it acts the same with the new cable then it’s the stereo. Unfortunately Chinese car stereos are known for dying unexpectedly.

[@philippepoulin-veilleux8332]

I can't wait to learn more about this new scanner😊

[@AP9311]

Wow you got burned in that one!! You said there's nothing wrong with power and grounds but you didn't check for continuouity. Wow you got that nailed! But you got it in the end! Lesson learned!! Great job Ivan!!

[@jutto64]

That was tricky, an unexpected problem! Well done.

[@calholli]

It was actually very simple and straight forward.. He just got side tracked by the TSB. This almost always happens to me. :) .. it's never the common problem for some reason

[@jutto64]

@@calholli Yes, I would not have guessed it to be simply unplugged. Following a know common fault makes the most sense?

[@greystone83]

Hey Ivan a good one before the Holiday weekend..Have a Good one!

[@endtimes2100]

Your Chinese made Buick is broken? No way bro.

[@calholli]

It wasn't broken

[@IBenZik]

Too much child labor.

[@michaelgleason4791]

This comment aged poorly

[@46bovine]

Send it back to Beijing for warranty repairs. Throw Joey in the trunk when you do!

[@donjohnson1416]

That didnt work out well for you LOL. Wasnt even broken ha ha ha ha ha

[@jatco84]

Yeah.. why was that connector unplugged >??? Great that you were able to find the problems... Kudos to you.!!

[@aleskyfinis1025]

Awesome diagnosis😊

[@johnrobinson534]

Thank you Ivan

[@qemuandroid_8.144]

Seeing the mini-USB connector on the hub and the working receptacle on hub 2, I'hav plugged in a mini USB cable in usb 2 and powered hub 1 from it. But then you need to have those cables handy of course. I'm only at 5:13 so anxious to see the final verdict 🙂

[@wisher21uk]

Great work thanks 😊

[@htownblue11]

Nice process and find Ivan. Part of diagnostics is a little,bit of burning tires based on flies which may indeed be false flags (tsb in this instance). None the less, reverting back to your methodical process found the issue.

[@glenharper3136]

Thanks for the video Ivan.

[@lvsqcsl]

I knew you would get it, Ivan. GREAT VIDEO!

[@mikechiodetti4482]

Yup, we've all been there before. Something new with this video.(HMI) Good one Ivan. Best part. You found it!

[@badgerdave22]

Ivan when he sees the connector unplugged: 😮🙄🤦‍♂

[@jimmartin9440]

It was unplugged because the car wanted you to come by and say hi .

[@johnchambers12]

Good video, you have always had more trouble with the vehicles that someone else has TRIED to fix before and then gave up. I wonder what it was unplugged for in the first place, what problem were they trying to solve?

[@johnwhan7288]

Almost like fixing a desktop. Check the power to the wall first.

[@haroldhawkins9370]

Nice video Ivan.

[@raymondhorvatin1050]

thanks for sharing

[@lonwillis783]

Hello Ivan Nice to see you this morning. Thank You

[@fletch3576]

Good morning Ivan 🙏

[@v8motors.]

I thought it was going to be in Valet mode as there was a data pid for that on your scanner. Powers & grounds powers & grounds! oh and make sure its plugged in...👍😄

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

It happens to everyone. Don't beat yourself up Ivan. Thanks!

[@Jpilgrim30]

I’ve been loving the Thinktool Platinum S10 Pro. The only thing that can be a pain sometimes is carrying around that big ThinkLink J box VCI all of the time. I wonder if I could get the ThinkDiag or ThinkDiag 2 VCI to work with it and use unless I need the bigger one on a certain vehicle.

[@WilliamPetefish]

A comment on these, keep a mini usb cable on you. IF your windows machine detects a USB Hub when you connect the mini usb to the ports/media interface, you can infer that the hub is probably good. (Hub > mini usb > USB A end > Computer) Just don't try to connect the mini cable to the HMI side... it doesn't end well.

[@richceglinski7543]

We've all been there. When deciding on diagnostic strategies we think what is most logical. Sabotage is not one of them.

[@TooManyHobbiesJeremy]

Congrats on showing the process & how easy it is to go down the wrong path. Question- who now owns the new usb hub?

[@ericknutson602]

Ahh. The spaghetti of wires....Good job Ivan.

[@Frank-pv1hp]

That was a hell of an air gap on that connector!

[@worldsails2000]

Something similar happened with my 2019 Buick. But in my case the ports would not recognize the music USB stick I plugged in. They charged my phone but no data. I knew there was a software update to my radio because a couple Buick tech on the message board mentioned it. But the dealer kept telling me there was no update. I gave them the TSB number and they said it didn't apply to my car. Told them I wanted a replacement radio then since mine was defective, still under warranty and not operating as it should, they denied that request and told me there wasn't anything else they could do. I called the Buick customer service number. They offered to send a tech to the shop so I dropped the car off on the specified date. Got a call from the dealer the next day telling me the Buick tech did a software update to the radio, even though the dealer tech swore there were no updates and the USB port module was bad so it was replaced. The USB ports have been working since.

[@michaelpairidis7382]

IVAN, the X233 USB connector was unplugged because when the shit hits the fan it comes in three's as they say. From here on things will be better (or at least look better). Cowboys everywhere🤠🤠🤠🤠 🤠

[@tomtke7351]

There's a general observation that Chinese are exceptionally detail oriented meaning they generally are conscientious. Chinese leaders can be extremely overbearing resulting in dangerous cut-corners. Oriental students run circles around our U.S. students in college.

[@billmalec]

My VW USB was wonky. Fortunately I looked at the connection pins in the USB port first. One pin was bent over. Bent it back and it then worked.

[@robertsmith2956]

Borrowed nieces ipad to plug in and see the radio interface when car was new. first and last time port was ever used.

[@timd1833]

1:46 "Nothing wrong with the wiring..." ??????? How did you come to that conclusion so quickly? 2:27 TSB #5 says ".....start inspecting the wiring...." When you showed the wiring diagram, 3:04 , I suspected the K233 & K4. C'mon Ivan, you're better than that. I'm still a subscriber and watch your channel daily. Keep them coming. 😉

[@gnomiefirst9201]

Hmm, I watched it again. Not sure what happened to checking for power and ground. Kudos to Ivan for owning it, he could have just dumped posting this. Anyway, IDK much so it was a good lesson for me, back to basics. Cheers.

[@Joserocha-wm9de]

Ivan I have a quick question , my Toyota had a code P0442 ( small evap leak code ) I checked my gas cap seal and it was cracked... I bought a new seal cap and deleted the code ( 3 days ago )... I scanned it yesterday and drive circle it's complete and all monitors are green , that's a fix right? Ty for sharing your knowledge with us

[@Sandmansa]

I've had a similar experience with a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Someone replaced the dash and forgot to plug in a connector.

[@denisrousseau9071]

"Unplug and Play" it's a no go!

[@curtw8827]

Why would you risk plugging your expensive phone into a suspect port device?

[@Johnny-es9xg]

Get yourself some male and female mini USB connectors for those connectors. It will make it easy to see if +5V is present. First thing I would of tested.

[@robertsmith2956]

one ali-express wire will get you both sides then solder the pigtails when you cut it to banana plugs.

[@gulliver3644]

The old bear in the woods scenario.

[@canadatransistor]

Many people are paranoid about being tracked and they " think" disabling the connection to the SD card (needed for nav maps) prevents onstar or other systems from tracking you and doesn't throw an error code like a check engine. The reality is it doesn't disable onstar or gps. It just doesn't display the nav on screen. Just like a pc, an unpopulated USB port is ok. Having a blank USB extender plugged into a pc port won't be a problem. The pids did show it expected a card reader and the value was zero, but it's not a big deal. Side note: The envision is the only buick on the consumer reports recommended list. I own a 22 Envision Essence ST. Yes there are some minor quirks and annoyances but it's the nicest wheels I've ever owned.

[@rafaelmarin1963]

The radio in my wife’s Honda van is w/o the fuse since we bought it. We were told that the slide door wouldn’t work with the radio fuse in. ???

[@suttoncoldfield9318]

12:54 Ivan says "I really don't know what else to do" 😮 Don't think I've ever heard him say that before

[@Z-Ack]

I bought a used tundra and after messing around with it noticed a few modules that were installed but had no wiring. Some had wires going to them but not plugged in.. turned out they install the modules at the factory but dont plug them in based on which package the car is supposed to have. Mine said it didnt have any security system or any of the fancy stuff but after buying a infotainment screen turned out just for that 150$ screen i got navigation, security system with remote start, backup cam and sensors, heated seats and the whole package.. dont think they do that with many cars but guess it was easier to install all the stuff for them for whatever reason..

[@major__kong]

I don't use my truck's USB ports. I drive my vehicles into the ground, so the electronics tend to get behind the times. I installed a 12V auxiliary system powered with a LiFePO4 battery for other reasons, but I use it to power several USB-C PD power supplies that will give me up to 100W each for things like laptops and fast charging my phone. If you were home, one thing you could have tried was feeding it 5V from a power supply to see if at least the charging ports came alive. BTW, those USB-C PD devices take 12-24V in, which makes it very convenient.

[@robertsmith2956]

back ones worked. First thought I would have is it powers the one in the arm rest.

[@vicferrarisgarage]

Awesome

[@Anatoliy911]

Happy 4th of July everyone.

[@marstedt]

Have you tried turning it off and on again? Are you sure it's plugged in??

[@johnt.848]

It came with the new fangled bluetooth USB connections

[@stevenakn1]

The ol bt USB charger 😊

[@BenzJaguar]

Previous owner probably unplugged the X233 Connection to be able to have Car Play & Android Auto Play features 😮

[@TheFlameThrower22299]

Not uncommon to see that. Some GMs have a shift to park issue where you have to replace the shifter and add a jumper harness, which requires that center console to need to be pulled back. I've personally seen this more than once after that repair.

[@maxnoe3079]

I bought a 09 Impreza a few years ago. Driver’s power door lock didn’t work and fresh air to recirculate blend door wasn’t working. Both were just unplugged. What the???? Why??? Who knows. Plugged them in and they have worked fine ever since.

[@TheDisorderly1]

Don't use your phone to test usb outlets Ivan.

[@joevaagen6170]

Why was X233 unplugged? I believe 2 causes 1 on initial purchase the owner didn't want that "option" at the time so on pre-delivery it was either unplugged or just left alone, 2 owner took to dealer for that issue and the tech or even the service writer wanted to "up sell" more expensive BCM when the returned for the charging port problem!!

[@Fjord_Driver]

It was unplugged so that it will save energy. Lots of energy needs saving so electric vehicles can be charged during heat waves. Buick is an energy saving beast. Want to save more, unplug more stuff.

[@tschuuuls486]

I looked this up: They asked Californian customers nicely to not charge on two days between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.. It wasn't mandatory. And also the power prices are usually demand based there, so almost nobody would charge at this time anyways, because power was 50ct/kWh at that time. It actually makes sense to make the customer aware that power doesn't magically appear at your house and ask nicely to save some power at peak demand times if it's not an inconvenience. That will save a bunch of cost and co2.

[@Fjord_Driver]

@@tschuuuls486 Good luck on that Co2 in Canada, the middle east, China, India etc. They are not concerned about tree huggers in California or anywhere else for that matter. Last I checked, the jet streams don't care either.

[@tschuuuls486]

@@Fjord_Driver Canada has 65% renewable energy percentage in their grid, not even counting the 15% nuclear power. China is building tons of solar and wind because it's incredibly cheap if you don't give Karen's rights to veto the building of said infrastructure. Also they just opened a huge grid level storage battery based on sodium ion technology. Developing nations won't be an issue because China will build the infrastructure there to make massive profits and local influence (see Ethiopia). Airfare will be an issue for sure. The framing "tree hugger" is massively deceiving, if we don't get this sorted, millions of people won't have places to live due to drought, heatwaves and extreme weather conditions.

[@Fjord_Driver]

@@tschuuuls486 China is the single most industrial polluting country in the world. If you think China is looking out for your interests, you probably think gang bangers have your best interests at heart. Not a chance in hell. Extreme weather? That thing out there we call the sun is going to go red giant. Ain't no saving the planet. It's a one way ticket to the toaster oven. All those things we enjoy now came with the industrial revolution. Feel free to give it all up and go live in a cave somewhere like Survivor man. You know how much oil is in one of those big wind generators? A lot. People will have places to live. They can all move to California. Nancy Pelosi has room at her place.

[@Username-qx9gk]

Feature removed for American market??

[@mikeadler434]

👍👍

[@ws2664]

that was a good one.

[@n3lee]

Owning a business is difficult, Owning your own f-ups (or those under your command) is also equally difficult. Honesty builds loyalty -- it's alright to jump to conclusions, as long as you don't overshoot and land in the parts can(y)on.

[@weldingjunkie]

I wonder if if it kept blowing fuses, or I had a parasitic drain maybe? Very interesting tho

[@mattbrown5511]

You are going to see that pile again. There was a reason that it was unplugged. Otherwise, the owner would have had it at the stealership many times prior to you doing the diagnosis.

[@user-my7hv5ld7b]

human machine sounds like something out a sci fi movie maybe said i will be back thats why its unplugged

[@robertsmith2956]

Makes me think of the auto pilot on Airplane.

[@georgebell3964]

👍

[@Diagnosticoswilvert]

Hi Ivan Venezuela

[@StevenDaugherty-uo5cs]

Wiring diagrams to the rescue.

[@davidclemens1578]

Perhaps the previous owner had unplugged it because the port was not working and had intended to replace it but never did when they sold it. And like most people when selling a car you either forget or don't care because it's just a minor problem.

[@izzzzzz6]

No Parts Required!

[@nhzxboi]

Those silly oscillating progress circles....they get fancier and more numerous every day. Give me back the hour glass. So much fluff in software interface. Geesh.

[@a68k_de]

easy said while writing this comment, I know. But always first check cables / wiring ;-) but who wold guess that the USB from the console is not wired directly to the radio ...

[@fir3w4lk3r]

I could be unplugged as a security requirement.

[@jmistret419]

My thoughts exactly. Someone took the time for some reason to unplug it🤔

[@emmettturner9452]

My brother’s Bolt EV came like that from the dealer.

[@Username-qx9gk]

Maybe to protect the owner from data loss (card slot)? Or shady deal with cell/streaming providers?

[@calholli]

Someone was under there.. probably fixing AC or vents or something.. Just forgot the plug when going back together in haste

[@billsimpson604]

@@calholli That is the most likely cause.

[@robertsmith2956]

Probably did it when they heard about the USB car theft ring.

[@rudolfbenner4802]

Were they running a test on you?

[@ognjenjakovljevic494]

someone is testing you 😂

[@calholli]

I was wondering why you weren't checking wire continuity.. It was the only thing left.. other than a cooked computer

[@markmenzies4218]

It starts to get a bit hot & smokey after a while.

[@kevinsavard5998]

That sucks when you get burned because someone else was there monkeying around before you checked it. Good lesson though

[@snailer06]

step 1: IS IT PLUGGED IN?

[@mrsfgogo09]

And now Ivan is going to get a call back for a parasitic draw my experience thats usually what people do if they have a draw, they just unplug it because they don’t want to do the footwork or they don’t want to replace it

[@nv1493]

The complex silliness of today's vehicles is only matched by their undependability.

[@ischmidt]

This was a much more classic "the other shop did it" problem though. Someone had the console apart to mess with the heat or A/C or whatever and didn't plug everything back in.

[@46bovine]

@@ischmidtpoor tech training or being rushed by the boss.

[@donjohnson1416]

Really wasnt a car problem lol. BUT OK KAREN

[@falcon8553]

Unbelievable

[@jeffmiller6100]

Its already a process to figure out a issue with module laden vehicles. Then throw in a previous repair uncompleted uncompleted 😮

[@ironcross420]

Techs need to slow down and go back to basics. I've seen it multiple times techs grab the new snap on scanner that they justified the shop to buy off the truck but not use correctly, used for its value, then give up and handed off to another tech to diag. I then get the diag as 3rd tech and found a fuse to blown. I test drove the vehicle hard stops, bumps to see if I can get the fuse to pop. Shipped it. Next day the truck is back dead again. Same fuse. Turned out someone wired the aftermarket radio 12v key on power to the key sense circuit which a 2A fuse. I never turned the radio on test driving it thus why no idea.

[@CRAZY_VIDS07]

WEIRD HOW MANY PLUGS DISCONNECTED AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT 😅😅

[@major__kong]

Check engine light is usually for emissions or at least the engine. My Ford had an extra light just for the transmission. If the USB cable is unplugged, it will throw a code but not a light. I think if they put in a light for non-safety systems, it would constantly be going off. There's always some CAN blip or something like that.