Illuminated Front Door Sill Plates not working

Flyboy said:

My new 2020 Blazer came with Illuminated Front Door Sill Plates (Part No . 84838088) installed by the dealer. They're not working, so I'm going to see if the dealer can fix them. However, just as a warning to others, these things are JUNK... They are plastic with tiny watch batteries in them and are simply attached to the car with double sided tape. No interface with the car at all. I've checked the batteries and they only illuminate if you pound on them with your hand...and even then don't stay lit.

The description of the option on the Chevy accessories site says that they "Automatically illuminate when door is opened and turn off when door closes". They definitely do NOT do that and I have no idea how they are supposed to work since they have no connection to the car.

Does anyone know how these things really work? View attachment 1070

Click to expand...

Flyboy said:

My new 2020 Blazer came with Illuminated Front Door Sill Plates (Part No . 84838088) installed by the dealer. They're not working, so I'm going to see if the dealer can fix them. However, just as a warning to others, these things are JUNK... They are plastic with tiny watch batteries in them and are simply attached to the car with double sided tape. No interface with the car at all. I've checked the batteries and they only illuminate if you pound on them with your hand...and even then don't stay lit.

The description of the option on the Chevy accessories site says that they "Automatically illuminate when door is opened and turn off when door closes". They definitely do NOT do that and I have no idea how they are supposed to work since they have no connection to the car.

Does anyone know how these things really work? View attachment 1070

Click to expand...

I was tempted to pick these up but decided 1) I didn't like that they were battery operated, 2) except the light-up feature which would lasts seconds each interaction, they don't look all that different from the factory sills. So the cost wasn't worth it to me. After hearing about your experience, I'm very glad I didn't partake.

My guess is the closing of the door pushes the sill down slightly, enough to deactivate the light. In theory, of course. Sorry about your experience.

Flyboy said:

My new 2020 Blazer came with Illuminated Front Door Sill Plates (Part No . 84838088) installed by the dealer. They're not working, so I'm going to see if the dealer can fix them. However, just as a warning to others, these things are JUNK... They are plastic with tiny watch batteries in them and are simply attached to the car with double sided tape. No interface with the car at all. I've checked the batteries and they only illuminate if you pound on them with your hand...and even then don't stay lit.

The description of the option on the Chevy accessories site says that they "Automatically illuminate when door is opened and turn off when door closes". They definitely do NOT do that and I have no idea how they are supposed to work since they have no connection to the car.

Does anyone know how these things really work? View attachment 1070

Click to expand...

Flyboy said:

My new 2020 Blazer came with Illuminated Front Door Sill Plates (Part No . 84838088) installed by the dealer. They're not working, so I'm going to see if the dealer can fix them. However, just as a warning to others, these things are JUNK... They are plastic with tiny watch batteries in them and are simply attached to the car with double sided tape. No interface with the car at all. I've checked the batteries and they only illuminate if you pound on them with your hand...and even then don't stay lit.

The description of the option on the Chevy accessories site says that they "Automatically illuminate when door is opened and turn off when door closes". They definitely do NOT do that and I have no idea how they are supposed to work since they have no connection to the car.

Does anyone know how these things really work? View attachment 1070

Click to expand...

When I was building my 2020 RS I had picked these but when I ordered it, I was told I they weren't available for my model. I thought it was odd that I was able to pick on them when building. In going back to the site, I see that they aren't even available at all now. After seeing this post, I'm glad I didn't waste my money.

Sooooooo..... Dealer replaced the "illuminated door sills" under warranty.... And the new ones don't work properly either (Driver's works, passenger doesn't). Dealer wrote on the work order "still not working properly" and told me to open a case with GM. They're out of ideas...

Anyone have any ideas? It would be great if I could actually figure out what these plastic, watch battery operated things use to sense when to turn on. Maybe then I could fix them myself!