Dash warning lights after programming spare key - any ideas?

Hoping to gain some wisdom from the forum. This is on my '08 CM. I needed another spare key (my other one stopped unlocking the tailgate) so I went to a local locksmith to get a new transponder key cut and programmed.

They had no issues with cutting the key or getting it to start the truck, but when I started it up to leave, all these dash warning lights popped up: e-brake (steady), traction control (steady), VSC Off (blinking), and ABS (steady). The check engine light is NOT on. I pointed it out to the locksmith but he looked like a deer in headlights and said he had no idea what to do, and I was in a hurry so I just left. The truck runs and drives fine.

At home I tried unplugging the negative terminal to see if that cleared anything out, but even after two 15-minute waits the same warning lights popped right back up at start. Since the issue I've driven the truck probably 45 minutes total, no issues with performance but the problem hasn't gone away on its own.

Any ideas on how to resolve? It's clearly related to the programming of the key, which is something I know very little about. I wasn't sure if it was worth going to a parts store and using their code reader since there's no CEL. Or maybe I need to take it to the dealer, which I try to avoid at almost all costs... Thanks for your input!

 

If you unhook the battery for half an hour then use your old key, does this still happen?

 

I used my original key this morning, but didn't wait a half hour on the unplug. I'll try that now and report back.

 

I saw on a separate thread "Diagnostic Help" that you posted a really interesting color chart of the various code combinations. Based on that my combo of VSC (flashing) / Traction (on) / Brake (on) / ABS (on) = "Shorted Wheel Sensor". Am I reading that right?

I also saw your comment on that thread about it potentially being a bad battery. Does a battery going out tend to throw a bunch of lights? I just checked the purchase date on mine, it's 3 years ago last month, with a 3-year warranty, so that means it's probably approaching end of useful life.

I'm totally open to it being either of those things; feels like a hard-to-ignore coincidence for it to happen with the key reprogram, but you never know!

 

Update: tried the 30 minute disconnect, but nothing changed.

I did notice a fair amount of white corrosion on the battery terminal, so that may be related if a battery issue can cause lights to pop up.

 

It is definitely worth checking on the battery. The issue could be coincidental, did the locksmith plug anything into the truck during the keying process?

 

Have a feeling your battery is getting weak, and no longer holding a good charge. I'm on my 3rd battery in the 7 years I had my truck.
Get it tested or try to charge it and see if that fixes the issue.

 

He did, in order to code the transponder key to the truck. I didn't get a good look at the tool he used though.

 

If anyone finds this thread in the future with a similar issue, my resolution was to take it to my local shop and ask him to run some diagnostics. Ultimately he reset the steering angle sensor and a couple other things and that cleared the various lights. He told me he couldn’t see anything obviously wrong. So far so good, hoping that whatever the cause was resolved. Good luck to you if you are investigating mystery error lights!

 

I had a extra key made at my local ACE hardware store and they didn't need to hook anything up to my truck. They had a device that copied the data from my original key to the new one.