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Chevrolet U197A

G111 and/or G112 may not be properly torqued. Correction: Inspect G111 and G112 to confirm they are torqued to specificatio

DriveNot yet established by verified evidence.
ChargeNot yet established by verified evidence.
ServiceContact a Chevrolet dealer or qualified service facility, particularly if the vehicle has a clicking starter when the Start button is pressed or if U197A is active.
Confidence95%

Quick answer

For certain U.S. Chevrolet Equinox vehicles, DTC U197A is documented in GM communications in two different contexts: it may be associated with G111 and/or G112 not being properly torqued, and it may mean “Ethernet Time Synchronization Signal Invalid” when set by B174W. Exact applicability to an individual vehicle and the applicable repair path must be confirmed by a Chevrolet dealer or qualified service facility.

This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.

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1. What does U197A mean?

For certain U.S. Chevrolet Equinox vehicles, DTC U197A is documented in GM communications in two different contexts: it may be associated with G111 and/or G112 not being properly torqued, and it may mean “Ethernet Time Synchronization Signal Invalid” when set by B174W. Exact applicability to an individual vehicle and the applicable repair path must be confirmed by a Chevrolet dealer or qualified service facility.

2. Technical explanation

The supplied evidence identifies U197A in official GM/NHTSA manufacturer communications. PIT6282/PIT6282A lists U197A among DTCs that may be present when G111 and/or G112 may not be properly torqued; its stated correction is to inspect G111 and G112 and confirm torque to specification. Separate communications PIT6503D/PIT6503E describe U197A as “Ethernet Time Synchronization Signal Invalid,” set by B174W. The supplied evidence does not establish that every U197A has the same meaning or cause.

3. What system is affected?

Not yet established by verified evidence. The verified communications reference G111/G112 and, separately, an Ethernet time-synchronization signal set by B174W.

4. How serious is this code?

Unknown. The supplied evidence does not assign a severity level.

5. Symptoms you may notice

  • PIT6282/PIT6282A references a clicking starter when the Start button is pressed in a condition where U197A may be present.
  • PIT6503D/PIT6503E states that U197A may be set as Active or History.

6. Possible causes

  • G111 and/or G112 may not be properly torqued, according to PIT6282/PIT6282A.
  • For U197A described as “Ethernet Time Synchronization Signal Invalid” and set by B174W, the underlying cause is not established by the supplied verified evidence.

7. Can I still drive the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

8. Can I charge the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

9. What you can safely do

  • Arrange professional diagnosis using the vehicle-specific GM service information and the applicable manufacturer communication.
  • Do not attempt electrical, grounding, network, or high-voltage repairs based solely on this code.

10. Step-by-step troubleshooting

  1. Confirm the vehicle identification, model year, and whether the relevant GM communication applies.
  2. Determine whether U197A is Active or History and identify the module setting the code.
  3. For the PIT6282/PIT6282A condition, have a qualified service facility inspect G111 and G112 and confirm they are torqued to specification.
  4. For a U197A set by B174W under PIT6503D/PIT6503E, follow the applicable GM diagnostic procedure; further steps are not established by the supplied evidence.

11. When to contact service

Contact a Chevrolet dealer or qualified service facility, particularly if the vehicle has a clicking starter when the Start button is pressed or if U197A is active.

12. What the service center may check

  • Verify whether U197A is stored as Active or History.
  • Identify whether B174W set U197A.
  • Inspect G111 and G112 and confirm torque to specification when PIT6282/PIT6282A applies.

13. Possible repair or resolution

  • PIT6282/PIT6282A specifies inspection of G111 and G112 to confirm torque to specification.
  • A repair resolution for the B174W Ethernet time-synchronization version of U197A is not yet established by the supplied verified evidence.

14. Affected vehicles

15. Related TSBs / service bulletins

  • PIT6282, NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 11011192, published November 12, 2024: lists U197A among codes that may be present where G111 and/or G112 may not be properly torqued; directs inspection and confirmation of torque to specification. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-11011192-0001.pdf
  • PIT6282A, NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 11011319, published November 18, 2024: same verified U197A/G111/G112 context. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-11011319-0001.pdf
  • PIT6503D, NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 11036400, published August 21, 2026: identifies U197A as “Ethernet Time Synchronization Signal Invalid,” set by B174W. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2026/MC-11036400-0001.pdf
  • PIT6503E, NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 11036709, published August 27, 2026: identifies U197A as “Ethernet Time Synchronization Signal Invalid,” set by B174W. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2026/MC-11036709-0001.pdf

16. Recall information

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

17. Official manufacturer information

Verified applicability data identifies U.S. Chevrolet Equinox model year 2025, plus an overlapping Chevrolet Equinox U.S. applicability range of model years 2025–2026. The supplied evidence does not resolve which individual communication applies to each year or vehicle configuration.

19. Frequently asked questions

What does U197A mean?

The supplied evidence documents two contexts. PIT6282/PIT6282A lists U197A among codes that may be present when G111 and/or G112 may not be properly torqued. PIT6503D/PIT6503E describes U197A as “Ethernet Time Synchronization Signal Invalid,” set by B174W.

Can I drive with U197A?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

Can I charge with U197A?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

What repair is documented?

For the PIT6282/PIT6282A condition, GM’s stated correction is to inspect G111 and G112 and confirm they are torqued to specification.

20. Sources & verification

Verified
Chevrolet U197A: G111 and/or G112 may not be properly torqued.… | EV Diagnostics