Body Control Module Repair
 

For those of us who own 98-02 Camaros, we all have a BCM that can cause us some issues. Here are the common failures and how to fix it with one simple step.

Windows work only when they want to.
RAP works only when it wants to.
Radio turns off at random, sometimes not comming back on at all.
When radio goes out you lose your power windows too.
RAP does not work at all.

Now these are just a few but most common issues that happen. The problem is usually the BCM and it is a relay on the BCM's board.

The BCM is located behind the glove box and it is in a plastic cradle. It has 3 plugs going into it. Remove it from under the dash and carefuly pry the case open.

Once open you should see a circuit board. Turn if over to its printed side and see if there are cracks in the solder joints of the large relay. (see image below red circle)

Even if you cant see any cracks you may still have some.

I have a 40W iron that I used to reflow the joints. I used the high wattage iron so I could get in and out fast without over heating the board up.

Reflow the joints on the 5 pins circled in black on the image below and reassemble.

Attachment 34784

Hope this helps anyone who has been having these same issues. There may be other issues that this fix will fix. Also other failures can cause windows not to work and the radio too so if this does not fix your issues then something else is the matter.

Massey

so u just reheat them so they melt? stickytime?

I found that adding a little solder also helps in the reflowing process. It is a pretty simple repair to problems that can drive Camaro owners crazy.

Massey

when you say reflow, what do you mean?

Reflow
 

Yes, Massey and I did this on my Camaro, and it has worked for the last six months or so,flawlessly. Reflowing them is the process of heating up the solder joints and adding a small amount of solder to repair the area affected.

You are absolutely a life saver! Just bought a 98 camaro recently with the problems of windows working only when they want to and the radio cutting off and turning back on throughout my drive... annoying as can be. I really appreciate the post!

Yep! had to do this to Tiffany. Windows didn't work when I got her. Me and Blue_Thunder01 took it out resoldered it, and while we were at it we did the Auto headlight delete thing. One cool thing we found out was that my car already has the Highbeam lowbeam mod already done! :D So when my highbeams are on, everything's on! Low, High, and fogs! :D

I've also done the "re solder" thing and it worked wonders for my radio issues. What should also be listed though is the hand/foot twister shape you'll have to get into to see what you're doing when removing the BCM.

Hey Admins... I know the sticky list is long, could someone add this to the How-To sticky? It seems that people need this info from time to time and that would make it much easier to find.

Thanks
Massey

Thank you for this!!! My 97 is doing the EXACT same thing!!!!!! Gonna do this ASAP!!!!!

whats a radio control modual? :)

The What??

Ya got a part # for us to research this? Also are you sure you didnt just get a new BCM put in and the dealer called is a radio control module?

Also 93-95 Camaros used a different style BCM that does not function the same nor does it have all the options in one unit. Radio lockout, keyless entry, and RAP were all in different modules back then.

Massey

Love this, I'll be getting my iron out and doing this in a day or two!

How about for a 1997? My radio cuts in and out while a drive periodically, and I have already inspected all the wiring behind the head unit and all looks well, and I have even swapped in a different head unit to make sure it was that, could one of these control units be my issue?

Yes the 97 BCM is similar to the one in the image and the repair is the same.

Massey

Thanks Massey, Ill tear it out this weekend if its not below zero here :-)

Massey you are awesome...that is all...been scratching my head about this for weeks now...thought my radio was starting to fail.

Glad I could help out. Just lemme know if you have any questions

Massey

You don't really need to sodder...get a REALLY hot iron and the just rub it on the top of the connectors till the sodder liquifies (or however that is spelt :)) Here is one for my car though.
http://catalog.oehq.com/item.wws?sku...20US&weight=15

You are not soldering onto any IC chips you are reflowing a relay post. Use a hot iron and you will be less likely to hurt anything. Just put a dab of fresh solder on the tip then touch the tip to the post once the solder turns to liquid remove the heat and everything hardens back up.

If you want to buy a BCM then contact your local GM dealer with your vin # handy and be prepaired to drop about $350 or so for a new one.

Massey

I saw this board on the BCM. My issues with my 1997 BCM is that I have a security light (car will still start) and when running the BCM makes an audible click. I dont have power windows, just power locks. Not sure if anyone else has seen this before or if there is a thread deep in this topic but thought I would ask if anyone knows what I can do. Thanks for your time.

Awesome! Two thumbs up, i re-soldered a tiny crack in the third pin and reflowed the others, and this fixed my alarm problem and now my radio doesnt cut out everytime i go around a corner. lol. You are the MAN Massey :D

I also found this post very helpful for my radio probs. Although I have yet to "perform" fix, I attempted. Unplugged the clips and with one hand through the glovebox and the other under the glove I wiggled and wiggled, could not get the box out! In fear of damaging anything I reluctantly plugged it all back up and "for now' it doesnt cut out like it did. The wiggling must have bandaided it. I thank you for this post. It is maddening to have that prob!

Yes it is... I found that if you tilt the front of the BCM towards the center of the car as you remove it, helps get it out of that cradle.

Massey

I've been having problems programming remotes on my 96 Z28 for the keyless entry system and have been told that it could be BCM related. I purchased a new remote from GM and have tested it using a device available at Pep Boys. The RF signal was strong, but the car still refuses to sync with the key fob even after following all instructions from the car's manual (also reposted on shbox). From what I've heard, the BCM is supposed to act as a receiver for the keyless entry system from 96 on. I was wondering if anyone has had similar troubles and can it be solved with the said fix?

I'm having these issues with my 96 z28. Does anyone know if the same thing can be done to my vehicle. I am not familiar with soldering so is there any advice anyone can give me?

I already wrote a little how to in this thread about how to best solder the relay points. Your BCM will be VERY similar but not identical. The same relay is on the board but the circuit traces are not the same as in the picture.

Massey

This little box is a HUGE pain in the tail to get out. Really easy to snap back in. Just have to pry the pudding out of it. I know that my dash forever will have my DNA stuck to it from my knuckles.

Massey

Anybody know where the bcm is on a 96 rs

Same place, behind the glove box.

Massey

Fox, thanks for the additions to the thread.

Thanks
Massey

Does anyone know if a similar repair can be made to the ABS control module? I really don't wanna buy a new one those things are crazy expensive.

If a relay or other component has broken free of the ABS logic board then yes a similar repair can be done. Aside from visually inspecting the ABS unit I would not have a clue as to where to start. Components like that are usually non servicable and need to be replaced when they fail.

Massey

Thanks to you guys. My 97 was doing this and driving me crazy. Seemed like every bump in the road or smack on the dash would make the radio and windows work or not work. Half the time the radio would shut off as soon as the key was turned off, so I figured it must be in the RAP. Found this yesterday and did it on my lunch hour. I did leave some flesh up under the dash, but not the first of my DNA I've left on her in the last 14 years. So far so good, the radio has not cut out at all and stays on until I open the door. Now I just need to fix the other window problems, driver side is slow and the passenger side tends to stick when it moves at all.

I seem to have the same problem with a '96 -- radio windows go out intermittently. Does anyone happen to know when they started using this BCM approach? I don't think my '94 had this.

96 has a very similar BCM and it does have the same relay that breaks free of the main board. The main difference in the 96/97 BCM over the rest is the auto headlights. Not available in 96 and optional in 97 and standard in 98+ as best as I can remember. Follow my directions and you will be able to fix the BCM. The first one I ever repaired was out of a 96.

Massey

Wow great info, just bought the same problem in my 96 lol. Can't wait to do this this weekend. Will post and let u know. Thx again just what I was looking for.

My son and I took out the BCM on our '96. It does take a little patience getting to it and then being rough taking it out, but then the repair is pretty simple soldering. A hot iron, a dab of solder, and a reasonably steady hand takes care of it. Replaced the BCM, and it works like it should. Great! BTW, I later found a used BCM at my local pull your own part place for about $25. Some folks might like to have one of these in hand to give them an alternative to the soldering, although I would be inclined to resolder the used one before even installing it.

Also, if you are not used to soldering such things, you might have an old board from a PC lying around that you can practice on. I did this when I had to remove and then solder in the speed sensors on my Avalanche's dash - a lot more delicate than the BCM.

is this your Camaro or just a random pic?:icon_mad: