BCM problem with 2002 Firebird
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Teching In
Joined: Sep 2017
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BCM problem with 2002 Firebird I did the soldering fix on the BCM in my 2002 Firebird. Worked great on the windows and radio. However, I neglected to disconnect the battery when reinstalling it, and shorted something on the circuit board. All functions worked except the car would not start. It would not turn over or anything, just a click. Does anyone know what I may have messed up on the circuit board and if it is fixable? Thanks.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Why do you think something shorted in the BCM? Merely plugging it back into car without disconnecting the battery won't cause a short. It is possible that solder ended up someplace on the circuit board that it shouldn't and caused a short but that would have happened whenever power was applied - either while plugging it in or later when the battery was reconnected.
So, assuming that the BCM is in fact the source of the problem, it's probably VATS related. If you're lucky it's just that the BCM isn't providing the necessary ground to the starter relay. That's easy to test and resolve. Find the starter relay in Junction Box #2 under the hood, go underneath and find the yellow/black wire (the relay coil ground that goes to the BCM) and splice in a wire to a good chassis ground. If the car starts and runs then you've fixed the problem. If it cranks but doesn't start then you could get your PCM programmed to ignore the lack of a fuel enable signal from the BCM (part of the VATS start prevention) or you can replace the BCM with a remanufactured one.
So, assuming that the BCM is in fact the source of the problem, it's probably VATS related. If you're lucky it's just that the BCM isn't providing the necessary ground to the starter relay. That's easy to test and resolve. Find the starter relay in Junction Box #2 under the hood, go underneath and find the yellow/black wire (the relay coil ground that goes to the BCM) and splice in a wire to a good chassis ground. If the car starts and runs then you've fixed the problem. If it cranks but doesn't start then you could get your PCM programmed to ignore the lack of a fuel enable signal from the BCM (part of the VATS start prevention) or you can replace the BCM with a remanufactured one.
