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LS1 Body Control Module Problems - The Fix

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Old 03-15-2008 | 06:16 PM
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Default LS1 Body Control Module Problems - The Fix

Not sure which Forum this should be under so please feel free to move this and delete this sentence.

I've had 3 LS1 cars over the past few years that had intermitent body control module problems. When your radio and power windows intermitently go on and off, it's a body control module problem. This must be somewhat common and most people probably don't know where the problem lies.

Today I took a shot at trying to fix the module itself as buying a new one is around $200. You can buy a used one but then you have to know the VIN of the car it came out of so you can get the VATS code and make a new ignition key for your car that matches the used BCM.

The BCM is located on the passenger side under the dash just behind the glove box. To my surprise, the entire circuit board is just sitting inside a black plastic box that unsnaps. Unsnap the box and remove the entire circuit board. I was able to isolate the problem to the main power circuit/plug-in. After playing the wiggle-parts game, I found that the relay just behind the plug was the problem. There are 5 solder joints holding the relay onto the board. One solder joint looked like it had a super tiny micro-crack in it. I heated that one solder joint and added some additional solder and whaddayaknow !!!! it fixed it ! Your mileage may vary but I would reheat each of the 5 solder joints.

Here is a picture of the circuit board with the 5 solder joints crudely circled. The bottom joint was my problem.

Just thought you guys would like to see this.

Greg Crowe
http://www.camarofirebird.com



Last edited by Racr_X; 10-31-2008 at 04:21 PM.
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Old 03-15-2008 | 09:41 PM
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EXCELLENT! I posted about this problem I had with a car i sold. Good Post!
Old 03-16-2008 | 01:11 PM
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nut how do i take the board out ... i cant unclip the box... sheb some light? ... thanks for finding this for me carlton
Old 03-16-2008 | 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Racr_X
Not sure which Forum this should be under so please feel free to move this and delete this sentence.

I've had 3 LS1 cars over the past few years that had intermitent body control module problems. When your radio and power windows intermitently go on and off, it's a body control module problem. This must be somewhat common and most people probably don't know where the problem lies.

Today I took a shot at trying to fix the module itself as buying a new one is around $200. You can buy a used one but then you have to know the VIN of the car it came out of so you can get the VATS code and make a new ignition key for your car that matches the used BCM.

The BCM is located on the passenger side under the dash just behind the glove box. To my surprise, the entire circuit board is just sitting inside a black plastic box that unsnaps. Unsnap the box and remove the entire circuit board. I was able to isolate the problem to the main power circuit/plug-in. After playing the wiggle-parts game, I found that the relay just behind the plug was the problem. There are 5 solder joints holding the relay onto the board. One solder joint looked like it had a super tiny micro-crack in it. I heated that one solder joint and added some additional solder and whaddayaknow !!!! it fixed it ! Your mileage may vary but I would reheat each of the 5 solder joints.

Here is a picture of the circuit board with the 5 solder joints crudely circled. The bottom joint was my problem.

Just thought you guys would like to see this.

Greg Crowe
http://www.camarofirebird.com


Good information!! This should be stickied somewhere...
Old 03-16-2008 | 04:36 PM
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+1 on that! I had a BCM problem on my '99 SS 3 years ago. I suck with electrical stuff. It's just not something I like to mess with. I got raped by the Chevy dealer for $400 bucks to fix the thing. I also got the witness the porter rev the heck out of my car and ride the clutch like his left foot was welded to the clutch pedal I'm glad I have been able to do everything else on my cars other than wheels/tires, i'm so paranoid about random people driving my stuff.
Old 03-17-2008 | 11:27 AM
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Last edited by Racr_X; 10-31-2008 at 04:21 PM.
Old 03-17-2008 | 11:54 AM
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Is this part of the car's computer??
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Old 03-17-2008 | 06:44 PM
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great fix
Old 03-18-2008 | 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Racr_X
What year is yours? This fix is for 98-02 cars. After you pull the box from under the dash, the box literally just unsnaps and the board is just lying inside.
The car is a 00 Formula that I sold him. In all the 12 f-bodies i owned this is the only that had this problem and it happened after i sold the car
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Old 03-18-2008 | 08:48 PM
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Great info, thanks!
Old 03-18-2008 | 08:52 PM
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I've only known of one LS1 F-body to have this problem, and I've worked on/owned a TON of them.

Not really what I'd call a common issue at all, but this is great info nonetheless!
Old 03-19-2008 | 02:42 AM
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Originally Posted by RPM WS6
I've only known of one LS1 F-body to have this problem, and I've worked on/owned a TON of them.

Not really what I'd call a common issue at all, but this is great info nonetheless!
RacrX has owned/ worked on over a 100 LS1 F-Bodys. This is his experience. I dont think its unique to him. But Ya, its great Info!
Old 03-19-2008 | 06:28 AM
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my 99 fireturd did it and my 98 ls1 ta doses it form time to time imma try this ill keep you guys posted
Old 03-24-2008 | 05:07 PM
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Do these connections have to be taken out before the circuit board can be reached?
Old 03-24-2008 | 06:50 PM
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Ok, you guys have worked on this, how do you get the circuit board out? Do you just yank it out even though the three plugs are still plugged in?
Old 03-24-2008 | 11:55 PM
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Unplug it first, all 3 connectors.Once you have it out you of the car. There are to Tabs you unsnap and you fold back the on top and bottom, you will see its made to fold then you just pull it straight out. Very Simple.
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Old 03-25-2008 | 01:48 AM
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great detective work!
Old 03-25-2008 | 02:52 AM
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great info man! thanks my car has the same prob but doesent happen all the time! thanks
Old 03-25-2008 | 07:40 PM
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Alright thanks a lot! I ended up just leaving all three plugged in and soldered it while it remained inside the little black box though. Unfortunately I pulled out of my garage and lost my radio again...I think its a wiring issue and I enjoyed all that circuit board fun for nothing .
Old 03-30-2008 | 11:14 PM
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Thanks for the write-up, My windows have not worked for a year now, i pulled out the bcm and sure enough there was a hair line crack on the solder, so i re-solder the spot and now my windows and radio work. thanks for the advice


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