Radio and windows randomly stop working?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Maine
Radio and windows randomly stop working? Hey I have a 2000 z28 and I recently replaced alternator, starter and battery, I thought the problem was fixed until last night my radio decided to shut off, it comes Bach on, goes off, and randomly turns on and off, when this happens my windows dont go up or down, I checked common ground, it's fine, any suggestions? this Is pretty frustrating, I also intend on getting a 145 truck alternator within he week, should I buy one from a vendor? or a junkyard? Price isn't an obstacle. I'd just love to have my radio work all the time. I put a whole new system in my car, so it's not the deck or wiring to the radio/speakers. So im not sure what to do ):
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield
I had the same problem. Turned out to be some bad solder joints in the BCM behind the glove compartment. There's a good write up somewhere just google it and it should come up. It was an easy fix if you can solder and now my windows and radio work great.
Yup, this is the BCM. I tried to fix mine, didn't work.
it's probably here somewhere, but the one I found and used was here:
http://camaroforums.com/forum/4th-ge...-repair-52062/
I put my own pics on it too since the op didn't cover the pita it was to get out.
Short answer: if you're afraid of breaking it you're not gonna get it out.
I actually even tried to solder over mine and it didn't even work.. I'm just gonna buy a new one from GM.
it's probably here somewhere, but the one I found and used was here:
http://camaroforums.com/forum/4th-ge...-repair-52062/
I put my own pics on it too since the op didn't cover the pita it was to get out.
Short answer: if you're afraid of breaking it you're not gonna get it out.
I actually even tried to solder over mine and it didn't even work.. I'm just gonna buy a new one from GM.
Teching In
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: CT
Is it the same deal with transams too? if so, if my aftermarket radio works fine, but my windows wont go up or down could this be the issue, i just replaced the motor, and checked the voltage at the motor and got nothing, but switches are good and getting power.
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield
Yeah it could be. Mine started with just the window acting up, then the windows and the stereo. I finally pulled the BCM out when all my interior lights came on and would not go out, i had to pull some fuses just to not kill the battery. Mine had some obviously bad solder joints but like Darkfox said, you can solder on it and still might not work.
having a GOOD iron is a must. I soldered onto mine because my pencil iron wasn't heating up the existing solder fast enough and I was worried i was going to overheat the board.
If anyone has a part # on this it'd be useful.. seems like I looked it up before.
Yea the BCM can do all sorts of weird things.
if your windows randomly wont go up or down
if your inerior lights come on (that's a new one for me..)
if your radio shuts off with the ignition instead of staying on
keyless entry problems
all kinds of weird behavior can be traced to a faulty BCM.
This isn't the 1st or last time GM has had trouble with crappy soldering either. The 03-06 trucks have a problem with bad soldering making the 4wd switch assembly burn out.
If anyone has a part # on this it'd be useful.. seems like I looked it up before.
Yea the BCM can do all sorts of weird things.
if your windows randomly wont go up or down
if your inerior lights come on (that's a new one for me..)
if your radio shuts off with the ignition instead of staying on
keyless entry problems
all kinds of weird behavior can be traced to a faulty BCM.
This isn't the 1st or last time GM has had trouble with crappy soldering either. The 03-06 trucks have a problem with bad soldering making the 4wd switch assembly burn out.
Trending Topics
Teching In
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: CT
Now to think of it, i always have to use my key to get into the hatch, the buttom and key fob wont work, very possibly the bcm, how much is a new one? id much rather replace the whole thing if this could bethe cause of mutiple issues for me.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
I believe you need to remove the door panel trim that goes along the bottom of the door, then remove the kick panel underneath your glovebox, its a little hard to get out there are clips holding it in, I just forced the clips apart and yanked it out. I left the wiring plugged in and soldered it on my floorboard while it was still connected.
My solder iron is a cheapo, just held it on the beads until they got glimmery and let them cool
My solder iron is a cheapo, just held it on the beads until they got glimmery and let them cool
don't need to remove the door panel trim, just the bottom of the dash and the glovebox door. Then grab the cradle that the bcm is in and pull on it while forcing the bcm toward the front of the car and down. If you're afraid of breaking something you won't get it out. 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
You must mean an LT1 T/A. All 98-02 f-bodies have the retained accessory power controlled by the BCM - there is no separate module.
