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Simple BCM Question

Old Mar 16, 2020 | 04:18 PM
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Greetings ,
I have a 2000 Camaro SS with some BCM issues preventing my passenger side window from moving , Interior lights from activating and power locks from functioning.
Rather than repair my BCM ( cause I suck at soldering and cant find anyone to do it for me) I would like to install a used one that does work.

From my understanding the BCM controls VATS and is matched to the ohm frequency in the pellet on my key.

Question : If I do the VATS bypass under the wheel to mimic ohm frequency , can I use any BCM from another 2000 camaro without issue ?
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Old Mar 17, 2020 | 03:46 PM
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Old Mar 17, 2020 | 05:28 PM
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The BCM is not related to individual power windows - it controls the retained accessory power (RAP) circuit which provides power to the radio and windows after the ignition is turned off. So if that was the problem, neither window would work and neither would the radio. With one window still working, it is not a BCM problem.

Courtesy lights (but not dash illumination) and power door locks are related to the BCM but I would highly recommend doing some testing and diagnostics first before assuming that it's a BCM problem. Replacing with a used BCM is not a simple procedure unless you get the original key that came with the used BCM. If you don't, you're going to have to get all the resistors to create each of the 14 possible different resistance values (not frequencies) that could have been used with that BCM. Many of those values can't be found in a single resistor so they will need to be created by combining two resistors in series or parallel. Then you have to try each combination until you find the one that turns off the SECURITY light so your car will start.

Have you checked the COURTESY fuse? That powers both the courtesy lights and the BCM so it could be the source of your problem. Test it or replace it - never use just a visual inspection of a fuse (especially a 20 year old one) because they can look fine but still be blown.
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Old Mar 18, 2020 | 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
The BCM is not related to individual power windows - it controls the retained accessory power (RAP) circuit which provides power to the radio and windows after the ignition is turned off. So if that was the problem, neither window would work and neither would the radio. With one window still working, it is not a BCM problem.

Courtesy lights (but not dash illumination) and power door locks are related to the BCM but I would highly recommend doing some testing and diagnostics first before assuming that it's a BCM problem. Replacing with a used BCM is not a simple procedure unless you get the original key that came with the used BCM. If you don't, you're going to have to get all the resistors to create each of the 14 possible different resistance values (not frequencies) that could have been used with that BCM. Many of those values can't be found in a single resistor so they will need to be created by combining two resistors in series or parallel. Then you have to try each combination until you find the one that turns off the SECURITY light so your car will start.

Have you checked the COURTESY fuse? That powers both the courtesy lights and the BCM so it could be the source of your problem. Test it or replace it - never use just a visual inspection of a fuse (especially a 20 year old one) because they can look fine but still be blown.
A easier way is to use a multi meter and a variable resistor pot. Just connect the pot and meter to the wires coming from the bcm and dial in the first resistor value and see if the car starts, if not go onto the next value until the car starts.
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Old Mar 18, 2020 | 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Alexander Castela
Greetings ,
I have a 2000 Camaro SS with some BCM issues preventing my passenger side window from moving , Interior lights from activating and power locks from functioning.
Rather than repair my BCM ( cause I suck at soldering and cant find anyone to do it for me) I would like to install a used one that does work.

From my understanding the BCM controls VATS and is matched to the ohm frequency in the pellet on my key.

Question : If I do the VATS bypass under the wheel to mimic ohm frequency , can I use any BCM from another 2000 camaro without issue ?
I can help you, PM me.
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Old Mar 19, 2020 | 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by JOHNNY59
A easier way is to use a multi meter and a variable resistor pot. Just connect the pot and meter to the wires coming from the bcm and dial in the first resistor value and see if the car starts, if not go onto the next value until the car starts.
Yes, but someone who is unfamiliar with soldering probably doesn't have easy access to a potentiometer with the correct range. There are several ways to determine the required VATS resistance value as discussed in this thread: https://ls1tech.com/forums/stereo-el...-used-bcm.html. The easiest for a non-technical user is the Gator VATS bypass module. It has all the resistor combinations in a self-contained module with DIP switches to select each of the possible values making it very simple to bypass VATS without knowing the required resistance in advance. And it plugs into the factory wiring without any cutting, splicing, or soldering.

Even still, since we don't know whether it is a BCM problem, replacing it and figuring out VATS is not yet a concern. Doing so without further diagnostics is just foolishly throwing parts at a problem with no real plan.


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