Fixing the Body Control module in a 98 Camaro

98 Camaro BCM (Body Control Module) repair

[@michaelx9145]

Its now 2023 and your video is still helping people. Thank you so much for this informational video! I did the whole process in about 30 to 45 min. I put everything back together and fired up my 98 Camaro SS and the radii worked while the windows went up and down. I deem tgis is a success!!! Thank you again very much for the saving of time and money and the stresses of dealing with this issue. 👍

[@TomsChevelle]

Soooo happy to help! Someone else shoed me this so I thought I would pay it forward to help the next guy. So something nice for a fellow Camaro guy someday. The BCM replacement was $700 at the time, the fix is free! Rock on Camaro Bro.

[@rakohus]

I did this repair in 2017 and it is still working fine. Thank you for posting this

[@TomsChevelle]

That's awesome!! Glad it helped you.

[@dragoncoffee2949]

Thank you for the appreciation, your good people. Have a happy 2021.

[@joshuamontoya3359]

Awsome video 👍😉!!! I have a 1998 Chevy Camaro V6 3.8l. And my windows stopped working and as soon as I would click them to roll down, the radio would shut off. I took out the BCM and re-solder the 5 joints and everything works beautifully now. Thanks a lot bud you saved me money.

[@TomsChevelle]

Hay Joshua thats great! Glad I could help! Yea, a few minutes of soldering save $600 - $ 700 dollars getting a new BCM from the dealership. Keep on DIY'in brother.

[@mattgreeriscool]

Boom...I'm going to fix my 2000 firebird now. Thanks for the video!

[@dragoncoffee2949]

Its easy if you soldered before, fix it yourself and save!

[@oldtomfoertsch7685]

Thanks a million for the great video. I fixed my '02 Trans Am itermittent radio/pwr window issue with the "5-solder" technique and it worked like magic. My solders won't win any awards but they must have made the right connections because all is in order now. Thanks for diagnosing this weird problem and demonstrating the fix. Your video is a big time money saver and frustration reliever.

[@TomsChevelle]

Hay dude, glad my video helped, I know the frustration of this problem and figured if I could help someone keep their Camaro or Firebird on the road and happy I would do it. Keep that Trans Am on the road!

[@Integrawr]

i too have an issue with my 02 TA, at first I thought it was a battery issue, but then I noticed (while driving) the dash and guages would stop and start working. I checked the battery connections (again) and everything seemed legit. now it sits in the garage because it isnt getting power at all. I'm trying this tonight/tomorrow and I will let you know how it goes!

[@TomsChevelle]

I don't know if this will fix your dash issue or not, I would first check for corrosion on or around the dash fuses or connections. It could also be bad dash ground wires or maybe moisture in the circuit. Has the car sat for a long time lately?

[@Integrawr]

I followed your instructions and successfully removed, re-soldered, and reinstalled the BCM. Looks like it isnt getting power at all so I have a few other things to try. Thanks anyway!

[@TomsChevelle]

Sorry, it did not work for you, modern cars are complicated. You may have to take it to a Chevy dealership, they have the tools to diagnose the problem. It might be something simple, but you could chase the problem yourself and spend a ton of time and money, or have the pros look at it. My Camaro had a weird issue on a trip to Wisconsin where it just started shaking and misfiring for no reason. I took it to the local dealer and it turned out to be a corroded fuel injector fuse controlling cylinders 5 and 7. Good luck man.

[@coywilhelmy1626]

Thanks for the info. Pain in the butt to get the thing loose, but once it was out it was an easy job thanks to your video.

[@TomsChevelle]

Glad It helped you out! Thanks for letting me know!

[@abcfisher1]

This is why I love youtube. I fixed my brother's 97 camaro ss following your video. I had replaced the both window motors and one window switch and still no power. I was very disappointed. Then I found this. Now both work great! Thanks!!!!

[@TomsChevelle]

That's awesome! Glad my video could help, I thought the dealership price of $700 to fix this was nuts.

[@blkgsxr04able]

Thanks for making this video. Only took about 30 min to do this and everything is fixed.

[@TomsChevelle]

Glad I could help! Pay it forward. Thanks for letting me know I did some good.

[@rigoco3218]

Camaro 98, 3.8 Hello, could you help me? Do you know that current is escaping from the battery and when you remove the BCM fuse the current decreases, what could it be? When I bought the car it didn't come with the radio and the cables were loose

[@TomsChevelle]

That is a very broad question, any short in the wiring can cause voltage leak, I have no way of trouble shooting your cars wiring, but someone good with electrical systems should be able to narrow it down for you. I am just showing you in this video how to fix broke solder joints on the BCM. If unplugging the fuse that goes to the BCM stops the leak, I would look at anything that is controlled by the BCM is a possibility... Like the Radio connections! Maybe check the radio wiring and see if it grounds out anywhere. Good luck!

[@Reckless_In_Texas]

To those guys who ran the board a little hot while soldering, and burned up the green protective side and the copper track, you can just run a small wire from joint to joint, which I did 8 years ago and it still runs flawlessly....Hope this helps.

[@TomsChevelle]

Thanks Steven.

[@gen4camaro745]

my 97 camaro was doing same thing, solders looked good but soldered 5 places pointed out anyway and it worked, ty for vid

[@TomsChevelle]

Your welcome! Some connections look good but they are 20+ years old and shrink with time. I quick resolder reset them so they connect. Glad to help!

[@rezzer7918]

Good job 👍

[@javadragon2463]

Thank you!

[@makosharkcnc7730]

Thank you !! my son has a 97 firebird formula i resolder the same spot worked great!!!

[@TomsChevelle]

Glad I could hep you! The dealer wanted $700 for a new module, I did this for free. Take care.

[@squallxvi]

Thanks for the video! Helped me to fix my Windows, Mirrors, and Radio from cutting out randomly! No joke, but I'm having a really hard time reinstalling the kick panel back. Can't seem to line up the screws holes back without forcing and warping the panel. Feels like cables might be blocking the panel from being pushed back far enough, but I can't tell if it's because I didn't put the module back in the bracket in case I need to repair it later.

[@TomsChevelle]

You need to put everything back in reverse of how it came out. If the holes are not lining up, DON'T force it, take it all back out and see what the problem is, and then try again. No shortcuts, no leaving any brackets off. Glad the video helped! Best of luck!

[@joshuastaton6501]

Been looking for bcm in my 94 z28 and can only find srs airbag module with 1 plug and the keyless entry on kick panel with 2 smaller plugs. Still yet to locate my BCM. need to find it to fix the problem with my windows and radio

[@TomsChevelle]

The video shows the location.

[@nickwstp]

2024 cheking in. Thanks for this video.

[@TomsChevelle]

You are welcome!

[@265chevy]

thanks for showing us I have a 94 firebird that could come in handy

[@TomsChevelle]

Drop me a line if you have any questions... I will help if I can. The hardest part was getting the unit out from under the dash without breaking it. After that its easy if you have ever soldered before.

[@zdp-189]

+Toms Chevelle The only part I am dreading later today is the removal! Rest seems nice and easy. I been pulling too many cheap plastic tabs and screws on my internal Camaro plastic panels lately doing all these repairs, power windows, radios, you name it. Thanks for this video!

[@zdp-189]

+Erik DeWitt btw is that 396 all aluminum head you have next to Camaro?

[@TomsChevelle]

+Erik DeWitt Hay Erik, how did it go? and yea, the plastic parts are a hassle, but its par for the course for the 3rd and 4th gens.

[@antonybaggetta9977]

So my windows (both sides) will not go all the way back up on my 2002 Trans Am. But if I keep the car running and wait for about a minute, they will go up a little more. Then wait, then a little more... So eventually I can get them to go up, it just takes forever. I haven't noticed any issues with other components, however. Would you still suspect it's an issue with the BCM?

[@TomsChevelle]

No.. your window motors might be bad.. The BDM issue is when radio, and interior lights, and windows all don't work then do work... intermittently. When the window motors get old or they are not getting 12 volts, they run slow or stop. It could also be a bent window track inside the door.

[@ebonpharo]

Whooo hooo I am going to try it! I make jewelry LOL but a solder gun will be something new. I just bought and F body windows are sluggish and I thought that the bulbs were bad in the interior! THANKS!!!

[@TomsChevelle]

Good luck, its not complicated at all but if you never used a soldering iron before you might want to take it to an electronics shop. They will charge you just a few bucks to re-solder the connections shown. Also be careful with the circuit board, they are delicate. Good luck.

[@ebonpharo]

@@TomsChevelle I did it! My windows are still sluggish but I do notice a difference in other components. Now for the security light not turning off...

[@TomsChevelle]

@@ebonpharo See that! You saved yourself a ton of cash and get the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself! Good job! The sluggish windows are a different matter, I heard that they never get the full 12 volts, there are kits to fix that if you have the time. Glad I could help.

[@TomsChevelle]

@@ebonpharo Your windows are slugish because they are not getting 12 volt.. its a problem with Camaros. There are kits that can fix this problem if your not afraid to do some electrical work.

[@ebonpharo]

@@TomsChevelle I have just sort of ignored it for now. I love my car!!! Even with it's imperfections! My daughter got me a cold air intake for it are they easy to install?

[@bobbydabutcha]

The radio accessory fuse has no power to it and no functions work on my Delco CD player (the one with the cool equalizer!), the other radio fuse does work. Is this a BCM related issue? Power windows work, but they do not work after I turn the key off. I read the windows are supposed to work after 10 minutes of shutting the key off?

[@TomsChevelle]

I don't think the fuse not having power is a BCM issue, the BCM controls the operation of the vehicles body accessories, not power flow to the fuses. Might have to have it diagnosed at the dealership or trace that circuit back yourself with a multimeter.

[@qaissabbas1237]

Hi,thanks for the video.I have a BCM for caprice 2006 model ,the security light is warning and the car not starting and also door look is not working.could you help me in analyzing the issue?

[@TomsChevelle]

Just from what you described, it sounds like your car alarm is the problem. If your alarm is activated, it will disable the starter and door locks to prevent the car from being stolen. Check the alarm system and see if it can be reset, or it may have a fault that needs to be fixed by an alarm technician.

[@apachebeast164]

tks , i'll use this on my 2000 firebird

[@TomsChevelle]

Your welcome. Easy fix, just make sure you re solder the correct points. I remelted the points, then added a little new solder for good measure.

[@robertfarber3583]

Hi,I have a 2000 Honda Odyssey mini van,I put a junkyard stero in not knowing I shouldn't.I got code from Honda dealer.But now,I have No speedometer light,No Tail lights,No license plate light.We checked fuses,can you please tell me How to fix,I have power in back no lights,Can I rig up just tail lights and lights on separate Toggle switch?

[@TomsChevelle]

Sorry Robert, I don't know anything about 2000 Honda's or Junkyard stereo's.

[@danno1058]

I have a 2002 Camaro SS. The passenger window doesn’t roll down but the driver side does. The radio cuts in and out sometimes but not very often. Also, the the power locks don’t work.. not even a click. Could the BCM be the issue?

[@TomsChevelle]

Don't know.. for the drivers side window, check the switch. Power locks... check the fuse or the switch... my switches have all been replaced.

[@briansaathoff4038]

Black box under the drivers side dash. More towards your right leg. Mine work slowly except drivers. Dnt work at all. Then radio dnt work either. Bluetooth does but that's all

[@redneckrebelzracing2891]

i have a 2001 camaro z28 with security light on but no visible problems. The BCM gives code's 25 and 35 which has to do with the security led indicator on the top of the dash not working, however the led work just fine. The fuel gauge comes and goes, although not sure if it relate to bcm or not. Also one of the vats wires has no signal and it has not been bypassed that i can see. The car cranks and starts although the crank time is a bit longer than normal, and the security light remains on steady. Any chance you would know of a repair to address this? Thank you in advance.

[@TomsChevelle]

You might have a ground wire issue or a loose positive wire somewhere... You need to get a pro to track the problem down. Sorry.

[@devinpitts275]

Could this cause issues with my head lights, turn signals and hazards? For some reason randomly when you turn the key on the lights come up with the light switch off. Then if I turn the switch on and then back off they close and then come back up again. If I turn the key off they close and stay closed. If I turn my hazards on they open and close fast like at the same speed as the hazards would if they were blinking. Also if I turn my turn signal to one side then to the other the head lights start going up and down like hazards. Weirdest shit I have ever seen. Also when I try to turn my blinkers on it deems my interior lights and cluster lights. P.S it also doesn't have the front blinker bulbs in at the moment because I replaced the housings and forgot to get bulbs. Going to pick those up tomorrow as well.

[@TomsChevelle]

Not sure.. bad grounds... also you have to have all the bulbs in or nothing works right. If I get a burned out bulb, then my blinkers dont work on that side.

[@caperr2]

So we did this and it worked to fix my issue with the radio and windows not working. BUT, not the car won’t start! Any ideas what this could mean? Please help

[@TomsChevelle]

The BCM has nothing to do with the car not starting. BCM is the Body Control Module, The ECU controls the engine functions, but you have to first determine what's not working. Did you plug in the ODB2 port and check the trouble codes?

[@caperr2]

@@TomsChevelle I actually figured it out. It was the starter relay. Thanks

[@TomsChevelle]

@@caperr2 Glad you figured it out!

[@claytontraise5903]

wish me luck, lo beams not turning on even with override commands and rf dome light forced on at all times, while everything else on the inadvertant power works just fine, here we go boys

[@TomsChevelle]

Not sure this has much to do with your headlights.. The headlight switch might be bad.

[@i-tempadj9893]

My car not starting csn this be the problem i need help?

[@TomsChevelle]

No, this does not affect your car not starting, its the body control module. It controls interior and body functions.

[@cindyrella24673]

Nice job! Would it be the same joints for a Chevy Silverado, or do I just look for ones that look blown?

[@TomsChevelle]

I don't know anything about Silverado's... The connection is not blown, the solder just degrades and looses connectivity, cant really tell much by looking at it. Glad you like my video! Thank you for watching.

[@gtcugo2]

My 2000 firebird the bcm started clicking out of the blue and now no start and gauges go crazy I took the bcm apart everything looks good what else should I try?

[@TomsChevelle]

Hmmm I am no wiring expert, but sounds like maybe a bad ground, these cars have multiple grounding spots on the chassis. If the ground connections are loose and sometimes making connections sometimes not, that could be the problem. There are grounds for all of the control modules as well as the engine, dash, sensors, etc. If I were you I would still do the BCM fix I show on the video and test, if the problem continues then start looking at the rest of the electrical system. Did water ever get inside the car? I heard about cars that were in floods acting like your describing.

[@Alex-pj8eu]

I have the same problem, I soldered mine and it worked great with no issues at all.... for about 11 months.. now its doing it again.. I resoldered one of the joints that looked cracked and it didn't fix it, its still intermittent.. I am ok at soldering too, I'm just wondering how long term of a fix this really is cause like I said I thought I fixed mine and it came back, so.. I"m not sure.. I bought a junkyard BCM for cheap that works but it won't let my car start because that BCM has a different resistance value for the key, so in summary, I don't know why a person couldn't swap a BCM off another Fbody and just have another key made with the right resistance in the chip to match the swapped BCM, anyone follow up on this??

[@TomsChevelle]

Well, the resistor key is something I never thought of, wonder if there is a work around. Interesting.

[@Alex-pj8eu]

well i re-soldered mine again and its working fine now(so far for a good while) so everything is working like normal for me now.. but yeah there is a way around the resistor chip on the key, i found out you can bypass the vats by buying resistors and plugging them into a plug under the dash, you can test the chip on the key with a volt meter set to ohms and it should tell you the resistance, there are 15 different resistance values it can be.. also there might be a way to have a key remade with the correct chip you would need to know what resistance the swapped BCM needs.. but i havent checked into that, but you'd have to check the key from the swapped car to see what resistance it takes or if you could find out from the VIN or BCM numbers what chip the key takes if you have a VIN the dealer is supposed to know what chip the key takes but don't know if they can tell you over the phone or not, so technically that could work too.. i havent checked into that either as I never deal with or buy anything from the dealer, but i do know by researching it that you can have a key remade by just giving your vin..i dont know if a key place can make the key for your car and put a different chip in it or not if a person wanted to get a used BCM from another car, thats what i was wanting to know because if mine goes out again, preferrably i'd just like to swap a used BCM and change the chip in the key to work with the swapped BCM..

[@TomsChevelle]

I think the dealer can swap the resistor in the key to a new one if they sell you the bcm, but here in Chicago, that's $700 and not worth it. The soldering method should work unless the bcm is junk. If the car was flooded, that might be the case, or there was a short that fried the circuit board, well I hope your resolder job works. Take care.

[@Alex-pj8eu]

I hear you, yeah the new bcms are way too expensive from the dealer, the solder should work, its weird how only those one or two joints crack while the rest are fine, so far so good

[@rayspringfield34]

when u the use BCM they should have gave you a code or some so you can program that code in to make your car work i heard some more guys did the same thing it a code an you program it to your car

[@rayspringfield34]

i have a 2013 camaro an i took the glove box off an the other panel an only thing i see it a blue tooth box an a battery please help me where is it on the model i have? message me back please

[@ravikiran7492]

Hi, Thanks for the video. i've a chevy cruze 2012 model recently my hi-beam is malfunctioning and switch off the low beam as well. even the dipper seems to malfunction. could you help me in analyzing the issue. At GM they said its the BCM issue as they tried another BCM and it worked. apart from the hi-beam and dipper issues i have no other issues and it works perfectly fine. is there a trick to eliminate this? please help.

[@TomsChevelle]

Hi Ravi, to fix the issue in the video I searched online for people having the same issue with the same make and model as mine. Here is what I found for the Chevy Cruze: On the US Cruze, there's also a fuse block just under the headlight switch. Check fuses F3, 8. 9. and 24. The low beam is powered directly from the BCM - no relays. Each headlight has it's own connection to the BCM. If you have a scanner, check for codes. Not all codes cause the "check engine" light to come on. The codes may have a clue as to what's wrong. I would check for burnt out bulbs first (and easiest check) then plug a problem code scanner into the OBD2 port usually located under the dash on the drivers side and look for codes. If there are no codes and no bulbs are bad and replacing the BCM fixes the problem, then that might be what you have to do. The issue I made the video about is a known problem with the soldered connections on the Chevy Camaro BCM, I don't have information on the Chevy Cruze since I do not own one. Thanks for the watching!

[@saodalwadi2170]

Ok I have problem with speedometer and oddo meter not working in my dash cluster I try to change the speed sensor and speedometer cluster still not work ...😢

[@TomsChevelle]

Well if your sure the speed sensor you put in is working and not defective, I would check the wiring to the sensor and the gear the sensor rides on in the transmission are all OK. It can take some time to diagnose the problem, electrical issues are usually the cause, no ground, broken wire, etc.. Sorry I could not be more help, you may need to take it to the dealership.

[@saodalwadi2170]

Toms Chevelle, all right I’ll check the wiring harnesse

[@jackhammer7745]

Is it possible to fry the board ,if I use an industrial grade soder gun?

[@TomsChevelle]

Its possible to fry the board with a cheapie solder gun, you just have to be careful.. The industrial guns are usually larger so you could potentially touch connectors that you don't want to touch and mess up the board that way. I recommend using a smaller solder gun to be on the safe side, the replacement boards are REALLY expensive if you mess yours up! The solder gun I use was really cheap, less than 25 bucks if I remember correctly, right tool for the job saves you a ton of problems.

[@jackhammer7745]

Toms Chevelle ,thanks for the info

[@GlycerinZ]

you'll want a solder gun with a finer tip

[@TomsChevelle]

Yes you do.

[@saodalwadi2170]

What about the vss box buffer ! Where can I found it ?

[@TomsChevelle]

I have never seen a vss box buffer on a 98 Camaro. I did an internet search and I only find a Vehicle Speed Sensor but nothing that says "Box Buffer".

[@ryansanders2850]

I have a 99 Chevy Camaro I still have my old body control module try to put a new one in there in my car will not turn over Is It Anyway that I could get the car to start up with a new body control module I got to use my old one to get my car started or do I got to go back up to the dealer and get my body control program for my car thank you for your time

[@TomsChevelle]

Hi Ryan... The body control module does not control your engine, it controls interior electronics like your power windows, radio, and other stuff. I do not know how that would interfere with the ability of the car to start. If the cars ECM (Engine control Module) or it might be called ECU (Engine Control Unit) might be the problem.. Or it could be almost anything else. Could be fuel pump, coil packs, wiring issues, blow fuses controlling the injectors... Plug a code reader into the ODB2 port under the dash and see if there is a code that would indicate the trouble. Or take it to a technician that has a code reader. Hope that helps.

[@ryansanders2850]

Toms Chevelle you tried removing a body control module from your vehicle and then trying to start it up see how far you would get with that somewhere along the line that body control module is like a brain I know the body control module control the radio in the windows what I don't understand is when I put the new one in it plays my radio on my windows that's why I brought it for what I don't understand is

[@TomsChevelle]

I have no idea of how a radio would play on your windows... Not sure what that means. Sounds like you need to take it to a dealership. Never heard of a radio playing on your windows.

[@dontom6357]

I think my bcm is bad has clicking but does bcm affect the transmission

[@TomsChevelle]

Body control module does not control the transmission. (not that I know of anyway)

[@dontom6357]

Thanks for the reply

[@ryansanders2850]

No

[@IceePrettyWings]

im throwing a no bus code gauges arent working and my convertable top will not roll down. it took spells where everything would go back working after 30 seconds. Then quit agian, while back I changed the computer, it wasnt the pcm causing the issue. could this be my bcm and could it possibly just need those connections resoldered.

[@TomsChevelle]

The BCM is the body control module which controls the power windows, the radio, the power seats etc. The no bus codes sounds like an ecu communications issue, like the vehicle network is down. It could be a bad module, but cars today have several modules that need to talk to each other for the whole system to work. In short, you might have to take it to the dealer to have it diagnosed.

[@IceePrettyWings]

+Toms Chevelle I was going to spend the 80.00 to 100.00 bucks on ebay. beats 348.00 from oriellys, but may spend 100 for the dealer or mechanic shop to reprogram it. one thing thats going to suck is I hate to drive the car cause I dont want the odometer to have a different milage if drove. 176,000 miles as of now.

[@TomsChevelle]

You can take it to O'Riellys and have them check the ECU for trouble codes for free, if the ECU is throwing trouble codes, you can use the codes to figure out whats going on. If there are no trouble codes, I would call the dealer, ask to speak to a service advisor and tell him whats happening, he might be able to tell you the cause since he has most likely seen the problem before. Then you can decide how to get it fixed.

[@IceePrettyWings]

+Toms Chevelle ok. just a question though? I have a uscan that reads codes, even though im not throwing a check engine light and since it's obd2, would I be able to use my code reader on it.

[@TomsChevelle]

Not sure, usually the check engine light comes on when there is a trouble code to read, but not always. I would use your code reader to see if there is a code, if not then you may have to have a pro look at it. When I did this video I Googled the problem and found the answer, cars are so complex now they require technicians to look at it. Your problem sounds like there is a broken connection somewhere.

[@JesusGarcia-wj2dd]

Do u disconect the battery or just go in and remove

[@TomsChevelle]

disconnect the battery whenever working on any electrical component.

[@salvadorochoa9529]

Did you disconnect the battery first

[@TomsChevelle]

I did, you should disconnect the battery whenever you work on anything electrical on your car.

[@21cElectronicsMaster]

Can this Module disable the Ignition??

[@TomsChevelle]

I don't think so but I do not know all the functions the BCM controls.

[@2TriPPy4Lyfe]

@@TomsChevelle can the bcm have your car stalling because mine cranks but turn off after 10 sec

[@TomsChevelle]

@@2TriPPy4Lyfe No, it controls all the interior accessories in the car, radio, power windows, alarm etc.. What do you mean by "turning Off"?

[@bradyrepsher3856]

Just did this to my 98 camaro and now my Radio won’t shut off when the door is opened and no I didn’t solder them together

[@TomsChevelle]

Maybe some solder got stuck between two connection points? Don't know. Also, make sure your door switch is working ok

[@truthseeker908]

Worst that could happen is your car might not start again (bcm sends a pulse to the ecm to let engine start)

[@dragoncoffee2949]

Hopefully, not if you do this right, but I guess anything is possible. But if it saves you the $700+ dollars from buying a new one.... If you mess it up then you just bite the bullet and .... buy the new one or find a used one.

[@anthonypulzone2663]

Any tricks on getting the B.C. out of the housing? I feel like I'm going to break it trying to pull it out.

[@TomsChevelle]

Not really... It pops out.. Be careful and don't gorilla it out and you should be fine.

[@anthonypulzone2663]

I was able to pop it out the back side past the clips an pull it down. Your video was a great help thank you.

[@TomsChevelle]

Glad I could help. Feels great to fix it yourself and not spend a ton of cash right?