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Will radio missing cause BCM issues?


Black_Blade
03-06-2016, 10:42 AM
Working on a friends 01 Grand Am, and although the MIL is not on, I have a raft of BCM codes. The car's stereo is removed (original owner had installed an aftermarket and then couldn't find the original) and I was wondering if the fact that the radio is missing is the reason for so many BCM codes? My friend is going to be installing his own aftermarket radio shortly, so I suppose we will see how things shake out once its installed, but just putting this out there in case somebody has been down this road.

Stealthee
03-06-2016, 11:25 AM
GM is strange so it's possible. My uncle used to have an 03 (if I recall correctly) Cavalier and he put in an aftermarket radio and after doing so the car wouldn't start. After a few phone calls he found out that the factory radio was required for the car's systems room function properly. He ended up paying to have the factory radio wired in and placed in the trunk so he could use the aftermarket unit and still drive the car.

Tech II
03-09-2016, 12:44 PM
Chevy tends to use their radios in conjunction with communication, more than Pontiac does.....

My guess is no....with the radio out I don't think there is a problem...

But a Chevy is a different ballgame....

xeroinfinity
04-28-2016, 10:15 PM
Its should not be throwing those codes because the radio is removed.

From those codes theirs other issues, maybe someone tried disabling the DRLs and screwed up the BCM. OR a bad radio install and they toasted the BCM?

But, if this Grand am has a sunroof, its possible the drain hoses could be cracked and leaking down the front pillars on to the BCM causing all sorts of electrical issues. Ive seen this on hundreds of grand ams 99-02!! :banghead:

problem is they painted the drain hoses those years, have not noticed it on the 03-05 as much. But later they shrink and crack leaking into the headliner and causing a mess of electrical issues.
even a shorted tail light can pooch the BCM on these Grand Ams.

....its no wonder they dropped the Pontiac line :rolleyes:

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