2000 L Series Wrench & Security Light On - Help!

[bodabing]

Help! I had my local mechanic look at my 2000 L - Series 2.2 4Cyl w/Manual Trans - because the Service Wrench and Security lights were on intermittently upon normal driving. Also, the Air Conditioning was not working - the compressor would not come on.
Can these two problems be related? The AC stopped working first, then the security light, then the service wrench and security light started coming on.
My mechanic said everything seems to be working, but the program control module?? may need replacing or reprogramming?
Any advise?
Please let me know. I have scheduled an appointment at the Saturn Dealership for next week.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

[ksion15]

sounds like a possible bcm (body control module) problem. the wrench light and security light should have stored some codes. did your mechanic retrieve any? i have seen quite a few bcm's cause no a/c. if this is the problem, the module will have to be replaced.

[bodabing]

Originally Posted by ksion15

sounds like a possible bcm (body control module) problem. the wrench light and security light should have stored some codes. did your mechanic retrieve any? i have seen quite a few bcm's cause no a/c. if this is the problem, the module will have to be replaced.

Thanks for the info, that is what I thought the problem could be.
Any idea how much the Saturn dealer will charge me for replacing this?
Please let me know, so I can be prepared.
Thanks.

[ksion15]

the module is somewhere between $300-$400. we charge an hour @ $75/hr. to replace and program it. make sure you take all of your key fobs with you. they'll need to be programmed too.

[bodabing]

Originally Posted by ksion15

the module is somewhere between $300-$400. we charge an hour @ $75/hr. to replace and program it. make sure you take all of your key fobs with you. they'll need to be programmed too.

My car does not have cruise control, power windows, or power locks, so no key fob.
I have a question - Is it true that the Theft Deterrent password relearn is the only thing that needs to be done once the BCM is replaced?
Just curious.
Please let me know.
Thanks for your help.

[ksion15]

no. stuff like your VIN number and vehicle specific accesories have to be programmed into the bcm. then you relearn passlock.

[bodabing]

Originally Posted by ksion15

no. stuff like your VIN number and vehicle specific accesories have to be programmed into the bcm. then you relearn passlock.

OK - Thanks for the info.
By the way, I took my car in to the Saturn dealer. They told me I need a new Body Control Module - $410.00 for the part, and a new ignition housing? - $285.00. They also said I needed a new compressor for the a/c - $997.00 - the compressor was getting juice, but not coming on - something about the clutch or the clutch coil. My question is this - can the a/c not working be related to the BCM failure? Or can I replace the compressor and get my a/c back?
We decided against replacing the BCM and the ignition housing? - the mechanic reset all the error codes, and I do not have the warning lights anymore.
Please let me know.
Thanks again for your help.

[ksion15]

well, if they said the a/c clutch was getting power, but not engaging, then no. it's not bcm related. you can just replace the clutch, but, there's no promise that the compressor is still good. sometimes we replace the clutch, and they work just fine. but, other times, we replace the clutch, then it engages but the compressor does not work properly. it's a gamble. that's probably why they recommended the compressor w/clutch assembly.

[bodabing]

OK - Thanks for your help. Right now I am pricing the replacement of the ac compressor - so far it is right around $600 - $800.

[ksion15]

yeah. even a new aftermarket compressor with clutch is waaaaay cheaper than the dealer.

[bodabing]

Yes, but what about a re-built compressor? I hear they are not as reliable. Is that true?

[ksion15]

sorry it's been so long. it's been a long week. rebuilt compressors aren't that bad. most of the time they'll last just as long as a new one. you just have some "bad eggs". i'm not sure of too many brands, so you might want to just research a little. of course someone's always going to complain, no matter off the product brand. so , don't be swayed by one bad opinion. they all usually have at least a one year warranty (the longer the better). so, if you want to save money, just search around. and even if you want the dealer to install it, they probably will. we do. i hope i've been some kind of help.

[bodabing]

Originally Posted by ksion15

sorry it's been so long. it's been a long week. rebuilt compressors aren't that bad. most of the time they'll last just as long as a new one. you just have some "bad eggs". i'm not sure of too many brands, so you might want to just research a little. of course someone's always going to complain, no matter off the product brand. so , don't be swayed by one bad opinion. they all usually have at least a one year warranty (the longer the better). so, if you want to save money, just search around. and even if you want the dealer to install it, they probably will. we do. i hope i've been some kind of help.

OK - I do appreciate all of your help.
Thanks!