2003 Impala bcm problem?
kdbout5
12-17-2007, 07:51 AM
have an 03 Impala with 140,000. Recently began having problems with remotes not working. Then began cycling through warning lights on dash - security, check engine and so on. During this cycle the radio would stop working and auto headlights would not work. I am pretty sure its the bcm but am unsure if I can reprogram myself. I have read about alot of issues with the bcm and passlock. Any help would be appreciated.
16th hippy
12-26-2007, 02:52 AM
could be bcm, ign switch, passlock wire going from ign switch to bcm and so on. i realize i am not answering your question, but might wanna check the BCM fuses to start. i think a new bcm needs to be programed, and may need to goto a shop/dealer for that.
Iflylow
12-27-2007, 09:14 PM
A new BCM will need to be programmed, and only a dealer can do it. Also, a junkyard BCM will probably not work in your car, since a BCM is only programmable once, it cannot be changed after that.
The BCM is located about where the drivers left knee would touch the interior, and is pretty easy to change out yourself, don't pay the dealer an hour of labor to change it. Just get a new one, drive to the dealer, and have them program it, then put it in yourself.
The BCM is located about where the drivers left knee would touch the interior, and is pretty easy to change out yourself, don't pay the dealer an hour of labor to change it. Just get a new one, drive to the dealer, and have them program it, then put it in yourself.
kdbout5
01-09-2008, 09:25 AM
Thanks for the info. Now the BCM is not responding at all when I scan it. Engine would not crank after checking fuses with a test light - should have used dvom. Had to pull the bcm fuse and reinstall to get it to crank - i don't know why. Guess I will have to take to a dealer to get the new bcm programed. Never had to pay anyone to work on my cars before... not liking it.
Thanks again,
K
Thanks again,
K
asaadam1974
01-09-2008, 08:55 PM
have an 03 Impala with 140,000. Recently began having problems with remotes not working. Then began cycling through warning lights on dash - security, check engine and so on. During this cycle the radio would stop working and auto headlights would not work. I am pretty sure its the bcm but am unsure if I can reprogram myself. I have read about alot of issues with the bcm and passlock. Any help would be appreciated.
I have a 2000 Chevy Impala that I recently inherited. My sister had told me that at times the car would do the same with her. It started doing it with me and after much research I figured out a way to re-set the passlock system. What happens is that for some reason at some point the passlock system has interpreted something as a breach (someone trying to start the car without a valid key). It sends a code to the BCM that locks down the fuel injectors. To clear this do the following....
(1) Put the key in the ignition and turn to the "ON" position. Leave it that way for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes turn the key and take it out. Repeat this process (2) more times (3 times, 30 minutes total) This should reset the passlock system to recognize your key. I have not had anymore problems with it..
Also please go to the following website and register a complaint. This is for the National Highway Traffic Safety
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov
Thanks.. Adam
I have a 2000 Chevy Impala that I recently inherited. My sister had told me that at times the car would do the same with her. It started doing it with me and after much research I figured out a way to re-set the passlock system. What happens is that for some reason at some point the passlock system has interpreted something as a breach (someone trying to start the car without a valid key). It sends a code to the BCM that locks down the fuel injectors. To clear this do the following....
(1) Put the key in the ignition and turn to the "ON" position. Leave it that way for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes turn the key and take it out. Repeat this process (2) more times (3 times, 30 minutes total) This should reset the passlock system to recognize your key. I have not had anymore problems with it..
Also please go to the following website and register a complaint. This is for the National Highway Traffic Safety
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov
Thanks.. Adam
asaadam1974
01-09-2008, 09:00 PM
Procedure is as follows for this problem
Put the key in the ignition and turn to the "ON" position. Leave that way for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes take the key out and repeat the process (2) more times (3 times, 30 minutes total) After the 3rd time that will have reset the passlock system to recognize your key. Have not had any more problems with mine. Also file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety at https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov
Thanks
Put the key in the ignition and turn to the "ON" position. Leave that way for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes take the key out and repeat the process (2) more times (3 times, 30 minutes total) After the 3rd time that will have reset the passlock system to recognize your key. Have not had any more problems with mine. Also file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety at https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov
Thanks
chevyjan
01-10-2008, 05:10 PM
I have a 2001 Impala with 56,000 miles. I'm havin a BCM problem right now. The radio cuts in and out a lot, and the Securiy lite comes on every now and then. The other day, it wouldnt start. Had to turn the key on for about 10 minutes to reset it. I have a mechanic at a dealer where I work, and he told me that the amp for the radio is in some way connected to the BCM, and the security lite too. These cars seem to have some strange electrical problems.
asaadam1974
01-14-2008, 06:09 PM
I posted recently about putting the key in the "ON" position (3) times for 10 minutes each to re-set the passlock system. This does work (however, for me not permanently). What I ended up having to do was permanently disable the passlock system. To do this I accessed the key switch cylinder from under the steering wheel. My 2000 Impala has a metal plate under the steering column and once that was removed I removed the entire one piece front dash unit and then removed the key switch cylinder that is held in place by two bolts. Once the bolts were loose I pushed the key cylinder back so I could access the wires. From the top side of the cylinder there are (3) wires together (Yellow, Black, and White) Make sure that before you push the Cylinder back that you start the car. Before you disable this the car needs to be running because if not the passlock system will disable the fuel injectors and the car will not start. "While the car is running", locate the yellow wire that is coming from the key switch with the black and white and snip the yellow one in half. Tape both loose ends with electrical tape so that they don't touch metal and short out. From there you are good to go. The car will start no problems, the only thing is the security light will come on and stay illuminated. You can take the bulb out but that is a bit more involved. Good luck and remember Chevy sucks for doing this to people, I would'nt even have this car if I didn't inherit it.
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2025