99 Cutlass-- quit running

[kbcracing]

Hey everyone I need help!
I own a 1999 Cutlass w/ approx. 80k on it, 3.1L "J engine code", power everything, w/o a sunroof.
The car was bought new and my wife and I haven't had any probs. w/ it up to abt. 6 mos ago. when it started stalling while driving or idling.
During this "dead" period which at first lasted no more then 5 secs. at the most, the gear shifter LED on the dash would go completly black and then flicker on and the car could be restarted. If you tried to re-start the car during the black out phase it would just roll over.
Now the car doesn't start because this LED screen doesn't stay on. It comes on when it wants and as soon as the key is brought to the start pos. on the ignition the LED goes out and the car will kill the battery if you keep trying to start it. If you let go of the key the LED comes back on.
It's getting fuel (although pressure hasn't been checked)
It's putting out from the Alt.
It's had all the sched. maint. done on it.
Main fuses tested or replaced.
I have a person that I know and can trust as a mechanic that told me that it is the "Body Control Module" and that the car will need to be reprogrammed (re:PASSLOCK) and that the whole thing would be about $650-$800 to replace the BCM and reprogram. (He's not making money on this and says its common.)
But, with regards to the amount of money that this could cost I wouldn't mind a 2nd look.
Any ideas?
I really can't afford to just drop at the dealers and let them me but I need this car. It's my family car and still owe about $1500 to the bank on it.
Thanks for any idea's or fixes.
Other then pushing it into the lake, I'm at a lost! LOL!