2003 Buick Century help needed

[jlcronk]

1. I need to know the exact procedure to program the remote transmitter for a 2003 Century without any special scan tools etc.

2. I need to know the description and location of the Body Control Module (BCM) for a 2003 Century.

3. I need the corect GM procedure for aiming the headlights. I am looking for the setting values of the gauges located on the headlight units.

A little background on the transmitter problerm, this car had a minor front inpact that created air bag(s) deployment. The battery was disconnected for a few days while the bags were replaced. A good portion of the dash was removed to replace the passenger air bag. Since then both remotes have stopped working.

I took the car to the local Buick dealer and after 2 hours of labor they said the remotes could not be reprogrammed because the BCM was not talking to their computer. That did not keep them from charging me just the same.

Since I am tired of paying for nothing I will with your help fix it myself.

Thanks in advance,

Jim

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by jlcronk

1. I need to know the exact procedure to program the remote transmitter for a 2003 Century without any special scan tools etc.

2. I need to know the description and location of the Body Control Module (BCM) for a 2003 Century.

3. I need the corect GM procedure for aiming the headlights. I am looking for the setting values of the gauges located on the headlight units.

A little background on the transmitter problerm, this car had a minor front inpact that created air bag(s) deployment. The battery was disconnected for a few days while the bags were replaced. A good portion of the dash was removed to replace the passenger air bag. Since then both remotes have stopped working.

I took the car to the local Buick dealer and after 2 hours of labor they said the remotes could not be reprogrammed because the BCM was not talking to their computer. That did not keep them from charging me just the same.

Since I am tired of paying for nothing I will with your help fix it myself.

Thanks in advance,

Jim

Thats typical with dealers. As for the BCM, it is located on the driver's side of the dashboard not too far from the emergency brake. Remove the felt covered kick panel. Look to the left and up, you'll see the BCM module which is the larger of 2, the other being the DRL module. The connectors are located on the bottom of the BCM. Even though the BCM replacement is DIY, it may need to be programmed to your specific car and VIN, etc. Good luck!

[Flatrater]

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

Thats typical with dealers. As for the BCM, it is located on the driver's side of the dashboard not too far from the emergency brake. Remove the felt covered kick panel. Look to the left and up, you'll see the BCM module which is the larger of 2, the other being the DRL module. The connectors are located on the bottom of the BCM. Even though the BCM replacement is DIY, it may need to be programmed to your specific car and VIN, etc. Good luck!

Hey bnaylor no need for insults. In dealerships the techs get paid on piecework. We don't get paid by the hour, so when you see a tech standing around they aren't getting paid. In order to have the tech get paid they have to charge someone, either the car owner pays or the dealer pays. Can you honestly ask us to work for free? And are you willing to work for free?

Now if you brought the car to my shop and I saw a loss of comm with the BCM first thing I would do is check for power and ground to the BCM. If I had power and groud next thing is to check the comm line and see if that is shorted or open. If all checks ok I would than replace the BCM.

If you need to know what wires to check send me a PM and I will look it up in the service manaul and let you know.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Flatrater

Hey bnaylor no need for insults. In dealerships the techs get paid on piecework. We don't get paid by the hour, so when you see a tech standing around they aren't getting paid. In order to have the tech get paid they have to charge someone, either the car owner pays or the dealer pays. Can you honestly ask us to work for free? And are you willing to work for free?

Now if you brought the car to my shop and I saw a loss of comm with the BCM first thing I would do is check for power and ground to the BCM. If I had power and groud next thing is to check the comm line and see if that is shorted or open. If all checks ok I would than replace the BCM.

If you need to know what wires to check send me a PM and I will look it up in the service manaul and let you know.

With all due respect Flatrater, we've seen it all too often not just in this forum but others. I'd recommend that you do not take dealer comments too personal. Also I'm not the one looking for help. I gave the guy help. And I don't need pin locations or your help. I have my own GM Helms service manuals covering the Regal and Century and sufficient experience and an electronics education in these matters to dish out the advice.

BTW - I haven't been to a dealership since the bumper to bumper warranty ran out on my '01 Regal GS and manage just fine.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by jlcronk

1. I need to know the exact procedure to program the remote transmitter for a 2003 Century without any special scan tools etc.

2. I need to know the description and location of the Body Control Module (BCM) for a 2003 Century.

3. I need the corect GM procedure for aiming the headlights. I am looking for the setting values of the gauges located on the headlight units.

A little background on the transmitter problerm, this car had a minor front inpact that created air bag(s) deployment. The battery was disconnected for a few days while the bags were replaced. A good portion of the dash was removed to replace the passenger air bag. Since then both remotes have stopped working.

I took the car to the local Buick dealer and after 2 hours of labor they said the remotes could not be reprogrammed because the BCM was not talking to their computer. That did not keep them from charging me just the same.

Since I am tired of paying for nothing I will with your help fix it myself.

Thanks in advance,

Jim

BTW jlcronk, I noticed you mentioned air bag deployment. In addition to the BCM module other electronic devices interface into the BCM module for the remotes. Thats the RCDLR/remote receiver.

I recall that on 2001 - 2002 and up GM "W" body cars that includes the Century, Regal, Grand Prix, etc, the remote receiver was moved to the passenger side dashboard cross beam in the area of the passenger side air bag and module.

Personally, I do not believe the remotes and RCDLR stopped working because of the battery being disconnected for a few days.

Your guess is as good as mine and I won't speculate.

[Flatrater]

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

With all due respect Flatrater, we've seen it all too often not just in this forum but others. I'd recommend that you do not take dealer comments too personal. Also I'm not the one looking for help. I gave the guy help. And I don't need pin locations or your help. I have my own GM Helms service manuals covering the Regal and Century and sufficient experience and an electronics education in these matters to dish out the advice.

BTW - I haven't been to a dealership since the bumper to bumper warranty ran out on my '01 Regal GS and manage just fine.

I'm not taking it personal. I do understand that we have dealerhsip that are lousy and we have dealerships that are good. So try not to lump all dealers together becuase they are not all the same. Dealers have techs that care and try their best to help out car owners. I just dislike the comments about all dealershipe being bad.

[Flatrater]

I'll answer your questions the best I can one at a time.

First of according to the electronic service manual only way to program remotes is at a dealer using the GM scan tool. But I have heard that you can program them using the same procedure as a 1997 century. See the pinned topic at the top of this forum for that info.

[Flatrater]

Second question the BCM is located at the left side of the passenger compartment right next to the parking brake. You should see 4 connectors plugged into it.

Bnaylor was right about the RCDLR. That is want works your keyless entry. But it is located behind the instrument cluster. I would look at the RCDLR first and not the BCM.

[Flatrater]

Last question.

Head light aiming is adjusted using an aiming screen. The levels you see really don't have a function but they look good.


The aiming screen and placement should meet the following criteria:

• The area will consist of a level surface large enough to allow for a vehicle and an additional 7.62 m (25 ft) measured from face of lamps to the front of the aiming screen.

• The screen will be 1.52 m (5 ft) high x 3.66 m (12 ft) wide with a matte white surface well shaded from extraneous light, and properly adjusted to the floor on which the vehicle stands. Provisions may be made for moving the screen so it can be aligned parallel with the vehicle.

• The screen shall be provided with a fixed vertical centerline, two laterally adjustable vertical tapes, and one vertically adjustable horizontal tape.

• If a regular commercial aiming screen is not available, the screen may consist of a vertical wall having a clear uninterrupted area approximately 1.83 m (6 ft) high and 3.66 m (12 ft) wide. The surface should be finished with a washable non-gloss white paint.

After the aiming screen has been set up in its permanent location, it is necessary to paint a reference line on the floor directly under the lens of the lamps to indicate the proper location of the headlamps when they are being aimed:

- Distance between headlamps (1)

- Center line of screen (2)

- Adjustable vertical pointer (3)

- Adjustable horizontal tape (4)

- Diagram of light screen (5)

- 7.62 m (25 ft) (7)

- Car axis (8)

- Horizontal center line of lamps

Prior to aiming the headlamps, the following steps must be taken:

1. <LI type=1>Remove any snow, ice or mud from the vehicle. <LI type=1>The vehicle must have a full tank of gas. <LI type=1>Stop all other work on the vehicle. <LI type=1>If any service has been performed on the vehicle, make sure that all of the components are back in their original place. <LI type=1>The vehicle must be on a level surface.
   
   
   <LI type=1>The vehicle left tires must be aligned with the reference line extending from the screen with the headlamps aligned with the reference line. <LI type=1>Do not load any cargo in the vehicle. <LI type=1>The vehicle must contain one person or 72.56 kg (160 lb) on the driver's seat. <LI type=1>Inflate the tires to the proper pressure. <LI type=1>Simulate the vehicle loads if the intended use of the vehicle is for hauling heavy loads or towing a trailer. <LI type=1>Rock the vehicle in order to stabilize the suspension. <LI type=1>Turn on the headlamps to low beam and observe the left and the top edges of the high intensity zone on the screen. The edges of the high intensity zone should fall within the specifications.

<A name=ss2-815662>Headlamp Aiming Procedure

1. <LI type=1>Open the hood.
   
   
   <LI type=1>Measure from the floor to the center of the headlamp bulb. (Some headlamps have an aim dot marked on the headlamp lens). <LI type=1>At the screen, measure from the floor and place the horizontal tape at the measured distance. <LI type=1>Measure from the reference line on the floor to the left headlamp bulb centerline. <LI type=1>At the screen, measure from the reference line and place the vertical tape at the measured distance. <LI type=1>Measure from the reference line on the floor to the right headlamp bulb centerline. <LI type=1>At the screen, measure from the reference line and place the vertical tape at the measured distance. Important: DO NOT cover the headlamp, this may cause excessive heat build up.
   
   
   
   <LI type=1>Turn on the low beam headlamps and block the light from projecting onto the screen from the passenger side headlamp.
   
   
   <LI type=1>Adjust the horizontal aim screw (1) and vertical aim screw (4) of the headlamps to the specifications required by the state and the local authorities, or as shown in step number 8. <LI type=1>Repeat the aiming procedure for the passenger side headlamp while blocking the light from projecting onto the screen from the driver side headlamp. <LI type=1>Turn the headlamps OFF. <LI type=1>Close the hood.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Flatrater

I'm not taking it personal. I do understand that we have dealerhsip that are lousy and we have dealerships that are good. So try not to lump all dealers together becuase they are not all the same. Dealers have techs that care and try their best to help out car owners. I just dislike the comments about all dealershipe being bad.

You and I had discussions in the past concerning dealerships. There are good ones and bad. And the one you work for may be the exception, however, all it takes is one bad episode at a dealership and its take a long time to regain customer trust and confidence, especially after shelling out big bucks only to find the car has the same problem or you have other problems not related to the repairs in which it was orginally taken in for.

And speaking of dealership parts departments, I went to get a simple nut for a strut last week for my son's Olds Alero. These are the two 13mm nuts and one bolt that hold the upper strut mount to the strut tower. I was quoted $9.50 for each nut?????? As a result went to a salvage yard and got them for free. BTW - I asked the dealership parts guy if he would pay $9.50 for each nut and his reply was no. It things like this that add to the total perception toward dealerships which is typically negative.

[regalfriend]

i have had really bad experience's at the dealer. not only did they not fix the problem w/ my a/c but they blew the whole system when they charged it. I think they are under the gun to produce a certain amount of work which is too much for them. But most dealers do have a nice waiting room and good coffee, near the BILLING Dept.
p.s. i once asked a tech how to change the s/c oil and his reply was "when you change the engine oil it also changes the s/c oil" My car is a 97 Regal GS....Eaton M90 s/c