Body control module

[mrfix]

I have a 97 PA on which the door lock delay doesn't work (I posted a question about this a while back). Everything else seems to work ok. When I was at my local Buick dealership getting a body part, I asked the service manager what the problem with the door lock delay might be. He said that it is most likely the BCM. He also said that it costs about $250. I could just deal with it, but I like things to work the way they are supposed to.

My question is whether the BCM for the Buick is the same as the one for the Pontiac Bonneville, Olds 98, etc? If it is, I could get one from the salvage yard for a lot less money and give it a try. Of course, then something else might not work properly. Also, if they are the same, is there a range of model years that will work in a 97?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Loekee75]

I did a little research on the BCMs you asked about. I'm sorry to say that for some odd reason, the Park Avenue G-body (97'-05') uses it's own type of BCM: http://198.208.187.182/internet/Part...artnbr=9385329
as found at rockauto.com. I searched for BCMs from Pontiac and Olds...same years and all w/ 3800s, all the way to 2003...and they all use a different (and much cheaper) BCM:
http://198.208.187.182/internet/Part...rtnbr=10427827
What's odd is even the 97'-on LeSabre uses the same older style BCM the Park Ave used in the old C-body models! You can purchase the BCM for about $163.79 on rockauto..MUCH cheaper than the dealership price. However, if you can find a PA 97' or newer at a boneyard, more power to you!

[mrfix]

Thanks loekee75. I guess I'll try a search at the local boneyard and get one on line if I can't find it. Do you happen to know what other functions are controlled by the BCM?

[TopherS]

When we got my wife's Rendezvous, we were researching them and the 02's and some early 03's were notorious for BCM failures, some resulting in needing multiple replacements. From what I read, the BCM controls practically everything electronically in the newer cars these days.

When I was looking at replacing her standard mirror (w/ maplights) with an auto-dim w/ maplights, the dealer told me that "adding any voltage draw (by adding the auto-dim mirror) to a BCM that was not "pre-programmed" for that draw could adversely affect the BCM and possibly cause drivability problems" . They told me not to put in the new mirror for fear that my car would no longer function properly, even though the wires were already there and were live. (by the way, we put it in anyway and after a year, the car still drives )

Makes me wonder how much something could really affect (and be affected by) the BCM in these cars. Be sure to use caution when selecting one for replacement. Hope this helps.