Car Stereo Locked

[ImpalaChic06]

Hey everyone...okay, so this problem has been going on for a while but it's gotten worse lately. It seems like whenever it's over 80 degrees outside my car goes crazy..the traction light comes on, the security, battery, and service engine soon lights flash in the message center...and the radio will read CAL ERR, then it will Lock...what in the world is this? If I undo the battery, SOMETIMES it will solve the issue, but most of the time, it will play for a few minutes then Lock again...Please help me with anything that can be done with this crazy thing...I heard it could be the BCM...how expensive is that gonna be?? Thanks

[crazy Jim]

your battery may have a dead short in one of its cells which can make a car do freaky things. If this is not the case the Body control Module is probably crapping out....

[fruzer31]

There is a warrenty out if your taling about the 2006 impala, the dealer wants to fix my dads but he thinking they just wanna screw him so hes not going to bring it in, but i believe that there is a warrenty service letter on it, i dunno how long it will take to fix but you could always call the dealership.

[57chevyragtop]

Welcome to AF...Over 80 degrees? wow, been like that all summer here in the Miami Valley. It could be the battery has a short and/or a loose connection in the wiring or poor ground at the Batt terminal. BCM is located in the air cleaner housing and might want to check that for dirt or debris. Auto Zone or Pep Boys both on Salem Ave. will check battery for short if you desire, they don't charge for this service generally. When you unhook the battery are the terminal(s) clean? This is a 2001 LS 3.8, right?

[ImpalaChic06]

Originally Posted by 57chevyragtop

Welcome to AF...Over 80 degrees? wow, been like that all summer here in the Miami Valley. It could be the battery has a short and/or a loose connection in the wiring or poor ground at the Batt terminal. BCM is located in the air cleaner housing and might want to check that for dirt or debris. Auto Zone or Pep Boys both on Salem Ave. will check battery for short if you desire, they don't charge for this service generally. When you unhook the battery are the terminal(s) clean? This is a 2001 LS 3.8, right?

Thanks for the reply...but yes its an 01 LS 3.8...and yes over 80 degrees!! So, I have basically been without a radio all summer, except on those rare days that my car actually likes me...But, I have WD-40 and was told by a AAA tow driver to disconnect the battery cables and clean the screws with that and it should be ok..does that make sense to you? I dont know why but for some reason I am a little afraid to do it...but I will go to Pep Boys and see if they can check it..I went to AutoZone about 2 months ago and had them check the battery and the guy said it was fine, but I don't know if this is the same as checking for a short..thanks for the advice.

[57chevyragtop]

A bit of caution here I read that Pep Boys is now charging for checks yesterday in the news so ask first. Only free when other work is ordered ie tires etc. WD 40 well yeah, if you do take the terminals off to clean (small brass bristle brush recomended here) be sure to remove the Negative terminal first then the Positive, clean both cable end and battery then use very little WD 40 attach the Positive and then the Negative cable last. I prefer to use a drop or two of tranny oil but that is a bit old school I guess. Doesn't look like the heat is going to let up here.

[HeMi101]

Originally Posted by 57chevyragtop

BCM is located in the air cleaner housing and might want to check that for dirt or debris.

That is the PCM. The Body Control Module is located above the Parking brake Pedal under the dash, and they love to Crap out easily, I wouldn't be surprised if the heat was too much for it. I know first hand how easy they are to Damage...

I know anything is possible but the fact you are getting all the dummy lights and messages on the center (which is controlled by the BCM) and your radio is locking you out (It's not getting the proper info from the BCM, and think's it is stolen basicly) , I'm leaning toward the BCM, but make sure you cover all your bases cuz it IS expsensive to fix ( I'm not looking forward to my repair bill ) and it would suck if that wasn't the problem.

[57chevyragtop]

HeMi101 is correct the powertrain control module (PCM) is the one I mentioned and was wrong about...He is also right about the BCM (body control module) location. Yeah it is expensive to replace and I hope this is not your problem however you did mention in your last post that you had the battery checked at Autozone and yes that would also determine if there was a short in the batt...It's the problem occurring in the hot weather that kinda adds the mystery! Metal expands as it warms so it just might be enough for a contact to cause a short in the module or a disconnect in the circuit board. Had a honda once that had a hairline crack in the circuit board and wouldn't start below 20 deg.

[ImpalaChic06]

Thanks everyone for your advice...I used the WD 40 and it seemed ok for today at least, but then again it was only about 78 degrees out! I am going to have my friend take it to a Chevy dealer..you all know sometimes they try to get over on ladies so he said he'd do it and see what they tell him. If it is the BCM could I just get one from a junk yard or something and replace it, or does it have to be programmed? Thanks a lot!

[57chevyragtop]

I hope you can discover what is causing this without a high cost repair. about wether or not you can swap the BCM from a salvage unit, I don't really know maybe someone else here will respond to that. I don't think anything on these are programmable from what my dealer "Boose Chevrolet" has told me in the past. Don't see anything in the way of aftermarket performance chips or such for these.

[HeMi101]

Originally Posted by 57chevyragtop

I hope you can discover what is causing this without a high cost repair. about wether or not you can swap the BCM from a salvage unit, I don't really know maybe someone else here will respond to that. I don't think anything on these are programmable from what my dealer "Boose Chevrolet" has told me in the past. Don't see anything in the way of aftermarket performance chips or such for these.

They can only be programmed once, you have to buy a rebuilt unit, or a new one. And the Dealer Has to program the Vin into it, and what ever options the car had (like Foglights, Tire pressure montior etc.)

From what other people have said A new BCM could run you $150 - $300 (highest being Chevy dealer selling you a new one) and the programming is between $80 - $140. Thats just from what people have paid in the past, it could be anything where you are, so its just an estimate.