BCM Swap Question...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 0
From: Ellicott City MD
St. Jude Donor '05
BCM Swap Question...
Hey,
I took my car to the dealer for a problem I'm having with the security light staying on. They said they narrowed it down to either the BCM or the Gauge Cluster.
For the BCM...are they year specific? I have a 2000...will any other years work?
Also...if I find a used 2000BCM can I just swap them out or do I need to do anything else?
I took my car to the dealer for a problem I'm having with the security light staying on. They said they narrowed it down to either the BCM or the Gauge Cluster.
For the BCM...are they year specific? I have a 2000...will any other years work?
Also...if I find a used 2000BCM can I just swap them out or do I need to do anything else?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,897
Likes: 1,837
From: Hot Springs AR
No, you can't just swap them out. There's a security code (VIN?) that the BCM passes to the PCM; without the right code the PCM won't allow the car to move. Also the BCM has to be programmed with certain RPO codes to allow it to interface with the car correctly.
Probably not what you wanted to hear, but that's the experience a friend of mine had.
Have a good one,
Mike
Probably not what you wanted to hear, but that's the experience a friend of mine had.
Have a good one,
Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Unfortunately a BCM swap does require re-programming.
There are at least 3 items that a "new" BCM probably will not match to your "old" BCM ....
1) Your ignition key has a pellet in it that has a set resistence. Your current BCM looks for that resistance level and uses that to determine if the key you inserted is valid.
2) If the resistance is correct the BCM sends a "password" to the PCM that tells the PCM it is OK for the car to be driven. This "password" is changed every time the BCM and PCM communicate. Replacing the BCM requires that the BCM and PCM password are re-synchronized.
3) The BCM needs to know what options are installed in your car. For example, if you have the RTD (Real Time Damping) suspension installed, the new BCM needs to know this option is installed on the car.
All of these issues are fixable if you have a Tech2 device.
Hope this helps,
Steve
There are at least 3 items that a "new" BCM probably will not match to your "old" BCM ....
1) Your ignition key has a pellet in it that has a set resistence. Your current BCM looks for that resistance level and uses that to determine if the key you inserted is valid.
2) If the resistance is correct the BCM sends a "password" to the PCM that tells the PCM it is OK for the car to be driven. This "password" is changed every time the BCM and PCM communicate. Replacing the BCM requires that the BCM and PCM password are re-synchronized.
3) The BCM needs to know what options are installed in your car. For example, if you have the RTD (Real Time Damping) suspension installed, the new BCM needs to know this option is installed on the car.
All of these issues are fixable if you have a Tech2 device.
Hope this helps,
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by BlackZ06
Unfortunately a BCM swap does require re-programming.
There are at least 3 items that a "new" BCM probably will not match to your "old" BCM ....
1) Your ignition key has a pellet in it that has a set resistence. Your current BCM looks for that resistance level and uses that to determine if the key you inserted is valid.
2) If the resistance is correct the BCM sends a "password" to the PCM that tells the PCM it is OK for the car to be driven. This "password" is changed every time the BCM and PCM communicate. Replacing the BCM requires that the BCM and PCM password are re-synchronized.
3) The BCM needs to know what options are installed in your car. For example, if you have the RTD (Real Time Damping) suspension installed, the new BCM needs to know this option is installed on the car.
All of these issues are fixable if you have a Tech2 device.
Hope this helps,
Steve
There are at least 3 items that a "new" BCM probably will not match to your "old" BCM ....
1) Your ignition key has a pellet in it that has a set resistence. Your current BCM looks for that resistance level and uses that to determine if the key you inserted is valid.
2) If the resistance is correct the BCM sends a "password" to the PCM that tells the PCM it is OK for the car to be driven. This "password" is changed every time the BCM and PCM communicate. Replacing the BCM requires that the BCM and PCM password are re-synchronized.
3) The BCM needs to know what options are installed in your car. For example, if you have the RTD (Real Time Damping) suspension installed, the new BCM needs to know this option is installed on the car.
All of these issues are fixable if you have a Tech2 device.
Hope this helps,
Steve
Good info. 
A dealer can also re-program the BCM as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 925
Likes: 4
From: EXTON PA
BCM questions
Originally Posted by USMUSCL
Hey,
I took my car to the dealer for a problem I'm having with the security light staying on. They said they narrowed it down to either the BCM or the Gauge Cluster.
For the BCM...are they year specific? I have a 2000...will any other years work?
Also...if I find a used 2000BCM can I just swap them out or do I need to do anything else?
I took my car to the dealer for a problem I'm having with the security light staying on. They said they narrowed it down to either the BCM or the Gauge Cluster.
For the BCM...are they year specific? I have a 2000...will any other years work?
Also...if I find a used 2000BCM can I just swap them out or do I need to do anything else?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
I also have the security light turning on during driving out of the blue. I just had my steering column lock recall done so I don't know if that cause it some how. I get code B2732
Last edited by 6pac; Jan 21, 2007 at 10:30 PM.
