How To Fix Intermittent Windows, Radio and Locks

November 10,2009 | By cincybird98

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Here is a guide to fix the common 4th gen problem of the windows, radio and locks from cutting in and out. The problem is bad solder joints on the Body Control Module (BCM).

Tools Needed:

• Soldering Iron
• Solder
• Flat-head Screwdriver
• Phillips Screwdriver
• Time and Patience (Most important!)

Approx. Completion time: ~2 hours. (Could be done in less time, but for purposes of write-up I took my time)

Step 1. Remove the black piece located under the dash on the passenger side. It is held in by two snap in pieces. Just pull them to remove.

Step 2. Remove the passenger side kick panel. It uses 4 philips head screws.

Step 3. Unsnap the large bundle of wires and move them to the side to allow room to get out the BCM.

Step 4. Locate the BCM. It is in a small plastic box held in by a snap in container right infront of the A/C blower fan. It has three plugs that can be removed before or after you get it out of the holder. I found it easier to remove them after.

To get the BCM out of its holder is a little tricky. Its easier to unclip one side and use a screwdriver to hold it back while you unclip the other side and slide it out. It might take some time, but you’ll figure it out.

Here are some pics of the BCM once its removed

Step 5. Here are the solder joints that you will be working with. I did not take any pics of this process because I did it prior to making this write up. Just reheat these and add some solder until you feel they look good.

Step 6. Installation is reverse of removal.

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Tags: bcm, intermittent windows, locks, radio

Comments

1. by 13brian | March 11th, 201010:52 pm

   Well SOAB. I replaced mine a couple of years ago and saved the old one in case someone did write up on the cause. I just threw it away in August when I moved = argh.

   Thanks for write up.

2. by davidmc | April 1st, 20109:46 pm

   Thanks for the write up
   Very very timely

3. by AVOZ28 | June 22nd, 201011:52 am

   MY RADIO, WINDOWS, AND CONV. TOP WERE NOT WORKING. THIS WAS PERFECT. I FOLLOWED THE EASY STEPS AND A MONKEY COULD OF DONE IT. NOW EVERYTHING WORKS GREAT. MAJOR THANKS SAVED ME LOTS OF DIAGNOSTIC FEES ETC. ETC.

4. by originalbigrob | July 15th, 20109:43 pm

   Wow…six months of no radio or windows, and hours of my time trying to diagnose this problem…and now in less than an hour, this fixed them perfectly! THANK YOU!

5. by CamaroNH | August 14th, 201011:05 pm

   Thanks! My radio had just started turning off on its own every now and then. It turns out that I had an almost invisible hairline fracture in the poor solder job on the post closest to the middle of the board. (The bottom of the T shape in your pic).

   Today I did a driverside window motor replacement, the intermitent radio and paint touch up on the hood. Tomorrow will be the rear defroster that hasn’t worked in a couple year: I think I’m chasing a bad ground or a bad relay.

   2001 Camaro – 129,000 miles – 128,000 all mine-
   My teenagers have put on about a 1000. I hope the will put another 50K on it. Still gets 26 mpg at 75+ on the highway.

   Thanks to the internet and especially this site.

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