Thread: Keyless Entry Fob & BCM ??

Hello all -- very happy to have found you.

My car is a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 4-door sedan, 3.8 V-6, NA. Purchased used, with SRS trouble light lit up on dash. After the first good rainstorm, the front carpeting was very badly soaked. Tried cleaning sunroof drains, but finally ended up sealing it closed with marine repair silicone.

Now to my present problem. GM dealer confirmed from the VIN that the car is wired for a factory remote. Seller did not have a keyless entry fob, so I bought one online. Followed programming instructions to the letter, but it did not respond with a beep when it was supposed to.

1. Does the fob and its programming interact with/through the BCM?

2. Is what is under the passenger seat the BCM or is it some module that "reports" to the BCM?

3. Is the SRS dash trouble light controlled/activated by the BCM?

4. If I repair/clean/replace the under-seat module, will that alone clear the trouble light?

5. Can I send the BCM off for a $50 reset and solve this issue?

6. Would the existing SRS fault cause the BCM to reject the remote programming?

Although I'd really like to have a remote, I don't see the percentage in spending any more than $50 to get a $20 fob to work.

Thanks.

The option code you are looking for on the deck lid is UA6. If you have that code in the list on the sticker the vehicle is equipped with keyless entry. The keyless entry system has 2 major components the BCM and the RCDLR (Remote Control Door Lock Receiver). The RCDLR is under the instrument panel trim panel by the windshield on the right side. The BCM is under the drivers side of the dash to the left of the brake pedal. Here is how GM says to program the remotes. Make sure you follow the instructions exactly. I just programed remotes on my 01 GT. To enter the programming mode after you remove the fuse you must turn the key from off to accessory off then back to accessory within 1 second. The SDM or airbag module is what is under the passenger seat, it has nothing to do with the keyless entry it should not effect being able to program remotes at all.

IMPORTANT: All transmitters which are to be recognized by the remote control door lock transmitter (RCDLR) must be programmed in a single programming sequence. If the system is placed in program mode it will erase all previously programmed transmitters upon the receipt of the programming signal from the first transmitter. Up to four transmitters can be programmed. Do not operate or program the transmitters in the vicinity of other vehicles that are in the keyless entry program mode. This prevents the programming of the transmitters to the incorrect vehicle.

1. Remove the ignition key from the ignition lock cylinder.
2. Close all of the doors.
3. Remove the MALL PGM fuse from the fuse block.
4. Insert the ignition key into the ignition lock cylinder.
5. Turn the ignition to ACC. The body control module (BCM) will perform the following in order to identify the type of BCM installed in the vehicle:

• • Flash the seat belt indicator 1, 2, or 3 times.
  • Chime 1, 2, or 3 times.

1. Turn the ignition to OFF, and then back to ACC within 1 second . The BCM may begin to chime and flash diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). If the BCM has stored any DTCs, refer to Diagnostic System Check - Body Control System in Body Control System.
2. Open and then close any vehicle door. The BCM will chime in order to confirm that the programming mode has been entered.
3. Press and hold the transmitter LOCK and UNLOCK buttons simultaneously for approximately 14 seconds .

IMPORTANT: After approximately 7 seconds the BCM will chime once to confirm that synchronization has been completed. After approximately 14 seconds the BCM will chime a second time to confirm that the programming has been completed.

1. Repeat the previous step in order to program each additional transmitter.
2. Remove the ignition key from the ignition lock cylinder.
3. Install the MALL PGM fuse into the fuse block.
4. Operate the functions of each transmitter in order to verify correct system operation.

Are you sure the sunroof was the cause of the water leak? I have had the seal come loose around the fresh air duct for the A/C cause water to leak on the passenger floorboard.

Thanks so much for responding. I really appreciate your help.

Originally Posted by tech3627

The option code you are looking for on the deck lid is UA6.

I have UA6 on the deck lid tag. GM dealer also verified from VIN that car is wired for RKE.

Originally Posted by tech3627

The SDM or airbag module is what is under the passenger seat, it has nothing to do with the keyless entry it should not effect being able to program remotes at all.

I wondered if the trouble code set by the SRS is somehow "reported" to the BCM, preventing it from entering programming mode.

Originally Posted by tech3627

1. Turn the ignition to ACC. The body control module (BCM) will perform the following in order to identify the type of BCM installed in the vehicle:

• 
  
  • Flash the seat belt indicator 1, 2, or 3 times.
  • Chime 1, 2, or 3 times.

I get 3 flashes and 3 chimes.

Originally Posted by tech3627

1. Turn the ignition to OFF, and then back to ACC within 1 second . The BCM may begin to chime and flash diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). If the BCM has stored any DTCs, refer to Diagnostic System Check - Body Control System in Body Control System.

I get no flashes and no chimes, but the procedure does say "may".

Originally Posted by tech3627

2. Open and then close any vehicle door. The BCM will chime in order to confirm that the programming mode has been entered.

No chime.

Originally Posted by tech3627

3. Press and hold the transmitter LOCK and UNLOCK buttons simultaneously for approximately 14 seconds .
IMPORTANT: After approximately 7 seconds the BCM will chime once to confirm that synchronization has been completed. After approximately 14 seconds the BCM will chime a second time to confirm that the programming has been completed.

No chimes.

These are the same instructions that the GM dealer printed out for me, and I followed them exactly five times on two different days, to no avail. Changed to fresh battery for the second try. Still no joy.

I think there's something going on that's going to cost me a lot more than the $20 I paid for the remote.

Originally Posted by tech3627

Are you sure the sunroof was the cause of the water leak? I have had the seal come loose around the fresh air duct for the A/C cause water to leak on the passenger floorboard.

It was dripping through the overhead dome lights, soaking the carpets, the seats, and the headliner. Cleaned the sunroof drain tubes -- no leaks after two car washes. Lasted for about two more weeks. After a good rain, everything soaked again. Glass shop wanted $365 to repair. Priced replacement gasket -- $135. The car's eleven years old. Finally sealed sunroof closed with marine-grade silicone. Cost = $ 7.95. No more leaks.

I don't think an airbag issue will have anything to do with the BCM entering programming mode. Don't wait for the seatbelt light to flash and chime to chime before you turn the key off and back to accessory. The whole process from key in ignition to cycling the key must be completed in about 1 second. If you wait for the light to flash and chime then cycle the key it will not enter programming mode.

Originally Posted by tech3627

I don't think an airbag issue will have anything to do with the BCM entering programming mode. Don't wait for the seatbelt light to flash and chime to chime before you turn the key off and back to accessory. The whole process from key in ignition to cycling the key must be completed in about 1 second. If you wait for the light to flash and chime then cycle the key it will not enter programming mode.

Thanks for that. I was waiting for the flashes and chimes to finish before cycling the key. I'll try it the way you say tomorrow.

Hoping for the best, but I'm prepared to still be disappointed. Went to the same GM dealer where I got the fob programming instructions. He printed out this regarding the airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) under the seat:

Important

The AIR BAG indicator may remain ON after the SDM has been replaced. If so, perform the following procedure in order to update the BCM with the new SDM part number. After programming the SDM part number into the BCM, cycle the ignition switch OFF and ON. This turns OFF the AIR BAG indicator and clears the DTC. Other subsystems that interact with the BCM must have all DTCs cleared before programming the BCM.

Procedure

Install a scan tool.
Select the Special Functions option from the SIR Menu and press enter.
Select the Setup SDM Part Number in BCM option and press enter.
Follow the procedure on the scan tool display.
Cycle the ignition switch OFF and ON.

I just had a gut feeling that there was some kind of "conversation" going on between the SDR and the BCM. Of course the scanner is a Tech-2, not something every parking-lot mechanic has. Maybe I can sell the fob on Craigslist.

It may be the fob itself. I bought a fob on flea bay from a cheapo seller and the damn thing wouldn't program no matter what I did. I must have gone through the programming sequence 20 times. In my case I had one fob so I knew the in-car hdwe was OK. Wound up spending more $ to get another fob from a more reputable seller and it worked fine.