I've been having some strange things happen with my '97 Trans Am...
At first, the power-save feature wasn't always working (I'd shut off the car, but keep the doors closed, and no power / the radio goes off). This comes & goes.
Then recently, while I drive, the radio goes off randomly. During this time when it's out, the power windows don't work. Then everything comes back on.
Sometimes, when I hit the power lock button, the car starts "dinging" as if reminding you to put on your seatbelt.

Is this some sort of loose wire, or is my car possessed?? And how do you begin to fix it? A loose wire could be anywhere, I'm guessing...

Need some advice.
Thanks.

 

It's possessed. A good ouija board is in order.

Actually it's probably your Accessory Power Module going bad. This is the module responsible for leaving the radio and power windows functional after you turn off the car. It won't affect the rest of the car, just these two issues. I've got a '97 Z-28 and am having similar problems. Very annoying on my car because I've got an after market stereo which has an anti-theft "beep" feature to remind you to take the stereo with you when you turn the car off. In my case it just starts beeping because the power keeps shutting off ... usually right after starting the engine. So my unsuspecting passengers usually think it's a fasten seat belt alert...

I've found on mine that if I can get the window down slightly (just "use" the power windows) that the module will reset itself and leave the power on until you turn the car off. YMMV.

Good luck!

 

Where would that module be located? If it's as simple as replacing a fuse, I can handle it. I looked at the fuse box and see radio accessory; also one for radio, and one for accessory only...


thanks for your help.

 

It's called the BCM (Body Control Module). It's under the RH side of the dash attached to the HVAC housing.

 

same problem here driving down the road and all of the sudden no raido no power windows
i thought it night have been a wire being grounded

is the bcm expensive??
and is it hard to change?

 

Now that I know what I'm dealing with, I searched the forums here for more info on the BCM...
From what I've read, it sounds like the BCM won't work with any other key than the first key that was used with it... in other words, it programs itself at the first start with the chip inside your key, so someone else's BCM won't work with your key.
Soooo...if I see people selling BCMs on Ebay, does this mean I have to demand they sell me their car keys also?

If you buy a used BCM (either from ebay or a scrapyard), will it work without the key, or can it be re-programmed?

Anyone know more about this?