No power locks, windows, mirrors, interior lights, trunk release, and unknown driver?
 

My girlfriends 2002 POS LeSabre has been plagued with this issue since she purchased it in 2005. Dealer has refused to service the car under warranty (we won't get into that, they wouldn't even inspect it after it was sold! She had to have about $1,000 worth or brake work done to it after she purchased it and I had to replace the coil packs and ICM so it would run without stalling). Since someone hasn't stolen it yet, it looks like I need to fix it. One day the windows decided not to go up (Yes, the windows have been stuck about 1/4 way down for several years with packaging tape filling the gaps - lovely when you live in northern VT). The power locks stopped working, along with the trunk release and power mirrors. The DIC also started displaying "Unknown Driver" and the radio refuses to shut off.

I replaced every single fuse in the panel in the engine bay and under the seat with the fuses that have LEDs that light when they blow. Not a single fuse was bad. Checked all relays and circuit breakers with my multimeter, everything is fine. I only have a standard OBD-II code reader that will not read the "body codes" and she won't bring the car to any dealership to get the codes read because she's afraid of what else they're going to find wrong with the piece of crap. So yeah, she REFUSES to have it serviced.

I purchased a Hayes repair manual to get the wiring diagrams to trace wires and test circuits and most of the problem items run to the RKE module which might explain the "unknown driver" and refusal of the remote not working (although nothing works manually either). If this was an older car, my first thought would be one of the door plungers to sense if the doors are opened or closed, but this car has none.

I've seen this problem multiple times before, but never seen it fixed. She can't sell the piece of crap, we can't get it stolen, and so far the 3800 hasn't caught fire so it looks like I need to fix it.

If you have an Autozone store near you, I believe they will get the codes for you at no charge. They are building one heck of a business doing this for no charge and many folks use it and purchase whatever parts they need right there with the exception of dealer items. Its worth looking into. It is possible all or most of the problems are related to things the Body Control Module handles. One little thing can cause all the problems the vehicle seems to have. Let us know how you make out.

I'd love to, but the nearest Autozone is about a two hour drive... I guess I should have mentioned I live out in the middle of nowhere, ha! :)

With the price of gas these days a two hour trip had better be worth it.
Do you have any kind of junk yards within reasonable driving distance that might have the part you might need?

Not a clue what part is needed.

I would need to check further before recommending that you change any part.
As soon as I can verify your symptoms with the body control module I will suggest what I think will help solve some of the vehicle's problems. Is that OK with you ?

Sure?

OK, Thanks

It looks like all of the symptoms you describe are controlled by the body control module.
Am working on whether or not it needs to be set up by a dealership when purchased new. Also trying to find out if a switch can be made with a used one without reprogramming. Will get back with the answer as soon as I get an answer.

so you think the BCM might be bad? It seems more like the car thinks the doors are open and not being shut. How does the car sense if the doors are open/shut since there's no plunger?

If the door lock assy isn't latched the signal goes thru the BCM to the PCM (powertrain control module) . That module , The PCM, controls all engine and engine related functions.
Try google and you will gain a wealth of info that will answer a lot of questions for you.
Just think you have a 2002 year vehicle with all these features, the 2009, 10 and 2011 are worse yet . They have every control except birth control!
Even a used BCM has to be programmed to your car's VIN. (vehicle ID #)
Once you get this one problem squared away , you probably will be able to enjoy the car much more!

Well none of this is helping me at all

I know of a site www.pcmforless.com and they specialize in PCM flashing,tuning and unlocking not sure if these vehicles are supported by them but I assume they would be able to hook you up with the proper channels to get it repaired the way you want cheaper than your local STEALership, however I have to agree with that many symptoms you probably have a bad BCM/PCM

Solution???????
 

I am having the same exact problem, seriously every bit of this describes my car :-( did you ever get it fixed????? HEEEEEEEEEEEEELP. I have used a test light to check for power on all switches (they have power going in), when I use the keyless entry the lights flash (no horn no lock no unlock but it will open the truck, and the panic button only makes the lights flash constantly), Unknown driver is displayed, radio and lights stay on even after the key is removed and the doors are open. it takes 10 minutes for the car to time out and everything to shut off :-(

I have same too did u figure it out my situation is same but I caused it itsays all same unknown driver and no doors work only open trunk with keyless entry but I accidentally power surged somthing on driver door and it sparked and stoped working but car runs good just recently started just shutting down and I in hook battery and it starts ive does all fuses all looks good did anyone find thw fix

Hi ..did I ever figure it out everything I explained just halpen to my 2000 Buick lasbre custom and only difference is I touch a hot wire to one the wires in door windows and it sparked and shut all power to doors now says unknown driver the car drives good ..i cord all fuses everything is good I power surged somthing and blew a fuse or module ..is wat I'm thinking but fuses r fine and relays ..

It seems like the real picture is escaping your vision, guys!


These cars have sophiscated electronics that cannot be tested/checked with just a test lite.
A quality scan tool is required along with the knowledge to use it correctly.
For example, when you choose to close a switch , like raise/lower a window the signal goes from the switch on to a body control module that in turn activates the proper relay(s). These modules can be quite troublesome and require special tools to check out. The vehicle is full of electronic (stuff) and you need to understand how this stuff works before you can "fix" anything. Buicks are great cars and have a lot of good features, but the days of fixing by tinkering are long gone. The right thing to do is to confirm the BCM is defective (Body Control Module) then it's replacement needs to be flashed/programmed to your particular vehicle. Requires Vehicle ID # to do properly.
There is no quick way to get around doing the correct thing anymore !

Hi
 

Know of a similiar problem once and come to find out it was due to one of the harness connections not fully seated and snap locked. Nobody could locate until...... By accident.

Aside from being not very likely, I'd spend a Saturday morning checking wiring and connections. Nothing at all to lose. The most complicated trouble is the simplest fix in most cases but most look for the worst scenario. One time on radio control fire alarm systems the entire operation would maintain a 60 cycle AC hum (on speaker) and go nil with the interference. Was intermittent and problem: Not the system but one of the 35K reclosers (high voltage circuit breaker) on a power bump would not reset completely and this arching (sp.?) signal was present on all the associated high voltage transmission lines. Only took a year to find and this was over 100 systems affected. Perfect for antennas to intercept on a operating freq. of 140MHZ (140 million cycles per second) lmao.

Ecm is what it sounds like.

The answer to all these problems is definitely the body control module, BCM.. It controls every aspect that is giving all the symptoms and complaints. It is a little black box somewhere under the dash. Usually under the steering column on the driver side that has three plugs sometime for plugs that are different colors that are very inexpensive and easy to change and it will solve so many problems that it will be definitely worth the price to fix it. The only issue about changing the BCM is that you have to reprogram your keys to fit that BCM. . But that is not a problem. As long as you can follow the relearn procedure that you may find on other places on the internet that gives you step by step instructions on how you can do it yourself. The BCM's go for around $40 used. Just remember to get the one that matches your car.

DIFFENITLY bcm.

Hi Ya Frampton, glad to see you back. Haven't heard from Rich lately. Hope everything s OK .

Thanks, been busy for awhile. Just did the upper and lower intake job a week ago, put it off long enough I guess. 😆 Hope all is well!
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.bui...a82b10246c.jpg
New water pump and metal elbows while I was there too.

The radio will lock the data stream up quite frequently. Pull the AUDIO fuse under the rear seat. See if you get operation back.