Escalade BCM Keyless Entry Programming and Beyond

[AK49BWL]

A while back, I picked up a body control module out of a 2000 Escalade (OBS)... Been playing with it somewhat here and there, but just really got into things lately as I'm preparing to actually install it into my truck. So I decided to make a post detailing what all can be done.. And maybe more....

You must be registered for see images attach

So first and foremost, what does this BCM do? Well, it:
-- Replaces the Dome Lights Control Module
-- Replaces the Keyless Entry Control Module (AND what more, even uses the same FCCID remotes as the 97-99 trucks!)
-- When using the Keyless Entry, the truck will actually flash lights and honk to let you know it received the commands **
-- Replaces the Convenience Center Warning Chimes Module (more modern ding ding ding rather than SCREEEEEE)
-- Adds Retained Accessory Power for the stereo, wipers, windows using an onboard relay
-- Dome lights fade out rather than just turning off
-- After 15 minutes of inactivity, the Courtesy Circuit shuts down (Inadvertent Power Cutoff)
-- Adds Content Theft Deterrent: It's pretty basic unless you have the shock sensors to go with it, but will flash the parklights and honk at you if you open a door without disarming the system first, until you turn the key to Run.


Now, the module I picked up is from an Escalade. Turns out, the Pontiac Firebird and Chevy Camaro from 1998-2002 used the same style of BCM, but theirs have a few extras -- namely, they operate the PassKey system, have a dome override and rear hatch release input, and have one more set programming option which I'll get to in a minute... Heh. Notably, the Escalade does NOT use the BCM for its PassLock system.


So I'll start it off slow..

How to program Keyless Entry Remotes.

From what I've been able to figure, they all seem to use remotes with an FCCID of AB01502T. The two-button remote for my 97 works perfectly with it, and the other two buttons are usable as well for the Panic and Rear Hatch release functions.

Grab up to four remotes to program... In an Escalade, you would need to pull out the Radio Ignition fuse, then cycle the key from Off to Run 3 times. The locks cycle and the rear hatch actuates to let you know you're now in Keyless Entry Remote programming mode. Hold the remote's Lock and Unlock buttons simultaneously, the locks will cycle again to confirm that remote is programmed. Repeat the latter with up to 3 more remotes (4 total, it won't take any more). Turn the key off, reinstall the radio ignition fuse, and enjoy keyless entry.

Now it gets interesting. Turns out, several of the features on this unit are actually customizable. I discovered a few of them on my own before I went searching for more... Didn't find anything concerning the Escalade, but was able to find a wealth of info on the Firebird, and all but two options also work on the Escalade! So here goes.

Customizing the Lighting, Warnings, and Content Theft Deterrent System

To enter BCM Programming mode, remove the Radio Ignition fuse, then turn the key back to Accessory. The BCM will chime twice and the seatbelt indicator light will flash twice to indicate programming mode. BCM will remain in programming mode until the key is turned off or the Radio Ignition fuse is replaced. Six things can be changed here:
-- Exit Lighting and Delayed Dome Lights
-- Key-In Door Lock Disabling
-- Notifications using Horn and Parklights upon RKE usage ***
-- Notifications using Horn and Parklights upon CTD System Arming ***
-- Content-Theft-Deterrent System Arming Methods
-- Door-open Alarm Delay and Shock Sensor Toggle

*** = Requires a keyless entry remote.

From the factory, the dome lights are programmed to come on and stay on for a period when you open a door or remove the key from the ignition. Using the BCM Program Mode and cycling the Dome Override switch, you can change this! To do so, simply toggle the dome lights on then back off. The BCM will chime to indicate the current mode. Continue toggling the switch until the desired setting is chimed.
--- 1 Chime: Key-Removal Dome Lights Disabled, Door Open-Close Dome Light Not Retained
--- 2 Chimes: Key-Removal Dome Lights Disabled, Door Open-Close Dome Light Retained (25 seconds for Doors, 5 seconds for Hatch)
--- 3 Chimes: Key-Removal Dome Lights Retained 25 seconds, Door Open-Close Dome Light Not Retained
--- 4 Chimes: Key-Removal Dome Lights Retained 25s, Door Open-Close Dome Light Retained (25 seconds for Doors, 5 seconds for Hatch) ***FACTORY SETTING***
Note: This programming method will not work on Factory Escalades without modification to the BCM 32-pin connector C3 (need to add a wire to Pin C7, ground this wire to activate the dome lights - factory wiring has the dome lights grounded via the dome override switch directly instead of that switch running to the BCM).

From the factory, the BCM will not allow you to lock the doors (using the electric switches of course) until the key is removed from the ignition. This is true for the door switch AND the keyless entry button! To toggle this on or off, use the Lock switch on the door.
--- 1 Chime: Lock-out Prevention Disabled
--- 2 Chimes: Lock-out Prevention Enabled ***FACTORY SETTING***
The Pontiac Firebird has TWO MORE MODES in this sequence that are NOT present on the Escalade!
--- 3 Chimes: Last Door Closed automatic door locking - Doors won't lock until all doors are closed
--- 4 Chimes: Combo of 2 and 3 ***FIREBIRD FACTORY SETTING***

Using the keyless entry remote's Unlock button, you can toggle how the system responds when you use the keyless entry system.
--- 1 Chime: No notification of RKE activity
--- 2 Chimes: Horn chirps and parklights flash when RKE locks, parklights flash when RKE unlocks
--- 3 Chimes: Horn chirps and parklights flash when RKE locks AND unlocks
--- 4 Chimes: Parklights flash when RKE locks and unlocks
--- 5 Chimes: Parklights flash when RKE locks once, horn chirps and parklights flash on second RKE lock, parklights flash when RKE unlocks ***FACTORY SETTING***

Using the keyless entry remote's Lock button, you can toggle how the system lets you know the alarm is armed.
--- 1 Chime: No notification of system arming
--- 2 Chimes: Horn chirps twice and parklights flash when system arms using ANY method
--- 3 Chimes: Horn chirps twice and parklights flash when system arms using RKE lock, only parklights flash if system arms using other methods ***FACTORY SETTING*
--- 4 Chimes: Parklights flash when system arms

Using the Unlock switch on the door, you can change how the alarm is activated.
--- 1 Chime: Security Disabled
--- 2 Chimes: Forced Entry Security Enabled, Lock Switch System Arming Disabled, RKE Lock System Arming Enabled
--- 3 Chimes: Forced Entry Security Enabled, Lock Switch System Arming Enabled, RKE Lock System Arming Enabled ***FACTORY SETTING***
--- 4 Chimes: Forced Entry Security Enabled, Lock Switch System Arming Enabled, RKE Lock System Arming Enabled, Exit Auto-Arm Enabled
Notes about the Exit Auto-Arm::
----- Remove key, open and close any door: System arms itself after 5 seconds
----- While armed, RKE unlock will disarm the system. If a door is opened and closed after RKE disarm, system auto-rearms after 30 seconds (but won't rearm if no door is opened)
----- DOES NOT LOCK DOORS WHEN ARMING!
----- System will alarm if door opened and no RKE unlock or key turned to Run within 8 seconds of the door opening. This is programmable as well (see next)

Using the parklights switch, you can toggle the Vehicle Shock Sensor on or off, and set the door-open-to-alarm delay.
--- 1 Chime: Anti-Theft Shock Sensor Disabled, alarm instantly activates on door open
--- 2 Chimes: Anti-Theft Shock Sensor Disabled, alarm activates after 8 seconds on door open
--- 3 Chimes: Anti-Theft Shock Sensor Enabled, alarm instantly activates on door open
--- 4 Chimes: Anti-Theft Shock Sensor Enabled, alarm activates after 8 seconds on door open ***FACTORY SETTING***

Annnd that's pretty much it for programming. Next post I'm gonna get techy.

 

[AK49BWL]

As most know, GM electronics have issues with cold-solder joints and failing electronics.... This BCM is no stranger to this phenomena. A common failure is of the Retained Accessory Power relay solder connections falling apart. This will take out your radio, power windows, and front and rear wipers. Not cool going down the road lol. The good news is, it's also SUPER easy to fix if you have even the slightest ability to solder. 9 times out of 10, you do NOT need to replace the entire BCM. At worst, you might have to replace the RAP relay itself on the BCM mainboard. This is the taller relay next to the white one in this pic.

You must be registered for see images attach

Underneath (I've already redone ALL my relays AND the large connector pins)

You must be registered for see images attach

The RAP relay is the 5 pins in a "T" looking arrangement. When I got this BCM, the bottom pin of the T was completely mangled. I was amazed it still worked. Even more amazing is it still working despite it looks like it blew off the filter capacitors from the Run/Acc input pin and the RAP output pin. You can also see some slight discoloration of the circuit trace under the black resistor... That's the dome light PWM current drain resistor they had pulled right against the circuit trace below it. Idiots.

You must be registered for see images attach

Ahead of that resistor is a transistor surrounded by a nice little heat sink.. That's the Dome Light PWM return voltage regulator. It allows the dome lights to fade out rather than JUST turn straight off. That there is the main reason I liked this BCM over the others I considered. Well, that and it uses the same RKE remotes I already have lol.

The other relays on the board are for the various lock functions - Top left is the Lock relay, bottom left is the passenger doors unlock relay, the bottom right is the driver door unlock relay, and the white relay is for the Courtesy Circuit - this is the one that cuts out after 15 minutes of truck inactivity. Let's say you left a map light on... The glove box light switch broke....etc. This relay shuts it all down until the next time the BCM receives a command. This relay is active at all times when the truck is in use. Interestingly and slightly annoyingly, the RAP relay activates as soon as you turn the key to Run, and NEVER deactivates again until the next time you open a door with the key off, or 10 minutes elapse with the key off. This despite the fact that there's a large-gauge wire coming directly from the ignition Run/Acc switch to the relay to run it... Eh, whatever. For the rear hatch release, an external relay is required as the BCM does not have one for that internally.

As mentioned in the previous post, the dome light override switch is NOT wired to the BCM in the Escalade, but adding a wire to the proper pin (Connector 3 Pin C7) works just fine. This wire must be grounded to activate the dome lights. It works just like the current switch, so unless you're wanting to change the programming, there's really no need to change it.. But there you go.

On the Pontiac Firebird, there is a wire going to the BCM from a "Hatch Release" switch. Similarly to the Dome Override switch, the hatch release switch in the Escalade is not wired to the BCM, but grounded directly... And, the BCM does not recognize the input on the proper pin. I tried it.... It just stared at me and the LED I had wired to the hatch release output wire just stared at me unblinkingly.... Until I hit the button on my RKE remote, then it blinked, but the input pin on the PCM does NOT work.

You must be registered for see images attach

Connector 1 is dedicated to Power I/O, Connector 2 is for everything Locks related, and Connector 3 is everything else.

The BCM has three total available pins for grounding the module, but only two are used - the reason for this being that the third pin (Connector 3 pin C2) is technically supposed to be used for the PassKey return line. But the Escy has no PassKey. lol.

Am I rambling? Maybe. But why not.

 

[rustybuttrusty95]

wonder if it would be possible to wire something like this up in a 95. interesting, nonetheless.

 

[AK49BWL]

Anything is possible. I'm putting one in my 97 after all - there's no communication between this BCM and the engine stuff, so theoretically you could install one in literally anything.

 

[Supercharged111]

What's the wiring going to look like? A repin or cut and solder?

 

[AK49BWL]

I bought all new MetriPack 280 and MicroPack 100 terminals to completely rebuild the connectors with new wiring from end to end. It's one reason I've been collecting spare factory wiring harnesses lately, so I can make it all look as factory as possible, and keep original wire colors to the various pins so it'll all still match (for the most part) the wiring diagrams I've downloaded.

 

[Supercharged111]

I bought all new MetriPack 280 and MicroPack 100 terminals to completely rebuild the connectors with new wiring from end to end. It's one reason I've been collecting spare factory wiring harnesses lately, so I can make it all look as factory as possible, and keep original wire colors to the various pins so it'll all still match (for the most part) the wiring diagrams I've downloaded.

So crimpers and terminals too?

 

[AK49BWL]

So crimpers and terminals too?

Yep. Should be a fun little (HUGE) project when I finally get around to it lol

 

[AK49BWL]

Update!

I picked up a BCM from both a 99 Pontiac Firebird, AND a 99 Chevy Camaro. The two are identical to each other, same part numbers even (09353691) and the pin-out is identical between them and the Escalade BCM. They even share Keyless Entry FCCIDs

After some messing around with the Camaro BCM, I discovered that it won't allow any programming at all unless you have the right resistance key (since these cars utilized PassKey), and the alarm WILL NEVER STOP ALARMING --- I managed to find the right resistance value for the Camaro BCM through some trial and error using a table I found.

You must be registered for see images attach

Mine is Code 11. It took a 4700 ohm resistor, now works with no problems. ... Oh and that 4-minute timer is definitely a thing lol. The Security Light must go out before trying a new resistance value or it'll just freak out and start alarming again. Due note, on these, there are both a security light for the cluster which is the PassKey indication, and a security light for the Forced Entry indication.

The rear hatch release input to the BCM DOES in fact work on these unlike the Escalade BCM, AND the door close delayed auto-lock works too!

Now for something interesting.

30 seconds after turning the key off from either Run or Accy, the rear hatch release input AND door unlock input WILL NO LONGER WORK! However, the door LOCK input still works fine! My guess would have to be this is an additional security feature that keeps someone from simply poking at the unlock button through the window or something. Oddly, the Escalade BCM never disables the unlock input. Guess they weren't cool enough for extra security lol.

You must be registered for see images attach

So yeah, this is the one going in my truck now lol.

 

[Supercharged111]

Where are the BCMs located in the donor vehicles? Would a Z71 Tahoe have the same BCM as an Esky?