BCM Programming... who and **?

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energizedtech

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This is probably a "noob" question but I'll ask

I have a 2006 Suburban 2500. Happy with this truck. I am looking into changing some settings to addin the better steering wheel (Phone/Radio/DIC controls) but I know that unless my BCM "Understands these features are on" it will be just a big pretty useless decoration.

My Dashboard does have the DIC but it of course only displays Odometer, Engineer runtime and a single trip meter.

So before I go ripping things apart
a) Can this be done WITHOUT going to GM (*my last trip the dealer wiped out and killed my BCM*)
b) To whom I go to?

Fortunately my Radio is at least aftermarket (The original AM/FM is good but was in Vin Lock because the BCM in the truck had a different VIN)

Failing that.... anybody know how to turn the Horn Chirp back on? The replacement BCM from ebay programmed to the VIN works great but that feature is off and since I don't have Custom DIC to turn the settings on/off.... no chirp :)
 

Joseph Garcia

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Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please. If we can't see it, it is not real. :cool:

If you do any significant work on your truck, I highly recommend that you invest in a Tech 2 (~350.00 for the fully functional Chinese knockoff, which most of us have). The Tech 2 is an analyzer/programmer tool which was the GM service shop gold standard for your year truck. With the Tech 2, you can review and analyze trouble codes, collect and plot and analyze real time data of the truck's electronic components, turn on/turn off available features for your electronic control modules, and update and program modules for your truck.

I needed to replace my BCM, so I bought one from RockAuto.com, and I used my Tech 2 to program it to my truck.

There is a thread on this Forum that lists the current and growing list of Tech 2 owners in the various geographic areas, who have agreed to assist other local members of this Forum, who need the services of a Tech 2.
 
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energizedtech

energizedtech

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Pics are in my intro but I don't mind sharing again :)

If you look in the back there is the 3rd seat I got for free (Some grey leather thing) that a mouse might have gotten to. Internally it's clean an un-eaten but the original headrest was "snacked on" somewhat. So that will be my task in October, order in the proper covers to match my Greyish Velour seats

...and that little Orange White mixup is one of my two 2006 Smart cars. No I looked, I don't it will fit in the back of the Suburban ;)

20210917_095806.jpg20210927_142024.jpg20210927_142056.jpg20210927_142111.jpg
 

Rocket Man

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Anybody that has access to a Tech2 can do it. There’s a list of members on the forum who have one, you might be able to do it that way.
 
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energizedtech

energizedtech

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So quick question more specific, if we have a "list" is there a particular group I should ping to find a list of "options" for the BCM? I think I've heard the term PCO or something option codes?

In my case I have 4 BCM's to mess with
1 - Original which was marked as failed due to it not starting the truck ....and after 1 year of unplugging came back to life
2 - Current production unit with the same VIN shipped from eBay with some options (Like the horn chirp) left disabled
3 - One from Kenny U Pull from a 2500 Silverado (Same Vortex engine) but never used
4 - One from another truck, Tahoe or Yukon series almost the same options or more as my Suburban minus the rear gate. That's the one the dealer wiped out. I'd love to find if there is a process to do an "NPR - Nuke Pave Reload" on the memory structure and breathe life back in. Make it the Guineau pig to mess with :)
 

Rocket Man

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Here’s a link to the thread of owners. I’m on there, Mark in zip 97236 Oregon. Post #31 has a spreadsheet link to all of us.


As for options, you must be thinking RPO list. Anyway, to add steering wheel controls there is a procedure as far as programming to the BCM besides adding the controls and changing the clockspring but I’m not sure what it is. There was a thread here recently. Hopefully somebody with more knowledge will chime in, or else do a search.
 

jwth

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I believe that the 2003 to 2006 trucks have to have the instrument cluster eprom altered to add the controls from the steering wheel, that is if the wiring for it is intact.
It would take entering an eprom bin from a vehicle with that equipment setup,,,I could be wrong and usually am,,,there is a youtube on addinf the wheel controls if I remember right and it indicates reflashing the ip eprom. The bcm then updates the ipc with the correct vin.

 
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energizedtech

energizedtech

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Thank you all in advance. This will give me some reading and research before I hit the yard tomorrow to make sure I pull the correct wheel. I know the dashes are different when you cross to the '07 on some models.

Steering Wheel, Clock Spring wiring the same you think ? I can grab a wheel and clock spring for $50 to mess with so I might anyhow. Some fun in a scrapyard with an excuse to pull out a battery powered impact gun ;)
 
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energizedtech

energizedtech

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And yeah, that video I've seen @jwth. I did a quick test and of course my DIC doesn't respond this way since yep.... it needs a flash. I will definitely ping later on the codes once I get the Tech2 next month. My buddy (and former owner of the Suburban) is a certified mechanic no longer in the field and we can take good advantage of the Tech2 between the Suburban and his Vanlife. (He has a Chevy Express 3500 Cube Van converted to a mobile hotel room)

For him, that's why he stopped on the Suburban since the Vanlife became his main driver
 

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