Hi,

This is for the '09 SS/TC.

What is the least expensive reader that can read codes from the BCM? I'm guessing this is where airbag system DTCs are recorded... it's not the PPS, that shows fine (the yellow title under the head unit lights up and says the passenger bag is OFF) it's intermittent some other thing lighting up the red-cowboy-with-the-basketball warning light on the dash.

The deal is, the diagnostic check on start-up sometimes fails. If I turn off the key and then turn it back on, most times the check passes. Occasionally, the cowboy with the ball shows up to start the system check but doesn't even blink, so the check has failed right from the get-go. The warning light stays off if the sys check passes, or stays on if the check fails, until I shut the car off. Then, of course, we're back to square one, not knowing if it's going to pass the check next time... fabulously annoying and ***-poor GM execution.

Thanks for any help.

 

the free one to borrow at any parts store

but you can get an ultra gauge or an interceptor gauge and do the same thing

 

Can't read BCM with interceptor/regular scanner. You're thinking of PCM.

AFAIK, Tech2 can only do it.

 

Thank you.
That's what I gathered from a little research, that and the new tool to replace it.

If this system goes any farther south, the utility of this vehicle quickly approaches zero... I'm not paying to have this fixed... and would be the last GM car I ever buy. I'm clearly not part of their target market.

 

A REAL scan tool ($2k+) or the oe scan tool can delete or retrieve the code. Try seeing if a local shop has a tech 2 or a snap-on/otc scanner and maybe they'll help you out.

And if you think gm cars are a pain to do drive-ability/diagnose then you're going to be extremely disappointed buying another manufacturer's car. Don't even get me started on the euro trash

 

Woah- I want to hear it!
I would never go euro- Italian and German is all I know that's out there to even consider, and I wouldn't do either. I was thinking of the Focus ST 250-horse pig, or slink back into a Mazdaspeed- but I'd be so embarrassed showing up anywhere in a Mazda.

Meanwhile, thanks for your advice.