Body Control Module Repair Cost – What Is The Price?

The body control module is a crucial part of your car’s control system. Without this part, your car’s control system would not function or steer the vehicle. Although it might not control the steering or fuel, the body control module contains various processes that affect how the car performs and handles. 

 

The costs to replace and repair your body control module will depend on what kind of car you have, the dealership or mechanic you bring your vehicle to, and the geographical location in which you live. The typical body control module repair cost comes in at a range between $450 and $1,200 on average for the replacement. For a body control module repair cost, you can try to find parts for a low price, and then pay an additional $200 to $300 for the labor costs. 

What is the body control module?

 

The body control module in your car is the “computer” that is the electronic system responsible for monitoring, recording. To keep your vehicle running smoothly, you need to keep this part in good condition.  

 

• Function of the Body Control Module

 

 

The body control module, also known as the BCM, controls the power windows, power mirrors, immobilizer system, air conditioning, central locking, and other electronically-assisted parts. As you can see, the body control module is in charge of all things electrical and power-controlled. The body control module works together with other computers within the car, helping the functions and actions that require electrical power like locking doors and turning on the inside cabin lights.  

 

• Price of Body Control Module Repair Cost

 

 

The body control module repair means that you will visit the mechanic – hopefully sooner rather than later. In some cases, the fix could be relatively quick and painless. However, in some cases, it could be more extensive. It might even take under an hour and cost you less than $250 on average, while for others, it will cost hundreds more.

 

You will usually pay around $300 for most vehicles to replace the body control module, including the added prices for labor and the parts. The parts’ cost usually ranges between $100 and $150, while the labor will be lower, generally coming in at $100 or lower. 

 

In some cases, the module needs replacing, and all of the other parts are working fine. However, other features in other cases have been negatively affected, and the process will be more expensive and time-consuming. 

Symptoms of a Bad Body Control Module

A faulty or damaged body control module that requires repair will show specific signs in your car related to the problems. If you frequently drive your car and know the way your vehicle runs typically, these signs are easy to see. Problems with the body control module can cause your vehicle to behave in unconventional and unwanted habits, which is pretty easy to take notice of with an otherwise healthy and functioning car. 

 

For example, switching on the turn signal while driving could unintentionally cause the vehicle to do another electronic or power-assisted mechanism, like rolling up or down the window. Or, the speedometer could change instead of you pressing the brakes and slowing down the vehicle. These examples are hazardous and show how the body control module can be dangerous to everyone inside and outside the car. 

 

Although it can be a bit tedious and difficult to properly diagnose the body control unit, finding the root issue of the problem can help give you an idea of the body control module repair cost. Even though the symptoms could be varied and inconsistent, if you pay attention to your vehicle’s normal working, the signs should be easy to notice. 

 

• Warning Lights on the Dashboard

 

 

Suppose the body control module is not working correctly and can’t properly connect with other car systems, such as the other modules like the airbag control module or the powertrain control module. In that case, the body control module cannot check that they are operating at the right level. If one, or all of these modules, is not working well, this can enhance the body control module repair cost. 

 

The warning lights on the dashboard are a vital warning sign that you need to pay attention. You might notice flashing warning lights on the dashboard, alerting you to various systems in your car. In this case, it can be somewhat difficult to diagnose the main problem with the body control module since the vehicle needs to pinpoint the issue.

 

With various dashboard warning lights turned on, it can be hard to find the main issue, since warning lights turn on for various reasons. However, the dashboard lights indicate a problem with the body control module and a higher body control module repair cost. 

 

• Central Locking System Failure

 

 

If you notice any issue with the body control module, this fault will cause other problems with various systems’ operations in the vehicle. The first sign of a vast problem might be when you try to unlock the car or open your door to drive it. You will immediately notice that the keyless entry might not work, and the locking might fail, preventing you from getting in and out of the vehicle. 

 

Also, you might not be able to turn off the alarm or the immobilizer. Even if you can turn off the alarm, it will take longer than usual to shut off the sounds, highlighting the higher body control module repair cost. 

 

Before you or a mechanic diagnoses a problem with the body control module, you will need to rule out any issues with your car’s locking systems. Ruling out any issues requires you to get help from a licensed mechanic or auto body worker to determine the leading cause of the higher body control module repair cost. 

 

• Engine Won’t Start

 

 

For the engine to start correctly and smoothly, the key must fit in the ignition and send the signal to the starter motor. This starter motor is in charge of starting the vehicle and running at the right performance level. What you might not know is that the ignition is controlled by the body control unit and the body control module, so if you notice any problems with the ignition and the starter motor, this can cause the vehicle not to start.

 

When you turn the key in the ignition or press the start button, the body control unit ensures the correct key is in the ignition, and the key ID matches the ID in the body control module. If the ignition and the key IDs do not match, this can lead to a higher body control module repair cost. 

Benefits of Body Control Module Repair

 

Once you figure out the signs and symptoms of the body control module issues and the root causes, your car will perform better, drive smoother, and operate safer. It is still possible to drive your vehicle with a damaged body control module, but that is not a safe choice and can lead to more issues in the future that could be even more expensive.

 

Problems with your body control module can make getting in and out of your car difficult and distract you while driving. Getting this fix taken care of by a professional mechanic can put your mind at ease, enhance confidence, and make your rides more comfortable. It also lets you control everything accurately and make sure that nothing electronic or power-driven short circuits while you are driving.

The Repair Process

 

To determine how much you might spend on the body control module repair cost, you need to know the steps and the process of the body control module repair. Before working on the car, the mechanic’s first step is to disconnect the battery for safety reasons.

 

Next, the mechanic will find the body control module in your car. Usually, in most modern cars, the body control module will be positioned behind the car’s glove box or the center console. However, if your mechanic can’t find the body control module, they will have to refer to your specific manufacturer’s guide. 

 

• Remove the Connections to the BCM

 

 

For the mechanic to gain enough access to the module, the glove box or the center console will need to be removed, depending on where the BCMis positioned. The mechanic will unscrew any bolts or connections holding the part in place to remove the body control module. If the mechanic damages any extra parts during this process, the total body control module repair cost may be higher. 

 

• Disconnect the BCM

 

 

After the mechanic has freed the glove box or the console, the body control module will be disconnected. The body control module will then be completely free to perform the body control module repair or replacement by removing the bolts that secure the connection and the connector clip. 

 

• Install a New Module

 

 

After the body control module is removed to determine the severity of the problems, the new one is installed. The steps will be performed in reverse order by the mechanic, and the body control module is reprogrammed to fit your specific vehicle.

 

• Test the New BCM

 

 

After the glove box or the center console has been re-added to the car, the electrical system’s components will be tested by reconnecting the battery and ensuring the parts are working at an optimal level. The total body control module repair will usually take between 60 and 90 minutes, influencing the entire body control module repair cost. 

Sample Body Control Module Repair Costs

 

To give you an idea of how much you might spend to get this body control module repair, we have included some prices for common makes and cars models on the market today. This price list can give you a feel for how much your specific body control module repair cost will be. 

 

• Cheapest – Honda Cars

 

 

One of the more inexpensive options for a body control module repair cost is the Honda Accord. The Honda Accord only costs about $648-$850 in total for the repair cost, coming in at around $80-$100 in terms of labor and $568-$747 for the value of the parts. 

 

The second least expensive choice when looking at total body control module repair costs is the Honda Civic, with labor cost averaging around $44-$57 and the parts coming in at $684, for a total of $728-$741 for the body control module repair cost. 

 

• Expensive – Toyota Cars

 

 

On the higher end of the price spectrum and one of the more expensive options, we have the Toyota Camry, with the labor cost coming in between $60-$80, but the parts costing a whopping $883-$1021. The total price of the body control module repair cost averages between $945-$1101. 

 

The most expensive body control module repair on this list is for the Toyota Corolla. The labor for this car comes in at between $53-$68, while the parts cost $1021, making the total price $1074-$1089 for the body control module repair – a costly procedure to have done. 

 

• Additional Repairs and Replacements

 

 

In addition to the overall estimate for the body control module repair cost or replacement cost, various other repairs are directly related to body control module repairs, since the parts and systems are connected. 

 

Cylinder Head – A cylinder head replacement might also need to be done by your mechanic if you notice a failing cylinder head’s signs and symptoms. The signs and symptoms of a damaged cylinder head are very high oil consumption in your vehicle, overheating, low fuel economy, white smoke, and contamination of your engine oil. This replacement cost for the cylinder head usually runs between $3000 and $3437.

 

Spark Plug – In addition to the cylinder head replacement, a spark plug replacement might also be necessary along with the estimate of the body control module repair cost. Replacing your spark plugs is usually signified by easy-to-see signs. The symptoms of a failing spark plug or damaged spark plugs include the car being hard to start, the engine misfiring, the vehicle getting low fuel economy, a rough engine idle, the engine is very loud, and the check engine light illuminating on your dashboard. This average price of the spark plug replacement is between $192 and $256, adding to the already high body control module repair cost.