I have an 01 MC SS with 3 problems. The a/c (meaning compressor clutch engagement), heated seats and rear window defroster work intermittenly. If one works, they all work, if one doesn't work none of them work. Sometimes you get in the car and everything works normally, then park, turn the car off and then start back up, none of the three will work. Any idea of what would be common to these items? Thanks in advance. Bill

 

If it's like you say it is, they apparently all run off of the same relay. The relay is going bad. Does the check engine light come on? The relay box is underneath the hood kind of towards the passenger side of the engine. Look in your owners manual for "Relays", and see which relay controls all 3. Go to the auto parts place, take the bad relay inside to them, and get a new one just like it. That should fix the problem

-Duane

 

Thanks for replying. I checked the relays under the hood before, swapping them out, same thing. No check engine light comes on.
Someone told me it might be a "body module" but didn't know where it was. I couuldn't find anything in the owners manual.

 

well then if its not a bad relay check the connections of the relay...make sure they are all in good condition

 

The Body Control Module could be the culprit. The BCM is located above the parking brake pedal. When the BCM is operating correctly it has the ability to turn high electrical load accessories off if it senses that the electrical load is greater than what the alternator is capable of supplying. Some of these high load accessories are the rear window defogger,heated seats,HVAC system blower/AC compressor. Its possible that your Monte has a charging system problem,a battery problem or the BCM is entering its "load shedding" mode for no reason due to an internal BCM failure. Based on personal experience the BCM gets my vote on this. Slide the BCM out of its mounting bracket above the parking brake pedal and take a look at the part number label. On the label is a date code. If the code is before GMAN 170 (GMAN 169,GMAN 168,etc)it is highly likely that you have a failing BCM based on your description of what is happening. Before replacing the BCM make sure your charging system is operating correctly. Also make sure your battery is healthy and not constantly in a low state of charge.

 

Thanks for replying.
I had thought it might be the climate control panel and the only way to know for sure is to replace parts.
But what you say makes more sence and a better place to start plus easier to get to.
I have already checked the battery and charging system and feel they are OK.
Thanks again for the tip.

 

Thanks Bowtietech,
You were correct and it was the BCM. The code was GMAN 139. The new one is a GMAN 170 with a Nov. 11 08 manufacturing
date. I know now that I couldn't have fixed the problem myself due to the "setup" procedure my GM mechanic had to do after the
new BCM was installed. Although I didn't save any money on the repair, I did save on further frustration trying to figure it out myself and that is worth something.
Bill

 

Hello everyone, hope you all are doig well. I have an 01 ss, the lovely red color in pretty much excellent condition. I find it funny KBB says it is valued at around $4000- when it looks like a 25000- car.

Anyway, I have only 1 problem that I have yet to get figured out and that is the driver side heated seat. I have no other problems or coinciding issues.

The heated seat control on the center console ( the hi/lo light does work-- the picture of the seat on the control does not work.
The driver seat heat does not work, I have checked all fuses, what do i check out next.. Thanks..