Hello,


I have a 2002 Monte Carlo SS with a recently replaced transmission. I went to get my emissions tested today so I can register my vehicle and the tech said I had three codes that made me fail:

B2618
B2655
B3218

I had no idea they were even there because a check engine light was not illuminated. The tech said a new BCM may solve the issues. Has anyone experienced these codes, and if so, how did you fix them?

 

I did a little googling for you, found what two codes were, but cannot find B3218:
DTC B2618 Pass Compartment Dimming #2 Circuit High
DTC B2655 Pass Compartment Dimming #3 Circuit High

Codes beginning with a B are for the BCM/Body Control Module (this controls doors looks, lights and other non-engine/transmission items). For the tech to suggest replacing the BCM is pretty ballsy in my book, as he did zero diagnostics. You will need to do more googling and see if you can find the GM diagnostic info (or some dealerships will be nice and provide that for you). The code I could not find might not be documented by GM as it is a side effect of the other two.

Now, here is my annoyance. You went for an EMISSIONS test. You had a "Check Engine" light on for Body Control Module codes. You failed an EMISSIONS test for problems that are 100% not related to your EMISSIONS. A Body Control Module code has absolutely NOTHING to do with your emissions and locations conducting emissions checks should NOT be failing you for this. Something I have a large issue with ever since I saw my location do computer scans for emissions checks.

 

Thanks for the response. I saw the same things upon searching but those items seem to be working fine in my vehicle. Not sure why the light is being triggered.

I completely agree with your statement. They have zero impact on the environment or the emissions of my vehicle. I even tried to clear them right before the test but they restarted the vehicle and they came back. I might try my luck with another place but that’s just another annoyance. Was worth a shot to see if anyone had similar issues.

 

I'm 1000% with Maniac on this one, something doesn't seem right. Are you in a state where a government facility runs the test or a state where its sub'd out to actual mechanic shops?

Id take it to a real shop to pull the codes again. Those codes Maniac pulled shouldn't be setting a check engine light.

 

I’m in Georgia, so they let mechanic shops and other drive up places take care of it. The only place within 25 miles of me was a Jiffy Lube, had to go three times before the emissions guy was actually there. After I failed, the tech said I had 4 codes. One was for the oil pressure sensor which has been fixed, and the other three were BCM codes. Now, I have not taken it back since the pressure code was fixed so I am not sure if the BCM codes will make me fail again since they were on the first report.

 

Thats a real load of garbage that you have to drive 25 miles just for some 3rd party inspection (at a Jiffy Lube nonetheless, lol).

If it were me, I'd do some reading on the exact laws/rules you have to comply with here. If its truly emissions they're worried about, b/c codes wouldn't be counted. If their intent is some kind of emissions + safety check, then perhaps any code counts as a fail. Id find the exact rule before wasting time going back as is though.

 

Unfortunately, Georgia’s Clean Air Force website says “If the "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon" light is on, a vehicle will not pass the inspection. This is an indication of an emissions control system problem.” which straight up is not true, but I guess it’s their way of doing a partial inspection on the vehicle as well. Guess I gotta dig thru some wiring diagrams to see where this BCM code is coming from.

 

Sadly, that is how GM designed these cars. BCM codes and U codes (I forget what those are for, but I have gotten them if I had a cluster disconnected and started the car) trip the CEL. I live in an area where we BARELY have emissions checks (in Ohio, 7 counties have emission checking, the rest of the counties have ZERO vehicle inspections). Personally, I think our emissions checks are a huge joke, they only check the computer (not what comes out of the tail pipe). VW proved years ago that is not a best practice lol! THe only good thing, we have a couple 24/7 self-checks (roll up, plug in your VIN, grab their scanning device, and done). Our emissions stations have it posted that if the Check Engine light is on, it is an automatic failure. Which I feel is hugely ridiculous (they do a poor job validating emissions to begin with).

 

Sadly all may seem good but a failure is being detected. Hopefully no one hacked the wiring. I bought a used Grand Am years ago that had a code for the radiator fans. Got some help to figure that one out and low and behold, under the one fuse panel, someone spliced the fan wiring (I think so when one came on, they both came on). Restored the wiring and all was good. I speculate at one point the car had an over heating problem and that was some one's "fix" instead of really fixing the actual problem.

 

Wow, thats a giant pile of garbage then since it has nothing to do with emissions.

Sounds like its time to switch a few codes over to 'not reported' in the tune, lol