Intermittent starts, transmission not shifting?

RUDYGIA

MEMBER
2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
3.5L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
143,000 MILES

Sometimes the car will not start I get no power at ignition. Horn, cigarette lighter, and headlights will work. No dash lights no power door locks or windows, This has happened to me a few times and eventually the car will start, maybe days later. When the car does run, I also have trouble with the car shifting into 3rd gear. I was able to pull up a code on that which indicated shifter solenoid in transmission. I do not believe problems are related. Prior to this I had used the car for 3 months with no problems even after it had been sitting for about a year without use.

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,942 POSTS

Yep, this happens when the BCM goes out, but to be sure we could do a CAN scan, you can get a CAN scanner (Controller Area Network) which will work on most cars from Amazon.

Here is a guide to help:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Here is one for about $99.00 if you need it:

https://amzn.to/3ZixY4v

Here is how to change the BCM out and the location in the images below and a guide to help walk you through the repair. You can get a preprogrammed unit by searching Google or Ebay.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-bcm-body-control-module

Check out the images (below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Images (Click to make bigger)