2002 Saturn L200 Car has trouble starting

Tiny
KMR
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 SATURN L200
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 96,000 MILES
We have had our Saturn L200 for 5 years now. This winter it began having trouble starting. It would happen every so often. Not consistent. We had a new starter put in. It continued to have the problem. A local mechanic has looked at it several times and cannot find the problem. He even came to my work minutes after it wouldn't start, and then it would start. It's very frustrating. The service light will remain on from time to time also. We read others' similar comments on this topic and wanted to know how much a BCM usually costs? Is this what we should have a mechanic look into next?
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 AT 6:39 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The first thing I would do before you guess a bcm is have the codes read engine and bcm code's if you have a bcm code then you probably don't have a bad bcm. When they go bad they don't tell on themselves with code's. You could have a bad pass lock sensor when it doesn't start does the engine turn over or is it a no crank no start?Also when it doesn't start is the security light on or flashing?When it doesn't start does the gas gauge read empty keyless entry or door lock's stop working?Another word's anything starnge happen at the same time. Those are symptom's of a bad bcm.
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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 AT 9:07 PM
Tiny
KMR
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Haven't really take time to look into what does and doesn't work when the engine won't start. I've noticed the service engine light has stayed on a couple of times. When it's started again, the service light goes out like the rest of the sensor lights. These are things to look at more closely. It has turned over every time in the last month, even when it acts like it isn't going to start. It's like a "cough", I guess you could call it. Thanks for your feedback. Appreciate it.
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Thursday, June 24th, 2010 AT 8:29 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Next time it doesn't start take note as to what doesn't work. Also have the car scanned for code's an let me know what the code number's are.
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Friday, June 25th, 2010 AT 10:55 AM
Tiny
KMR
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Today I started my L200, and the air bag light stuck, in addition to the odometer reseting itself to 000000. What's up with this? Is this what you would say are bad bcm symptoms? I had the codes read, and it passed. This was a few weeks ago. The remote unlock function failed to work just 1/2 hour prior to the odometer, etc, trouble.
20 minutes later. I just got back from our local mechanic. He says it sounds like the odometer issue is from the pcm, not the bcm. He's checking to see if it can be rebooted, like someone's computer he says. He's making a call and will get back to me on Friday. He says the airbag is probably something else. A column issue? Could cost $200-$250 to fix, he says. I want rid of this vehicle, but I'm afraid no one will give me anything for it!
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 AT 2:33 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The mileage changing like that you have a bad bcm that's what store's and display's the mileage to the odometer.
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 AT 2:42 PM
Tiny
KMR
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
How much does a typical bcm for this vehicle cost? We are looking at possibly trading it in soon.
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 AT 2:56 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The body control module is 358.38 plus tax and labor is.7hrs time's 80-100 per hr depending on shop labor rate. Also could be more if they charge you diagnoses time which they shouldn't since it's obvously the body control module.
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Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 AT 12:32 PM
Tiny
KMR
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
So you're saying I could be spending close to or over $1,000 for this? Am I reading right?
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Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 AT 4:53 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Did you think I said 7hrs labor?I said.7hrs which equals 42 mins.
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Friday, July 23rd, 2010 AT 12:28 AM
Tiny
KMR
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Wasn't quite sure. Type-o's can happen. My heart can calm down now. Thank you!
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Friday, July 23rd, 2010 AT 10:02 AM

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