Body Control Modules breakdowns double since 2020
Breakdowns related to the Body Control Module (BCM) have doubled to over 36,000 per year, the AA has reported.
The onboard computer is responsible for the electronic vehicle systems, including lights, windows, wipers, alarms, and central locking. A fault in the BCM can affect multiple systems, often with no warning.
BCM faults are increasingly becoming more common, with the issue now entering the top five reasons for callouts.
Rank | Reason |
|---|---|
1 | 12-volt battery |
2 | Tyres |
3 | Engine / Clutch |
4 | Alternator / Starter motor |
5 | Body Control Module |
Faults in the BCM can be caused by driver error, faulty entry key chips, physical damage, a computer glitch, or poor repair work. AA mobile mechanic Joe Morbin called out incorrectly connecting jump leads as a leading cause of BCM failures.
Incorrectly connecting jump lead clamps to the wrong battery terminal will cause the current to flow in the wrong direction, potentially destroying the diodes and protection circuits inside the BCM.
Morbin also said a single BCM fault can affect several systems at once, which can be confusing for drivers trying to describe the problem.
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