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Your car’s primary control system is governed by the body control module. It may not control the steering or fuel usage of the car, but a lot of smaller processes that the car performs are all handled by this module. Automated systems like door locks, windows and windshield wipers may be controlled by your car’s body control module.
Once this part of the car stops functioning the way that it should, you are going to need to have it replaced in order to get back full control over your car. You will pay around $300 for most cars to replace the body control module. That includes labor and parts. The parts will cost about $150, while labor will be closer to $100 or so, depending on how long it takes to rewire the car.
Body Control Module Repair Cost Comparison
Your Mechanic
Work | Warranty | Price |
Parts & Labour | 12 months | $639-$1945 |
Midas
Work | Warranty | Price |
Parts & Labour | 12 months | $644-$1998 |
Mr. Tire
Work | Warranty | Price |
Parts & Labour | 12 months | $655-$1919 |
NAPA
Work | Warranty | Price |
Parts & Labour | 24 months | $625-$2010 |
Walmart
Work | Warranty | Price |
Parts | Limited | $559-$1719 |
Amazon
Work | Warranty | Price |
Parts | Limited | $515-$1945 |
What Is Body Control Module Repair?
While your car may be having trouble with its body control module, there could be some other problem that is causing the issue that you don’t know about. You won’t really know how much work it will take to get it repaired or how much it will cost until a mechanic looks at it and determines the cause of the problem for you. It could be a relatively quick fix, taking a little over an hour and running under $300, or it could take hours and cost hundreds more.
In some cases, it’s just the module that need not be replaced. This can be relatively simple to take out, if it is behind the glove box, as it is in most cars. For some cars, it will take a lot longer, and in some instances, a lot more parts will need to be replaced.
Benefits of Body Control Module Repair
Once you get this issue sorted, your car is going to work a lot better. It’s still drivable with a messed-up control module, but it’s; probably not a good idea to drive it in that condition. It can make getting in and out of the car difficult and it can distract you while you are driving.
Getting the issue fixed will give you peace of mind and make your rides more comfortable. It also lets you control everything the way it should be and not have to worry about whether something else will mess up on even the shortest of rides.
What Is Done during Body Control Module Repair?
Your mechanic will need to diagnose the car first of all. He will be looking to see exactly what the problem is and if it is more than just the control module at fault. Your car’s computer system can be finicky, and it can seem like a body control module problem but actually be something else. The mechanic will probably take a while to ensure that the module is the real culprit.
Because this is an electric problem, the mechanic will disconnect power to the module before trying to take it out. In most cars, the mechanic will just need to remove the glove box with a screwdriver and get in behind it to access the control module. From there, it’s pretty simple to take out the module and replace it what a new one. Once everything’s back in place, the mechanic can test the car to ensure that everything is working properly.
When to Get Body Control Module Repair
It’s best to get this issue fixed right away, but you need to know the warning signs first. The most apparent ones may be that your locks, lights and windows aren’t working the way they should be. They may come on or off without you doing anything, or they may just not function normally. Anytime you seem to have a system-wide electrical problem, the BCM is likely to blame.
How to Save Money on Body Control Module Repair
Unless you are an experienced technician, it’s not a good idea for you to be changing out the module on your own. A lot of people want to do repair and replacement work on their car on their own, just to save some money, but they can end up costing themselves a lot more if they make a mistake.
The best way to cut your costs is to compare rates from different mechanics around you. See who has the best rates and who you trust to take care of this problem in order to get the best deal without losing out on great service.
Sample Body Control Module Repair Costs
Model | Labor | Parts | Total |
Ford F-Series | $80 – $103 | $711 – $1623 | $791 -$1726 |
Chevrolet Silverado | $80 – $103 | $711 – $1623 | $791 – $1726 |
Ford Focus | $80 – $103 | $711 – $1623 | $791 -$1726 |
Toyota Camry | $62 – $80 | $883 – $1021 | $945 – $1101 |
Toyota Corolla | $53 – $68 | $1021 – $1021 | $1074 – $1089 |
Nissan Altima | $197 – $252 | $813 – $813 | $1010 – $1065 |
Honda CR-V | $44 – $57 | $684 – $684 | $728 – $741 |
Honda Civic | $44 – $57 | $684 – $684 | $728 – $741 |
Honda Accord | $80 – $103 | $568 – $747 | $648 – $850 |
Ford Fusion | $80 – $103 | $711 – $1623 | $791 -$1726 |