Cars and Stuff
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So, this article addresses the entirety of an uphill battle that I have been fighting with one window, that came to a head today as far as information that I needed to properly diagnose the issue at hand.
Some of you may ask yourself, "Are power windows really worth the hassle?" No, but I got a gifted sonic ls and already owned the lt, but the ls looked nicer so here we are with the new lts, not to be mistaken with the ltz.
So, first off, the primary electronic difference between the main body harnesses is the bluetooth control module segment of the harness. The one for the lt is equipped with dual-wifi chips (bluetooth calling and bluetooth music = 2 wifi chips) and Onstar as well. Outside of that, TECHNICALLY, everything else should work and, for the most part does work. The upgrade package between the LS and LT sub-models differs by power mirrors, power windows, the door harnesses, the door covers, the speakers, the rims, and the aforementioned bluetooth module. There's also the radiator (automatic transmission has a xmission cooler built into the side), but it can still be retrofitted to fit the LS if you have a manual transmission (Honda 14M plugs from AutoZone do the trick).
Beyond that matter, let's discuss the BCM, or body control module for those of you who would like to know how the fitment is supposed to work. So, each component of the car that the BCM handles (in this car your window motors, window switches, door lock actuators, RAP accessories, etc.) are all handled by a datalink connection from the BCM. This datalink is responsible for sending and receiving signals from the components listed above (and a few more), and actually control some important features with each. In my case, the BCM wasn't sending signals to the driver's door, but was sending the proper signals to all the other doors, which also means that the door lock actuator isn't receiving the signal that it needs (my radio stays on after I get out, so I have to be careful about leaving powered stuff running), which isn't the end of the world, really, but it does make cause for some precautions, so I decided to research WHY it wasn't working because I like OEM and I like making it right.
Here's what I found with some help from a proficient and super helpful ECM tech after I came to the conclusion that the signal was wrong:
1.) The LS is SUPPOSED to be able to be kitted for the exact same power window assembly as the LT stock, according to part diagrams designed for my VIN.
2.) The BCM is incorrectly configured, also according to that same parts diagram by VIN #.
3.) The ONLY actual fix for this would be to reconfigure the software so that the designator for that window motor matches what it SHOULD be for an AXG assembly.
4.) This is the only actual problem with the entire fitment.
The ECM technician that I spoke to did not have an actual fix for this problem (he was a freelance employee that did not work for GM), as he could not guarantee that he could make the repair for the swap. I am going to try to speak with the ECM technician at my local dealership and see if there's a means to outfit the proper information into the BCM at either a reduced cost or for free since the original programming was supposed to include the properties for the equipment that I have. If you have a similar issue, I recommend similar action (if this issue is frequent enough it could potentially become a recall).
Some of you may ask yourself, "Are power windows really worth the hassle?" No, but I got a gifted sonic ls and already owned the lt, but the ls looked nicer so here we are with the new lts, not to be mistaken with the ltz.
So, first off, the primary electronic difference between the main body harnesses is the bluetooth control module segment of the harness. The one for the lt is equipped with dual-wifi chips (bluetooth calling and bluetooth music = 2 wifi chips) and Onstar as well. Outside of that, TECHNICALLY, everything else should work and, for the most part does work. The upgrade package between the LS and LT sub-models differs by power mirrors, power windows, the door harnesses, the door covers, the speakers, the rims, and the aforementioned bluetooth module. There's also the radiator (automatic transmission has a xmission cooler built into the side), but it can still be retrofitted to fit the LS if you have a manual transmission (Honda 14M plugs from AutoZone do the trick).
Beyond that matter, let's discuss the BCM, or body control module for those of you who would like to know how the fitment is supposed to work. So, each component of the car that the BCM handles (in this car your window motors, window switches, door lock actuators, RAP accessories, etc.) are all handled by a datalink connection from the BCM. This datalink is responsible for sending and receiving signals from the components listed above (and a few more), and actually control some important features with each. In my case, the BCM wasn't sending signals to the driver's door, but was sending the proper signals to all the other doors, which also means that the door lock actuator isn't receiving the signal that it needs (my radio stays on after I get out, so I have to be careful about leaving powered stuff running), which isn't the end of the world, really, but it does make cause for some precautions, so I decided to research WHY it wasn't working because I like OEM and I like making it right.
Here's what I found with some help from a proficient and super helpful ECM tech after I came to the conclusion that the signal was wrong:
1.) The LS is SUPPOSED to be able to be kitted for the exact same power window assembly as the LT stock, according to part diagrams designed for my VIN.
2.) The BCM is incorrectly configured, also according to that same parts diagram by VIN #.
3.) The ONLY actual fix for this would be to reconfigure the software so that the designator for that window motor matches what it SHOULD be for an AXG assembly.
4.) This is the only actual problem with the entire fitment.
The ECM technician that I spoke to did not have an actual fix for this problem (he was a freelance employee that did not work for GM), as he could not guarantee that he could make the repair for the swap. I am going to try to speak with the ECM technician at my local dealership and see if there's a means to outfit the proper information into the BCM at either a reduced cost or for free since the original programming was supposed to include the properties for the equipment that I have. If you have a similar issue, I recommend similar action (if this issue is frequent enough it could potentially become a recall).