Restore Your Impala’s Electrical System with a Plug-and-Play BCM
Are you tired of dealing with baffling electrical problems in your 2006-2013 Chevrolet Impala? Intermittent power windows, flickering lights, a malfunctioning radio, or a security system that randomly prevents your car from starting are all classic signs of a failing Body Control Module (BCM). As the central command center for your vehicle’s body electronics, a faulty BCM can cause widespread and frustrating issues. This is the definitive solution to restore full functionality and peace of mind.
This isn’t just a replacement part; it’s a complete, ready-to-install solution. We take the hassle and expense out of the repair by programming this 2006-2013 Impala BCM to your car’s specific Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) before it ships. This means no costly trips to the dealership for programming. Just provide your VIN at checkout, and we’ll handle the rest, loading the latest GM software updates for optimal performance.
A Technician’s Notebook: The Case of the Haunted Impala
A customer brought in their 2011 Impala last month with a list of complaints that sounded like the car was possessed. The dome light would stay on, the driver’s side window wouldn’t go down, and the key fob worked only half the time. They had already replaced the battery and checked fuses with no luck. After connecting my scan tool, I saw multiple communication loss codes with various accessory modules. In my 20+ years of experience, this pattern almost always points back to one culprit: the BCM. It’s the central hub, and when it starts to fail, it sends confusing signals everywhere. We installed one of our VIN-programmed BCMs, and within an hour, every single issue was resolved. The customer was thrilled to have their car back to normal without a massive dealership bill.
Is Your Impala Showing These Symptoms?
- ✔ Erratic or non-functional power windows, door locks, or mirrors.
- ✔ Interior or exterior lights that flicker, stay on, or don’t work at all.
- ✔ The security or anti-theft light is on, causing a no-start condition.
- ✔ The radio or infotainment system behaves unpredictably.
- ✔ False warnings appearing on the dashboard information center.
- ✔ Key fob not responding or working intermittently.
A Straightforward Guide to Installation
Replacing the BCM in your Impala is a manageable job for a confident DIYer. Follow these steps for a successful installation.
- Safety First: Always disconnect the negative terminal from your vehicle’s battery and wait at least 10 minutes to allow all systems to power down completely.
- Locate the BCM: On the 2006-2013 Impala, the BCM is typically located behind the driver’s side of the dashboard, to the left of the steering column. You may need to remove the lower dash panel for access.
- Disconnect and Remove: Carefully unplug the electrical connectors from the old BCM. They have locking tabs that need to be depressed. Once disconnected, unbolt or unclip the module from its mounting bracket.
- Install the New Module: Mount your new, pre-programmed BCM in the same location and securely reconnect all the electrical harnesses. Ensure they click into place.
- Reconnect Power: Re-install any trim panels you removed and then reconnect the negative battery terminal.
- Perform Final Procedures: Follow the critical post-installation steps outlined below to ensure all systems, especially safety features, are correctly initialized.
Important: Post-Installation Procedures
After installing your new BCM, a few final steps are required to ensure everything works correctly. These are not optional and are critical for safety and performance.
- Airbag System Reset: The airbag warning light will likely be illuminated. You must perform the ‘Setup SDM Primary Key in BCM’ procedure using a compatible, professional-grade diagnostic scan tool. This re-establishes communication between the BCM and the airbag system.
- Brake Pedal Position Sensor Relearn: Some vehicles require a brake pedal position sensor recalibration. This ensures the brake lights and stability control systems function as intended. This also requires a capable scan tool.
Note: If you are not comfortable with these final steps or do not have access to the necessary tools, we strongly recommend seeking assistance from a qualified professional mechanic.
Verified Vehicle Compatibility
This Body Control Module is a direct fit for a wide range of General Motors vehicles. Please verify your part number and model from the list below.
This module replaces the following part numbers:
10382479, 15093910, 15276271, 15299986, 15819552, 15828601, 15837419, 15872388, 15872421, 15880684, 15921352, 15921353, 15948438, 15948439, 20815898, 20839063, 20864767, 20864768, 20921435, 20921436, 20935349, 22860591, 25826124, 25826125, 25847588, 25847589, 25892622, 25910474, 25934762, 25934763, 95151084
AVALANCHE 1500 10 (under steering column), ID 25892622
CAPRICE 11-13
CAPTIVA SPORT 12 (center dash), ID 20921435, 20921436, or 22860591
CTS 08-13 (LH or RH dash, check notes)
DTS 06-11 (RH center dash)
ENCLAVE 08-12 (LH dash)
EQUINOX 07-09 (center dash)
ESCALADE / ESV / EXT 10 (under steering column), ID 20815898 or 25892622
EXPRESS VANS 08-12 (check notes for engine/year specifics)
G8 08-09 (center dash)
HUMMER H2 08-09 (LH firewall)
IMPALA 06-13 (LH dash)
LUCERNE 06-11 (right side dash)
MONTE CARLO 06-07 (LH steering column)
OUTLOOK 07-10 (center dash)
SAVANA VANS 08-12 (check notes for engine/year specifics)
SRX 07-09 (LH dash)
STS 10 (center dash)
SUBURBAN 1500 10 (under steering column), ID 20815898 or 25892622
TAHOE 10 (under steering column), ID 20815898 or 25892622
TORRENT 07-09 (center dash)
TRAVERSE 09-12 (LH dash)
VUE 08-10 (center dash)
YUKON / YUKON XL 1500 10 (under steering column), ID 20815898 or 25892622
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does the Body Control Module do?
The BCM acts as the brain for your car’s body electronics. It controls functions not related to the engine, such as power windows, locks, interior/exterior lights, the security system, and the radio.
Why do you need my VIN number?
Your vehicle’s VIN is required so we can program the BCM with the correct software and vehicle-specific options before shipping. This ensures it communicates properly with the other modules in your car and makes the installation process much smoother.
Is this a difficult part to install myself?
For someone with moderate mechanical skill, it is a manageable job. The main challenge is typically accessing the module’s location within the dash. The most critical part is performing the post-installation relearn procedures with a proper scan tool.
What happens if I don’t do the airbag or brake sensor reset?
Failure to perform the ‘Setup SDM Primary Key’ procedure will result in a persistent airbag warning light and a non-functional SRS system. Not recalibrating the brake sensor can lead to issues with brake light operation and stability control, posing a significant safety risk.
Will this fix my car’s security light and no-start problem?
A faulty BCM is a very common cause of security system issues in these GM vehicles. If the BCM is the root cause, this pre-programmed module is designed to resolve that problem.
Is this BCM new or used?
This is a high-quality, inspected, and tested used OEM part, guaranteed for functionality and programmed with the latest software available for your VIN.