Body Control Module (BCM) melted

[KidZoom]

Thanks in advance.

 

Here is my problem.

 

2018 Nissan NV3500 VIN  5BZAF0AA2JN851375

 

Let's start at the end. 

 

The BCM is melted.  See attached images.

The Main Harness plug into the BCM is melted.

      The whole harness may need replaced but I am willing to rewire and repin the plug if I can get the correct wiring pattern. 

 

Here is how I got here. 

 

God told me to wait another day, I did not. 

 

Driver door lock actuator not working. I dissembled the actuator and replaced the motor. I tested the actuator before I reassembled the housing. The motor popped loose because I was not holding it together strong enough in my hands. But it all went back together and worked. That is about the time I noticed the faint burning of plastic smell. It was so faint; I thought it just might be the floor mat odor. I reassembled the door.

 

Next, I moved on to cleaning the electric throttle body. Removed the air intake, pushed accelerator pedal to the floor with the key on to open the throttle body. I did not open. I tried for a few minutes and gave up to grab lunch.

 

Came back to work on car and found a golf ball size chunk of melted plastic on the floor mat under the steering column. Looked in the dash. found the melted parts. I disconnected the battery.

 

I pulled the instrument cluster to find the catastrophe. Murphy's Law, $3,000 part will sacrifice itself to save a 10 cent fuse.

 

I checked, I did not break any insulation and just reconnected plugs for the actuator and controls. I honestly do not know what caused the short at the BCM. An ant could have crawled in or the prolonged depressing of the accelerator, God teaching me a lesson is my best answer.

 

Here is my current situation. I will get it fixed. Here are the details.

the BCM part number 284B11PA3C is currently unavailable nationwide from Nissan. But I found a couple on ebay and the internet.

 

Main Harness

240109JJ8A 

 

My major concerns are:

 

that I cannot find the workable parts.

 

can you get the color codes for the plug into the BCM, I found plugs I can repin or splice.

 

that I replace all the parts, and the thing melts again.

 

that I will have issues reprogramming the BCM. Will it need to be reprogrammed?

 

Edited April 11 by KidZoom
correct information

[crusty]

Full coverage insurance?  This is a fire claim.  Did that to a Dodge many years ago.

[KidZoom]

WOW. What a great idea. I will try that. Thanks.

[radin2son]

How did this turn out with your insurance company? Will they go with an eBay (Nissan?) part to fix your main harness or total your van over a nationwide, unavailable “$3000” part?

 

 

Edited April 18 by radin2son

[KidZoom]

2 hours ago, radin2son said:

How did this turn out with your insurance company? Will they go with an eBay (Nissan?) part to fix your main harness or total your van over a nationwide, unavailable “$3000” part?

 

 

I spoke with my long-time agent. He said he had similar personally and it took a bit of wrangling, but he got it covered. I spoke with Nissan, they will do the repair and use outside parts, even ebay because the part is out of stock nationally. Interestingly, the local Nissan that will do the repair, their price on the main harness is $1,220. However, at their website the same part was $731. They told me they use a third-party vendor for their website part orders. Their service department assures me that they will warrantee the work and parts from Nissan. I'm not so sure how they will handle warrantee on the ebay part, so I bought the insurance on the part through Allstate on ebay.

 

I got the Nissan factory parts today. The ebay vendor shipped the wrong part, so I just bought from another ebay vendor.

 

Next step is to file the auto insurance claim and see where that goes.

 

I'll update as this progresses.

 

[KidZoom]

How much programming will be involved with the replacement BCM?

 

[Local Apparent Friday]

The dealer will just be able to program it right to your vin, which will make it so your keys work and the van runs.  Pretty sure that covers the immobilizer and that's it.  The actual engine/trans tuning stuff is a different module.  

[KidZoom]

On 4/18/2025 at 10:52 PM, Local Apparent Friday said:

The dealer will just be able to program it right to your vin, which will make it so your keys work and the van runs.  Pretty sure that covers the immobilizer and that's it.  The actual engine/trans tuning stuff is a different module.  

Thanks so much. 

I'll keep everyone posted.