2012 M35h bulb replacements, trunk light and interior courtesy light not working

[fernicus]

ok, so the BCM is most probably or just maybe the problems that i'm having with the drivers side heat, cabin courtesy light and the trunk light? Could it be something else or is this most likely it? Seems like a whole host of other issues may come up if I replace the BCM. Is it as simple as replacing a fuse and being done with it? man, what a pain.

[EdBwoy]

For the list of symptoms you're having, the best we can do is guess that the BCM is the cause of all these problems.

If your heat issue started out of the blue way after your original issues, then maybe it's just coincidence. I saw something that seems to point at that being a separate issue and quite common too

...then a new heat box with all the actuators at 55k in 2015, after that the owners moved out of state.
So there are still the most recent 2 years and 32k miles that i haven't been able to trace down but the service advisor told me they are generally very reliable cars and the main problem they saw with the M was the heater blend door that wouldn't put heat to the passenger side of the car, ...

Unfortunately, I think we'll keep going in circles until something is changed. It sucks but that is part of troubleshooting.

As pedsemdoc showed above, the BCM ties those features together. Why not try replacing the common component to all the problems first?

Buy a used one cheaply online, and install it at home or the mechanic. If the car refuses to work because the BCM needs programming, reinstall the old one and take it to the dealership to do that. I say this because I've replaced a BCM without requiring anything special (different model)
If you can find one out of another hybrid even better, but I'd try to ask the seller what features the donor car had to compare to yours. Either way, once you get them both in hand, just compare and install fuses and relays in the new one if it's blank where your current one has them.

Or, even if you don't buy one, remove it from the car and check all the relays and fuses, then wiring harnesses around it.

That's how I'd go about digging myself out of this mess. Unfortunately it's gonna cost time or money, or both.

[fernicus]

hey Edwboy,
thanks for that response and seems closer to solving the issue than before. Of course, that means taking apart the whole dash I believe to get to the location of the BCM, correct? also, where does one buy a used BCM for this purpose online? I'm in Canada so just wondering. Honestly, i have a good mind to sell the car as is but do like the bad boy. Thanks again for all the answers.

[Ilya]

I bought and sold a BCM on ebay. I'd start there. Then move to local junk yards. And the BCM is under the dashboard on the driver side if I recall, tight squeeze but I didn't touch my dash.

[pedsemdoc]

Of course, that means taking apart the whole dash I believe to get to the location of the BCM, correct? also, where does one buy a used BCM for this purpose online?

You DON 'T have to take apart the whole dash to get to the BCM - see my post above.
For a used BCM, check EBay or local junkyard/pick-your-parts place.

[EdBwoy]

It's on page 63 of the Body Control System section of the FSM for the 2013 M37/56.

The BCM is on the LEFT side of the steering column in the instrument lower panel.



...

Yup! I'd go back to this post by the Doc.
And I do see them on eBay for as low as $75.

*Btw, I see that the Y51 BCM is a real "box" in design. No relays and fuses to check like older models, which should take away one level on complication.

[fernicus]

so in layman terms, the BCM looks to be the problem and not only do I have to get the BCM for my 2012 hybrid, but it also has to be programmed? on a scale of 1- 10, can this job be done by me, a layman when it comes to working on cars or should a mechanic do it? Of course, I have to find the BCM somewhere either cheap or used to replace the one that is faulty. Then again, it could not be the BCM and instead be the harnesses? Hate this. Anyone have a course of action I should take - repair or just sell the car as is? Man, a little frustrating and cold now. lol

[Ilya]

Swapping the BCM is relatively easy. Programming it can only be done by a dealer or someone with a CONSULT device. And yes, even if the BCM is part of the problem, the harness (as was in my case) could be the rest of the problem.

Without warranty to cover the cost, you either need to live with it or sell the car. IMO, it's not a fiscally responsible move to repair this yourself IF the issue is 100% identical to mine (which resulted in like $5.5k worth of work for the dealer). If your issue ends up being just a BCM and reprogram...that'll probably run like $300-400 all-in...so definitely worth it. But we have no way of knowing if just a BCM will fix your issue (it wouldn't have fixed mine).

[Frog]

Wouldn’t have fixed mine either. I would just live with it.

[fernicus]

so I'm wondering if my mechanic can just tell if it's the BCM alone and that's it or if I should bring the damn thing to the Infiniti dealership and pay their $125 assessment fee and take my chances that way and see if they can assess. Living with it would be tough because the heat on drivers side need heats up let alone the rest of the car with only the passenger and rear heat working. Will a mechanic be able to tell if it's simply just the BCM right away or is it one of those damn trial by error scenarios and it ends up costing me an arm and leg? Any thoughts? really thinking i should just sell the bloody thing and move on. Not sure because i do love the car but.......

[Ilya]

Likely need a CONSULT device so I'd pay the dealer diagnostic. Unless your mechanic has the diagnostic equipment specific too Nissan/Infiniti (CONSULT).

[Ilya]

And obviously pick a dealer whose got a track record of good troubleshooting and won't lie/screw you.

[fernicus]

simply put, now I'm beginning to think it is best to sell this sucker as is and buy another car with the amount it may cost. My mechanic told me it won't get any better down the line.
Any opinions on whether I should sell the badboy although very begrudgingly? Aye or nay?

[pedsemdoc]

I think I would give one last college try: buy a used BCM off of Fleabay, preferably one from a 2012 M35h (so you shouldn't have to program it, and give it a go)
If that doesn't solve your problem, then I guess you're back to your dilemma: cut your losses and sell it or stick it out.

[Ilya]

If it was just lights, I'd just suck it up and deal with it lol...but no heat (even on one side), especially where I live, is no bueno.

[fernicus]

yeah I would deal with the lights but it's no heat on drivers which burns me up more with the liar seller. should have been more diligent in checking the car.

[EdBwoy]

For me, I'd give it another try.
1. Buy used BCM
2. Install BCM. Might or might not need reprogramming
3. If reprogramming is needed, reinstall old BCM and go to dealership. Pay for at most 1 hour labor/ reprogramming fee
Hopefully you spend no more than $300 at this point.

However, if you want to get rid of the car, then you should just do it. How much would you get for it, if you disclose the issues you are having with it?

I wish you the best outcome in your decision

[fernicus]

Thanks for all the help and would love to keep the car if all items were working especially the heat on drivers of course. My mechanic told me it could only get worse if I wasnt' careful. Very few of these cars left on road any longer and a great car for sure. Can't seem to find a BCM on ebay as of yet that's for my model or should I just buy the generic BCM that they're selling there and have it reprogrammed? My mechanic told me that to reprogram is pricy also.
Ideally it seems as what you guys say i should get a BCM that was from an M35H just like mine instead of a generic one, correct? Many there that say they fit an M35H. What EDWBOY said is what I roughly had in mind to do. Get a BCM for it, try and install myself because it does seem pretty simple and hope for the best? But u guys also mentioned harnesses? the heat on passengers side doesn't seem that strong also to be honest, just warm at best. Does the BCM control this and the lights in cabin and trunk? I believe that was mentioned earlier.
Also to bring to dealer if it doesn't work and see what they say. Am I getting this all correct? lol
I was hunting around yesterday for another car to be honest when/if i sell the car.
Bought it for 20000 straight from an insurance salesman of all people along with the proviso that it had XM for life which he a week later transferred to his new car. Prick.

[fernicus]

as an addon, the car's rear defrost barely works along with front defrost because of cold air coming out of drivers air ducts obviously AND the car desperately needs snow tires and can't be driven on just regular all seasons. Serves me right for not getting snows earlier. What an idiot I was. not even sure if I can find any snows now so late in season with first major snow fall we've had. I was such an idiot in this purchase and makes me miss my old awd with the all seasons.

[Ilya]

What tires do you have? And Tirerack.com always has snow tires...only place I buy tires from.

[fernicus]

hey Ilya, don't mean to sound like a whiner here but I have all season Michelins which are crap for snow obvi. Tiretrack is only online purchases or are they located in toronto also? Also, I have a garage I always go to, my cousin's mechanic mentioned above. Perhaps best to have the tires sent to him and also, I imagine I need to get the rims also. what a pain.

[EdBwoy]

I haven't bought anything from tirerack, but from their website I understand they have affiliated locations that they can ship your tires to.

Also, I don't live in a place with extreme winter, but I don't think being "in-season" would be a disadvantage with local shops. I'm guessing they have good stock of the tires people are using/ need to replace when damaged in a given season. Kinda like looking for a winter coat in January.
Visit a local tire shop, sometimes they have very good deals including the road hazard protection plans.

[Larz]

I agree with you all. Try the used BCM. FYI, that module is $1,300 new from Infiniti Parts Online ($360 for non-hybrids). That is, if I did a proper search, LOL. If that doesn't work, maybe you can trade it at a non-Infiniti dealer where the trouble won't show up until the trade is complete and you're at home with your new car. Like you, I would have such guilt selling to anyone unless I disclosed the huge bill that comes with it and that would reduce the selling price to the next person.

As for tires, you can have Tire Rack do the whole thing for you. They mounted, balanced, and replaced TPM sensors on a set of 4 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3's for me and shipped them to a local shop I use. Delivered in 3 days. All I had to pay for was the shop charge to remove my existing wheels and put the new wheels on + an alignment.
We don't get snow down here, but they did fine in about 4" of snow in Pennsylvania and NY last winter as long as I drove according to conditions. I doubt that there is an all-season tire that performs 'excellent' in snow and there is NO tire that will perform well on ice.

[fernicus]

yeah, couldn't find that specialized BCM for my car on Ebay and only found generic ones for sale there. The generic ones ranged from $95 up to $400. Honestly, I was thinking about doing the trade at a major dealer for a car I want and walking away once I had my car and be done with it. To sell it to someone unwittingly would suck and can't imagine that happening. Will wait until after winter once I've suffered through it. Weather with this car is really bad. My original 08 Lexus gs350 was AWD and was amazing in this weather, never had a problem. I don't think I can go through another 10 inch snowfall with this monster unless I get snows even though it's freezing inside it. Sent a semi-nasty message to the loser about the car that sold me it and said merry xmas at the end of it. Of course, i haven't heard back from him. So Tirerack will also ship to a local shop for you, not just their shops? Thought they only shipped to theirs at their site.

[Ilya]

RE: Tires. I trust Tirerack's 'scores' on tires like I trust my own mother (when I compare tires, I immediately 'throw out' the ones with no score). Have never let me down. Now, they include 2yrs worth of 'road hazard' for free with all tire purchase (saved me $260 on a Pirelli Cinturato P7 tires when I had a malfunction of the rubber). As Ed said, they can ship to a bunch of garages in you area...however I'm not sure if that includes Canada.

If you're doing rims too, I'd do what Larz said and just order everything from TR and they will ship you the whole shebang ready to be mounted. I've done that a few times as well.

[fernicus]

ok, solves the tire problem but wouldn't just going with my mechanic be the same to get tires and install?

[pedsemdoc]

but wouldn't just going with my mechanic be the same to get tires and install?

No, unless your mechanic can get a substantial discount on tires and is willing to pass those savings on to you.
I will often find a reputable seller on Ebay, and have the tires shipped either to me or my local Discount Tire to have them mounted, balanced, etc.

[Mjkkb2]

My local Infiniti dealer will match the TireRack shipped prices. I never bought it from them because they only carry certain brands/models and never those I want to buy. But it would be worth asking...

[Ilya]

ok, solves the tire problem but wouldn't just going with my mechanic be the same to get tires and install?

Kind of. If he can match the price out the door and has the same tire, sure. But mom and pop shops almost NEVER have the selection of bigger chains for obvious market reasons. And he probably won't include 2 years of road hazard protection too boot.

[Larz]

Mjkkb2 makes an excellent point. My dealer will also match prices on tires. However, being a dealer, anything else will cost you more that Tire Rack. (TPMS sensors, balancing, mounting, etc). I DO recommend using the dealer for an alignment. I have a plan I purchased from Tires Plus - free rotation and alignment once every 5,000 miles. However, they never come close to the accuracy that the dealer does. It's almost night and day using the dealer so I never went back after that first free visit at Tires Plus.