2001 L300 lights flashing, starts, but cant get it out of park

Hello, a friend of mine has a 2001 Saturn L300 it has an intermeiate problem that we cant seem to pin point. All the interior lights flash (dome, dash bord, door lights.. everything on the interior of the car) which when it does this issue. It also will start but will not come out of park. It happens about 50% of the time. Last time it had happened she had driven it to the gas station just fine. Then when she went to drive it back home. It wouldnt get out of park. Ended up having to get it into neutral, then start it up so she could drive it back home. We have replaced the alternator, we have a MAF sensor, and an O2 upflow sensor on the way (as per the scanner codes) these will mot help the problems that are causing her to keep getting stranded. We have tried to reset the secerity system several times. Has not seemed to work. I also been thinking that the brake light sensor might be bad but been told that the brake light wouldnt work either, which it does. We have also checked the fuses as well. We are debating on changing out the lock cylinoid (sp?) as per a bad sensor in it?, contacting an locksmith as possible bad chip in the key (but wouldnt this be a constent thing?), maybe replacing the immoblizer, security modular.. any ideas as this is starting to cost a small fortune for her..
Also the car doesnt chime when the key is in the igition with door open..

Thanks for your time and help!

 

The Body Control Module (BCM) runs; security, interior/exterior lighting, accrues mileage for odometer display, is the gateway for all modules communicating to the OBD II port, and more It also controls the Park solenoid in the shift assembly in conjunction with the ignition switch. The bcm is hiding under the passenger side window cowling; a large wire harness can be seen on the firewall running horizontally across the top of the firewall in the engine bay.

You can bypass the shift lock solenoid; lift up the shift boot cover to reveal the shifter assembly, a white plastic locking tab connected to the shift lock solenoid can be moved out of the way or disconnected physically to allow the shifter to move, If you remove the tab or assembly, you won't have to press the brake pedal to release the shift lock. The brake pedal has two switches; one is for the brake and cruise control circuits, the other is for the shift lock circuit. Wear and tear may occur with an old car.

Be aware that the bcm can fail at any time after many years of reliable use, Replacing it requires relearning a security password that can be done at home. Used BCMs retain original mileage and cannot be altered. The relearn procedure requires three, 10 minute ignition ON cycles with the 4th cycle of turning on ignition automatically syncing the ecm and bcm security password to allow startup.

 

There are two pads you may take if you decide to go forward with addressing the BCM issue.

1) Go to a wrecking yard and find a BCM module with the same part number as your BCM that came from a vehicle as similar to yours as possible. Meaning as many of the same options as possible. Sometimes you can find a junkyard BCM close enough to yours That is still functional and bring it home, perform the reader and procedure as described above, and you're good to go. However, life is not always that simple.

2) The other route is to put out the dollars for a blank remanufactured BCM and have someone program it to your VIN. This is expensive and most GM dealers will claim they don't have access to the programs needed to perform this task. Actually, they do but it's a pain for them and most don't even want to touch the car because if the programming does not produce a functional BCM that works in your car, they are on the hook to solve the issue, and many of them were not born when the car was manufactured. The same reason the majority of mechanics will refuse to work on Saturn vehicles. That and parts scarcity for different models.

Anyway, those are the two basic pathways. One costs the cost of a used BCM and some time. The last quote I heard for replacing a BCM in a Saturn L car was about $700 including the BCM itself. They will not program a BCM that you bring to them because they don't know its history and therefore will not warranty any of the work, which again just makes them want to not have anything to do it.

I would suggest you track inventory coming into your local wrecking yards, being on the lookout for a car very similar to yours. It's probably your best chance, since the models get pulled once they enter the yard. The match will only be as good as the inventory information IE which VIN it came from, etc.