This 1999 Pontiac Firebird came in with the complaint that the power windows and the radio did not work. Observation showed that the radio/clock display worked but when the power windows were activated they went off. Of course the windows did not work either. The customer had stated that some times they worked and sometimes they did not. Not working at all was becoming more frequent.
A quick study of the vehicle wiring diagrams showed that both systems were controlled by the RAP (Retained Accessory Power) relay which is internal to the BCM (Body Control Module). The BCM is located under the passenger side of the dash. There may be a hush panel under the dash that is held in place by a couple of push pin retainers. It was not present on this car. I found it easier to access the BCM by also removing the interior trim panel shown below.
There were four phillips headed screws located along the length of the panel. Two could be removed with ba screw driver and two needed to be removed with a bit and wrench as shown below.
There are three harness connectors attached to the BCM.
It is also easier to disconnect the harness connector to the blower motor at the same time.
With all of the wiring out of the way the BCM can be wiggled and pulled down.
The BCM out of the vehicle.
There are a couple of latches that have to be released to access the circuit board.
Then the circuit board needs to be carefully lifted out of the BCM housing.
There is a larger solder joint in the center of the picture that has a crack ring in the solder. Click on the picture a couple of times to enlarge it for a better view.
It took just a quick resoldering of the joint and this BCM was back in business. A lot quicker and less expensive than replacing the BCM and the required programming to do so.