Seeking Pro Tips - Fog Light Mod

[Meodom]

Okay……I’ve come to the point in my mod I’ve been avoiding! I have my fog lights in, the OEM harness installed, Mike’s harness installed and the wire run through the firewall. It’s time to tackle pinning the BCM. I’ve read countless threads in prep to tackle this. I’m looking for any tips and encouragement I can get before I start what looks to be a real pain in the a$$!

I’ll take any tips y’all throw my way!

Some specifics I’d like to ask about.

1. The right fog (C4) connection is done one handed and seemingly in the blind. Tips on releasing the lock bar on the cover and popping the wire harness out of the cover one handed? Seems you need a small screw driver to pry the harness out of the cover. How is that accomplished one handed?

2. Same as above, is a screwdriver not required to detent the tab locking the harness cover locking bar to release it?

3. Anything I can/should try to move out of the way other than the connections in the BCM to the left of C4?

4. Anyone out there attempted this and couldn’t get it done?

5. How long did it take?

6. Should I remove the kick plate under the steering wheel for better access?

7. Finally, how many beers do I need to buy for this part of the project!?

 

[Jimmy07]

First things to do without even sitting there thinking “I wonder if I can do it without having to remove this”, is remove the lower knee panel completely (disconnected from OBD port and hood release), remove the amplifier/anc, pry out the wire loom Christmas tree push pin from the center of the BCM, and disconnect all 7 connectors from the BCM.
Disconnecting them blind one handed is pretty simple- imagine snapping your fingers- put your thumb at the bottom of the release lever, and your index finger on the push release tab above the lever. Push on the release tab and make a finger snapping motion.
Same thing with sliding the connector out of the shell. Grab the wire bundle with your four fingers, and pry outward on the connector shell with your thumb while pushing at the same time.
Here’s a video Mike made about handling the connectors:

 

[Meodom]

Thanks Jimmy. Ive watched that video 10 times already I bet!

What’s the trick on prying the wire harness out of the cover the snaps into the BCM? That takes a screwdriver correct? How does one do the prying with a screwdriver and pull it out with one hand?

 

[Meodom]

How about this silver guy in the background? Remove too?

 

[Jimmy07]

That’s the amplifier. Remove it.
If you disconnect everything from the BCM and free the harness, you should be able to pull the connectors close enough to work with two hands. Some tricks are just hard for me to explain.

 

[Meodom]

How about the silver guy in the back?

 

[Meodom]

That’s the amplifier. Remove it.
If you disconnect everything from the BCM and free the harness, you should be able to pull the connectors close enough to work with two hands. Some tricks are just hard for me to explain.

That makes perfect sense. Thank you for the advice.

 

[Meodom]

Also, thanks again for the part number. Installed and working beautifully.

 

[Becraig]

You guys are way better than me…2 of the ANC screws I can’t even get a tool in to take them loose!