Educate Me - BECM - Land Rovers Only

Carl Johansson · 01-21-2005, 10:00 AM

OK guys,
I need to be educated. What is the BECM - and what is it supposed to do. Apparently when it goes kaflooey it causes all sorts of electrical gremlins, door locks and unlocks, vehicle won't start, battery runs down, etc-
is it expensive to replace? Can a used one be found?
Can you just remove it from the vehicle (I'm guessing theft deterent issues would stop this solution)

And so - I'm looking at buying an 89 classic. Good price and in good shape - but it currently has a "Dead Battery". Interesting, since they told me it was a new battery - someone could have left the lights on - but it could be an indicator of bigger problems. Does this thing have a BECM? Do they have a history of failing? how hard is it to replace?

Thanks for your input!

Carl Johansson
Sunny California - 76 degrees today!

1955diesel · 01-21-2005, 03:08 PM

Body Electrical Control Module.
Controls everything except for the engine and even carries the vehicle mileage reading with it.

1955diesel · 01-21-2005, 03:10 PM

http://www.carelect.demon.co.uk/rrbecm.html

lonestarrover · 01-21-2005, 05:48 PM

Carl,
The 89 RR does not have a BECAM, 95 and newer RR's have them. The BECAM on the newer RR's controls alot of body functions, etc. and can cause problems that can only be checked with a test book. The 89 RR is pretty simple and alot more reliable than the new ones.

Carl Johansson · 01-22-2005, 07:27 PM

Thanks for the information guys - that relieves some concerns!

troverman · 01-25-2005, 11:22 AM

To clarify what lonestar said-some 95's have them and some don't. In fact, some 94's have them. True: All P38a Range Rovers (2nd generation, 4.0 / 4.6 / 2.5 Diesel) have a BeCM. No "Classic" (Original style 1970-1996) Range Rovers have them.

It was also stated earlier that the BeCM controls everything except the engine. That's not quite true, as the BeCM communicates via serial connection with the engine mgt, and determines if it will allow the engine to start or even stay running. Not a good computer unless its working well. Located under the right hand seat, large module. About $1,000 US, plus installation and programming.

01-21-2005, 10:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
Carl Johansson Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Auberry Ca Posts: 9 Gallery: 0	Educate Me - BECM OK guys, I need to be educated. What is the BECM - and what is it supposed to do. Apparently when it goes kaflooey it causes all sorts of electrical gremlins, door locks and unlocks, vehicle won't start, battery runs down, etc- is it expensive to replace? Can a used one be found? Can you just remove it from the vehicle (I'm guessing theft deterent issues would stop this solution) And so - I'm looking at buying an 89 classic. Good price and in good shape - but it currently has a "Dead Battery". Interesting, since they told me it was a new battery - someone could have left the lights on - but it could be an indicator of bigger problems. Does this thing have a BECM? Do they have a history of failing? how hard is it to replace? Thanks for your input! Carl Johansson Sunny California - 76 degrees today! Last edited by Carl Johansson : 01-21-2005 at 10:27 AM. Reason: Fix my horrible grammar

01-25-2005, 11:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
troverman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 293 Gallery: 0	To clarify what lonestar said-some 95's have them and some don't. In fact, some 94's have them. True: All P38a Range Rovers (2nd generation, 4.0 / 4.6 / 2.5 Diesel) have a BeCM. No "Classic" (Original style 1970-1996) Range Rovers have them. It was also stated earlier that the BeCM controls everything except the engine. That's not quite true, as the BeCM communicates via serial connection with the engine mgt, and determines if it will allow the engine to start or even stay running. Not a good computer unless its working well. Located under the right hand seat, large module. About $1,000 US, plus installation and programming. __________________ Current: 2005 Land Rover LR3 V8 SE w/ factory winch 1992 Land Rover Range Rover County Also current: 1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Wagon 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan GLS 1996 Ford Explorer LTD 2WD 1982 Volvo 240 GL Diesel Previous Rovers: 2000 Land Rover Discovery II SD 1995 Range Rover 4.0SE

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01-21-2005, 03:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
1955diesel Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Solihull England Posts: 75 Gallery: 0	Body Electrical Control Module. Controls everything except for the engine and even carries the vehicle mileage reading with it.

01-21-2005, 03:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
1955diesel Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Solihull England Posts: 75 Gallery: 0	http://www.carelect.demon.co.uk/rrbecm.html

01-21-2005, 05:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
lonestarrover Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 57 Gallery: 0	Carl, The 89 RR does not have a BECAM, 95 and newer RR's have them. The BECAM on the newer RR's controls alot of body functions, etc. and can cause problems that can only be checked with a test book. The 89 RR is pretty simple and alot more reliable than the new ones.

01-22-2005, 07:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Carl Johansson Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Auberry Ca Posts: 9 Gallery: 0	Thanks for the information guys - that relieves some concerns!

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