I was driving down a smooth street this morning, in my'96 Formula. The radio shuts off and the antenna goes down. The power windows also stop working. About 30 seconds later, everything starts working again. This is not the first time this has happened. Where do I start looking? The BCM or somewhere else?

 

Check to make sure your battery connections are tight?

Also, whatever you do, don't wash your car. They'll multiply.

 

The windows and radio are controlled by the retained accessory power (RAP) feature, and in 1996 that module was combined into the BCM, which was only added starting in 96. I'd say you have a BCM problem. I've seen reports that the BCM PC board has a couple weak spots, and they result in the solder joints coming loose that affect the RAP feature. I've even seen a photo showing the points that can be resoldered, with some care. I'll see if I can find that photo.

Shoebox has the BCM wiring diagram:

http://shbox.com/1/bcm_1996.jpg

 

Try this post, from another site:

http://www.firebirdnation.com/forums...ost__p__665551

 

Thanks Fred. I'll have to look into that.

 

Sounds like the RAP to me...