Auto Parts: BCMs, holden commodore, local used car dealers

Question
i've got a 1995 Commodore and in November i went to get a new key for it because the buttons had come off. before i did though my dad told me that i should use the key instead of trying to press the buttons in. ever since i have been having trouble with the keys. when i unlock the car i have to then press the unlock button again to be able to start the engine. i have since bought a new key and i am unable to use the unlock or lock buttons on it. when i took it back to the key place that i bought it from they said that it was the bcm and that it happens in the older cars. Is this true? and is there any way of fixing this myself? if not can you suggest the best place that i should take my car to get it fixed. and what type of price range is it going to be in? thanks Melissa

Answer
    I'm going to assume that we are talking about a Holden Commodore, which, being from the U.S.A., I know very little about other than that it is a good car all-around.  It is possible that Holden uses the same sort of security system that its parent, GM, uses on its cars here in the States.  It really doesn't sound like it, though, it sounds more like the systems used by some of the Japanese manufacturers.  One thing that I have found is that the majority of locksmiths do not know how to properly reprogram the new keys to work in an existing car; I've had trouble with this myself.  There is a lot of proprietary technology involved and only a well-connected and experienced automotive locksmith will really be able to help.  So, you might want to do a little exploration amongst the local used car dealers (they always have their finger on who to trust and who not to) and you might find a consensus on who's the best man to go to for this job.  If HE tells you it's the BCM, well, it probably is; it does happen, more frequently than you'd think.  The system Lexus use is diabolical and horrendously expensive to repair.  Holden stuff should be much cheaper and might even be available rebuilt on an exchange basis, depending on how far out in the bush you are.  You can always go to the dealer and get it fixed, but I'd leave that as a last resort as it will certainly be the most expensive.