GMC Repair: 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix-- BCM, pontiac grand prix, communication circuits

Question
Hi, My son has a 2005 Grand Prix that will not start. He took it to a small garage in our town and they told him that the BCM was bad so he bought a new one but the garage didn't have a TECH2 and couldn't program it. So, we had it towed to the nearest dealer today and they are telling him that they can't get the new BCM to program and that there is something else wrong that is keeping it from taking the program. so my question is: Is their statement true? and if so, what else could be wrong that would keep the new BCM from being programmed? He is running out of money at this point and really needs the car.

Answer
Hi
First it IS a true statement. There are instances where the new module is unable to take a program. Possible causes would be no power or no ground to the module. A broken communication circuit. If the module had previously been programmed or set up. Mis matched  module, eg. not the proper module for that year model vehicle. I have seen also, instances where aftermarket modules (Non GM Parts) for some reason are unable to be programmed properly.
This is how I would start, make sure all fuses, power circuits TO the BCM and all  module grounds are good and in working order.
If other modules are able to communicate with the scan tool and NOT the BCM, I would check the communication circuits ta make sure they in good order.
I would then suspect the module he purchased as being faulty.