I have an El fairmont with a dodgy BCM-you know the ones-no start so give the dash by your left knee a wack with they key in the starter position. Is there any aftermarket fix for this or am I just up for an equally old unit from a wreckers? This will crap out sooner or later and it just doesnt justify a spensy new one even if they are available/

It happened to mine years ago. The auto elec opened it up and re soldered some cracked tracks and dry joints and has been good since. Maybe try opening yours up and do the same thing.

Also topic moved to auto electrical forum

cool, thanks. I wondered if a removal and a bit of good electrical spray may fix it. They look like a complete pain to get in/out. My manual suggests I have to remove nearly the whole dash.

Its not that hard. Take your panel off the face of your dash ( the one that goes around the cluster and heater controls), lower your steering column, lower the back rest of your drivers seat as far back as you can. That should give you plenty of room to maneuver in a way you can kind of see what your doing. A decent length phillips head will get to the top screws and then I think there is some bottom screws.
I thought too that I would have to remove most of the dash but if you dont want to be doing that you can access the screws with a little effort without removing the dash.

I agree about the dash. Too many screw etc. I did try it a fair while ago but it was later in the day and it was taking too long so I put it back together. I reckong I could get it out in place, but the re-install would be a b**ch.

It can be a prick, and yes disgusting words may be said but its f**k loads easier than pulling the lower dash out.