[LXS]

Well here's my problem, for whatever reasons my automatic door locks seem to stop working while I'm driving and don't open with I turn the truck off. I noticed that it started when I took off the door panel to replace the inside door latch mechanism because the old door handle had broke. After I installed the new one and put everything back together the locks started not to open. They'll open like they're suppose to, but then they'll stop. I've checked my fuses and they seem fine. I've somewhat narrowed it down to it possbily being my driver's seat. Seems like when I sit down they stop working. That's the only thing I can think of now ...I was even thinking maybe it could be some wires in the engine compartment that were suffering from all the heat. Also, if they are working while I'm in the truck and driving, I'll notice the radio's lights dim and the music sound like it doesn't have any power, then it'll start working again, BUT the locks don't I did notice when I pulled the cover for the fuses on the side of the dash on the driver's side that one of those little tin fuses, the one on top, is/gets really hot...I was thinking that maybe that was the problem or had something to do with it. I swapped it with the one below and it seemed to be working, but as soon as I got in the truck and turned it on, the locks stopped working again Well, sorry for such a long question, but this has really been biting me in the a$$......PLEASE!!!!! can anyone help??? I can really use the info and it is much appreciated. Thanks everyone!!!

 

[LXS]

Anyone??????

 

[John_Muha]

Well, I'm going to guess that you are working on the 95 truck you have listed in your signature, since you used the word "truck". It's a little tough since I don't have a schematic on that. I assume these are manual locks where you are hitting a switch to open or lock them. One of the leads into the driver's side switch has to have 12 volts to ground all the time. Might start there. Doesn't sound like a lock actuator problem because both the drivers and passengers either work or don't work.

 

[LXS]

How do you think I could/should go about trying to fix it? What tool(s) are needed? TIA

 

[chev-hell]

check ALL the wiring in the door, sounds like you have a hot wire that's grounding from time to time (maybe you squished a wire or put a screw thru it while messing with the door panel) hence it working sometimes.... sounds like a short definately.... just gotta trace it down (that's the FUN part)

 

[70 nialator]

Should be easy enough, just retrace your steps. If it started happening after you changed something in the door you can bet that you inadvertently did something wrong.

 

[John_Muha]

Originally posted by LXS:
How do you think I could/should go about trying to fix it? What tool(s) are needed? TIA

1, A schematic.
2, A VOM (meter).

 

[LXS]

Do you guys think there could be any chance that my seat has anything to do with it? Like I think I mentioned earlier, I noticed when I sit down then the locks stop working, whether the door is open or not. Or do you think that's just coincidence? Another thing, I can't recall if I also mentioned it, the little 30amp tin box fuse that controls the door locks and driver's seat gets EXTREMELY HOT!!! What do you guys think? Or is it because of the short that I haven't found yet?

 

[70 nialator]

I would start with the door. It never fails, even if you take your time and put everything back just the way it came apart something will inevitably be wrong. “Murphy’s law is a bitch” Thoroughly recheck the wires in and around the area you were working the first time. If this turns up nothing then continue with the seat or wherever the wires take you.

If I recall correctly GM locks are a ground pulse activated system. Meaning that if one of the ground wire(s) is pinched the relay will remain engaged and the relays will become worm or even hot as if you were holding down the lock of unlock buttons. This will also make it seam as if they are not working because if the lock or unlock is already engaged when you push the lock or unlock buttons on the door nothing is going to happen because the system is in a sense is already busy….

 

[SS540]

Had exactly the same thing happen on a 96 S-10 Blazer. The power seats were on the same circuit breaker as the door locks. Found the power seat wire pinched between the seat bracket and the carpet. When I sat on the seat it shorted, causing the circuit breaker to get very hot.

 

[LXS]

Originally posted by SS540:
Had exactly the same thing happen on a 96 S-10 Blazer. The power seats were on the same circuit breaker as the door locks. Found the power seat wire pinched between the seat bracket and the carpet. When I sat on the seat it shorted, causing the circuit breaker to get very hot.

I think I've got that same problem. I dissconnected the harness for the seat adjuster controls, and it seems like my problem is gone

...only problem now is having to leave my seat adjusted all the way back...exactly the way I like it I think I'm gonna have to take my seat off and take a good look at all the wires. I can't tell from just looking underneath the seat if any of the wires are piched or exposed. Anybody got any advice or short cuts? Please keep 'em coming, it's all appreciated