Power door locks

[Terry Wilkerson]

I need to verify with someone what I'm thinking about my power door locks. The passenger side lock works using either door switch. The driver side does not work using either door switch. I did find and print a wiring diagram for the system. I'm trying to eliminate having to pull the relay out because it really hard to get to. I think it working. From the diagram it looks to me like the relay has to be working. The switches just operate the relay only. It's the out put side of the relay that operates the solenoids. Both solenoids are tied together on the outgoing power. So it appears to me the problem must be wiring and or driver side solenoid. Does this make since to anyone?

 

[Snoots]

Time to get out the DMM or test light. If you hear the relay click with either switch, check the output wire. If you have voltage there when activating the switch then it's the solenoid.

 

[CalSgt]

Time to get out the DMM or test light. If you hear the relay click with either switch, check the output wire. If you have voltage there when activating the switch then it's the solenoid.

Exactly this^^^

 

[Terry Wilkerson]

I bought a lock solenoid off an 87 corvette, same solenoid. Bench tested it and it works. Just had to swap the mounting brackets out. $6.00 No power to the driver side lock solenoid. I did use a meter to verify this. Relay clicks and both switches operate the passenger side lock. That makes me think that relay is working. I found a harness connection under the dash near the ac duct work. Maybe the problem is there. One more clue the non operating solenoid boot was completely melted. The original solenoid is froze up and won't move. It must have gotten really hot at some point. It's cold here in KC today so I think I'll come back to it tomorrow.

 

[Snoots]

Wires in the 'boot' area tend to break. PO probably just disconnected the harness after the meltdown. I'd pull the harness and boot off from the cab for a look see. ALWAYS tie a string to the connector so you can pull the harness back thru a lot easier.

 

[Terry Wilkerson]

Sounds like a plan.
More to come.

 

[Matt69olds]

And watch out for the sharp metal edges when working inside the doors of these trucks. Anytime I do anything inside the doors, my hands and fingers looked like I tangled with a bunch of raccoons.

 

[Terry Wilkerson]

I did find both door lock wires broke in the door boot. Also found one of the window motor wires with cracked insulation. I cut the kick panel out to get access for the new wires. I pulled the three wires back out of the door and the kick panel. Made a short three wire harness. I pulled it into place thru the grommet and crimped it all together. I made a patch and pop riveted it in place.. Door locks work! Attached are some pics of the repair.