1981 Corvette Door Locks Issue
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Houston Texas
1981 Corvette Door Locks Issue
I have a 1981 corvette I am finally getting around to trying to get them working. I have replaced both actuators and the driver's side switch. When I reconnected the new actuators they do nothing. If I check power at the actuator plug on both pin for that connector and hit the window switch I get 12 volts and go the other way with the switch I get -12v. The ground is connected on the passenger side door. But the passenger side switch only works one way not both ways, so I order a new switch for that side. Just to check the new actuators I did hook up the actuator straight to the battery and it started working, so the actuator is good. I believe there is a ground issue, I am hoping it's the switch on the passenger side that's the problem. But I'm leaning on buying a new pigtail for that side also. Anyone else have an issue like this? Thanks in advance!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
I have a 1981 corvette I am finally getting around to trying to get them working. I have replaced both actuators and the driver's side switch. When I reconnected the new actuators they do nothing. If I check power at the actuator plug on both pin for that connector and hit the window switch I get 12 volts and go the other way with the switch I get -12v. The ground is connected on the passenger side door. But the passenger side switch only works one way not both ways, so I order a new switch for that side. Just to check the new actuators I did hook up the actuator straight to the battery and it started working, so the actuator is good. I believe there is a ground issue, I am hoping it's the switch on the passenger side that's the problem. But I'm leaning on buying a new pigtail for that side also. Anyone else have an issue like this? Thanks in advance!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
I tackled similar issues with my 78 a few years back, replacing the actuators then finding the wires to the switch frayed; all of which were contributing to power door locks not working as expected. IN addition, I found the terminals on the switch corroded so the one switch that was good, I cleaned up the terminals with emory paper. After that series of troubleshooting, and cleaning linkage while I had door panels off...it worked as expected. I'm including a link to the article I wrote up years back for Corvette Enthusiast...still the best C3 magazine but now history! 
http://www.hunt4cleanair.net/Article...lockrepair.pdf
http://www.hunt4cleanair.net/Article...lockrepair.pdf
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 94
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From: Houston Texas
Appreciate it! The new passenger switch came in today I'll put it on when I get home to see if that's it. If not, the only other thing it can be is the pig tail connector on the passenger side for the ground wire is not grounding properly to allow the actuator to engage. Or I'm hoping that's it anyway. Worst case scenario is running new wires from one side to the other.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
the 2 wires to the act are both + and - depending
on up or down.
no desperate ground.
dc motor reverses with + - reversed.
you said you measured 12+ and then 12neg.
wires sound fine?
on up or down.
no desperate ground.
dc motor reverses with + - reversed.
you said you measured 12+ and then 12neg.
wires sound fine?
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 94
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From: Houston Texas
Thanks for everyone’s help! While waiting on the pigtails for drivers and passenger side to come in I trouble shooted some more and found out the previous owner had replaced the pigtail and connected one of the grounds from the passenger pigtail in correctly. After getting my meter and seeing which prong in the switch sends that 12v signal to the other side I discovered He had one of the ground wires connected To the wrong connector on the pigtail. There are three black wires on that side two grounds and one that sends the 12v signal to the other side. he had one of the ground wires connected to the plug that sends the 12volts to the other side which is why the fuse would blow instantly when you would hit the unlock on the switch on the passenger side. Reconnected the wires properly and now my locks properly! Again thanks for everyone’s input!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Thanks for everyone’s help! While waiting on the pigtails for drivers and passenger side to come in I trouble shooted some more and found out the previous owner had replaced the pigtail and connected one of the grounds from the passenger pigtail in correctly. After getting my meter and seeing which prong in the switch sends that 12v signal to the other side I discovered He had one of the ground wires connected To the wrong connector on the pigtail. There are three black wires on that side two grounds and one that sends the 12v signal to the other side. he had one of the ground wires connected to the plug that sends the 12volts to the other side which is why the fuse would blow instantly when you would hit the unlock on the switch on the passenger side. Reconnected the wires properly and now my locks properly! Again thanks for everyone’s input!
