Door panel take off? Help!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 164
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From: New Egypt NJ
Door panel take off? Help!
We are in the process of trying to take off the drivers side door panel right now. Took out all the screws, but something seems to hold it in. What is it? We want to change the door ignition switch for that problem I mentioned from my other posts. Thanks! Meanwhile, I'll be searching.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,651
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From: Apple Valley MN
I'm not sure if the '91 is similar to my '96 in this regard, but on mine there is a screw hidden behind the lock **** - you need to pop off the plastic slider in order to access it. There is also another screw behind the light in the door handle (and it is a little shorter than the others, important to note). You can use a putty knife to carefully pry up on the cover for the light to pop it out. Hope that helps.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Remove the two screws like I told you and watch for the metal backing plate. Make sure the window is up and out of the way. Unplug the orginal from the harness and reinstall. Simple with the door panel out of the way. GC
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 164
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From: New Egypt NJ
but we don't see anything that looks like it...(the door alarm switch). We don't have the door switches yet, we figured since I had this door alarm switch already lets try that out first but looking inside the door, looks like its more complicated. Might just try greasing up the lock first, and if that doesn't work, then go and buy the switch.
Last edited by frannyzvette; Mar 22, 2009 at 02:20 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
but we don't see anything that looks like it...(the door alarm switch). We don't have the door switches yet, we figured since I had this door alarm switch already lets try that out first but looking inside the door, looks like its more complicated. Might just try greasing up the lock first, and if that doesn't work, then go and buy the switch.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 164
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From: New Egypt NJ
so thats where the beginning is? It looked like that (by the way, saw this picture after re-installing that p.i.a. door panel.) But not sure where the other end of the switch was.
So, after greasing parts, its still the same.
When you 'power lock' the doors, you cannot open with a key because the vette alarm will go off. So you have to lock and unlock with a key to be silent.
The Viper Alarm key FOB will not lock the door, YET, if the doors are locked, it will unlock the doors, but of course the vette alarm will go off.
So, you still think its the power door switch?
So, after greasing parts, its still the same.
When you 'power lock' the doors, you cannot open with a key because the vette alarm will go off. So you have to lock and unlock with a key to be silent.
The Viper Alarm key FOB will not lock the door, YET, if the doors are locked, it will unlock the doors, but of course the vette alarm will go off.
So, you still think its the power door switch?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
That switch which I posted up in a picture is the possible root of your alarm problem. It is also the interior light switch. When it breaks contact remember you said your interior lights flicker from time to time? When the car is locked it will also set off the alarm if its a defective switch that break contact. This is one three swiches that can cause that in a coupe. Both doors and the rear hatch. This swtich on the driver door usally gets the most wear so its "normally" the first to go.
The locking problem is a weak door lock actuator, I suggest you lube up the door locking rod at the hinge points. But you may have to replace the actual auctator (Which is not cheap) which is why I suggested lube the locking rod points first.
The door panel will get easier the more times you do it. Ive been behind the panel 4 times in the past two years for various issues. Good luck.
The locking problem is a weak door lock actuator, I suggest you lube up the door locking rod at the hinge points. But you may have to replace the actual auctator (Which is not cheap) which is why I suggested lube the locking rod points first.
The door panel will get easier the more times you do it. Ive been behind the panel 4 times in the past two years for various issues. Good luck.
Last edited by Goldcylon; Mar 22, 2009 at 10:53 PM.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Yes the picture is the same Coupe Vs. Vert. Well then you need a new door luck actuator. They run about $80.00
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
'91 Vette Convertible
'06 Dodge Ram 2500 MEGA Cab Diesel
'88 Grand Wagoneer
'66 Mustang
(2) '68 Barracudas
Im pretty sure he could do the job with minimal swearing. Buy him a beer later.
Last edited by Goldcylon; Mar 24, 2009 at 09:26 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
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From: New Egypt NJ
Thanks. If the power locks work pretty good, maybe its not the actuator. IF the viper alarm was NOT in the picture, my car acts normal actually.
(opening/closing with the key).
I was thinking late last night, maybe it is the Viper alarm, (not the alarm itself, just the connection to open and close the doors). The Viper key FOB does not lock the doors, yet it does open the doors. Thats why my vette alarm goes off, cause I didn't use a key. IF the key FOB locked my doors, unlocking would not set if off. At least this is how it worked back in November. Think I should try a Viper Installer?
(opening/closing with the key).
I was thinking late last night, maybe it is the Viper alarm, (not the alarm itself, just the connection to open and close the doors). The Viper key FOB does not lock the doors, yet it does open the doors. Thats why my vette alarm goes off, cause I didn't use a key. IF the key FOB locked my doors, unlocking would not set if off. At least this is how it worked back in November. Think I should try a Viper Installer?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Thanks. If the power locks work pretty good, maybe its not the actuator. IF the viper alarm was NOT in the picture, my car acts normal actually.
(opening/closing with the key).
I was thinking late last night, maybe it is the Viper alarm, (not the alarm itself, just the connection to open and close the doors). The Viper key FOB does not lock the doors, yet it does open the doors. Thats why my vette alarm goes off, cause I didn't use a key. IF the key FOB locked my doors, unlocking would not set if off. At least this is how it worked back in November. Think I should try a Viper Installer?
(opening/closing with the key).
I was thinking late last night, maybe it is the Viper alarm, (not the alarm itself, just the connection to open and close the doors). The Viper key FOB does not lock the doors, yet it does open the doors. Thats why my vette alarm goes off, cause I didn't use a key. IF the key FOB locked my doors, unlocking would not set if off. At least this is how it worked back in November. Think I should try a Viper Installer?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 363
Likes: 8
From: Pikeville KY
Sounds like I have been going through the same problems as you. My 95 took along nap while being repainted. And since it has been back the electrical gremlins have darn near killed me. My car to had a viper alarm that has since been removed. And just got my door pins and will probabally replace in the next few days. I hope that solves my problem. The dealer run the codes on my car and it showed alot to do with the body control module and we think that came from the viper so who knows? best of luck to ya.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
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From: New Egypt NJ
Anything is possible. Im using a viper for remote entry only. I have no alarm tied to it. However if BOTH doors are not able to lock while its possible that both actuators are worn out its unlikely. lock both the doors with the fob to you hear a chime? To you hear the door acutators trying to work or do you hear nothing. My lights flash when I use my fob. SO if thats not happing a problem could be the viper piece
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I'm not sure if the '91 is similar to my '96 in this regard, but on mine there is a screw hidden behind the lock **** - you need to pop off the plastic slider in order to access it. There is also another screw behind the light in the door handle (and it is a little shorter than the others, important to note). You can use a putty knife to carefully pry up on the cover for the light to pop it out. Hope that helps.
Could have used this last night while putting tint on. I had the same problem and thought there might be a screw in the light area but I was too worried about breaking something, as I usually do, and left it alone. I'm happy I know now how to do it.
