Power locks...'sorta' work
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 7
From: Ft. Myers FL
Power locks...'sorta' work
In my 93, I can't lock or unlock both doors with the button or key fob. The passenger side will UNlock with the key fob, and almost lock via the the switch. The driver's side lock tab on the inside will move a little, but it's more like a little nudge... It's just enough to tell me that there's juice in the system.
So I'm wondering if this stuff just gets gummed up and can be restored with some simple cleaning and lubrication, or do I have to buy some new parts?
I'm going to tear into it soon, I just figured I'd ask first. Thanks!
-Mike
So I'm wondering if this stuff just gets gummed up and can be restored with some simple cleaning and lubrication, or do I have to buy some new parts?
I'm going to tear into it soon, I just figured I'd ask first. Thanks!
-Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 101
From: Decatur, Alabama
MOST likely, like most of C4's the little plastic slide with the red or grey (depending on year) indicator warps over time and gets bound up in the slide mechanism. If you doorpanel has EVER been off on the sticking side, the slide rod going to the slide was bent, almost 100% of the time that happens, Take the door panel off either way, bend the slide rod CAREFULLYto close in to the door, IF you bow the rod, it will be worse than it is now, its kinda of a trial error and is pain, but this is the usual suspect , either way, once the door panel is offer, you can test the lock actuator. its a 15 minute job if you have taken door panel off before and are familiar.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 165
From: Motor City
Pull the door panels off and clean/lube all the moving parts of the lock system. Mine did the same thing, I cleaned it and it's all good now. I was amazed at how much dust build-up was behind the door panels.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 9
From: Fort Knox, KY
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
MOST likely, like most of C4's the little plastic slide with the red or grey (depending on year) indicator warps over time and gets bound up in the slide mechanism. If you doorpanel has EVER been off on the sticking side, the slide rod going to the slide was bent, almost 100% of the time that happens, Take the door panel off either way, bend the slide rod CAREFULLYto close in to the door, IF you bow the rod, it will be worse than it is now, its kinda of a trial error and is pain, but this is the usual suspect , either way, once the door panel is offer, you can test the lock actuator. its a 15 minute job if you have taken door panel off before and are familiar.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
Yuppers. This is almost always the case. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 767
Likes: 1
From: Ponce Inlet FL
MOST likely, like most of C4's the little plastic slide with the red or grey (depending on year) indicator warps over time and gets bound up in the slide mechanism. If you doorpanel has EVER been off on the sticking side, the slide rod going to the slide was bent, almost 100% of the time that happens, Take the door panel off either way, bend the slide rod CAREFULLYto close in to the door, IF you bow the rod, it will be worse than it is now, its kinda of a trial error and is pain, but this is the usual suspect , either way, once the door panel is offer, you can test the lock actuator. its a 15 minute job if you have taken door panel off before and are familiar.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
Good Lock......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 50
From: Westmont Il.
I had the same problem. Cleaning and lubing didn't help.
My solenoids were "tired".
I bent up some new links about 1/4" shorter.
That was about 2 years ago. Locks are still working fine.
My solenoids were "tired".
I bent up some new links about 1/4" shorter.
That was about 2 years ago. Locks are still working fine.
Last edited by Joe B.; Sep 6, 2012 at 09:03 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Goodyear Arizona
And how do the door panels come off? I seem to be stuck ive got all the clips and the screw by the door handle, it looks like there is 1 behind the light but I can't get that Piece out :/ im kinda at a loss right now.
