help - power door locks dont work
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Teaneck NJ
help - power door locks dont work
I recently bought a 1987 Vette and I notice that neither of the power door locks work. When I press on the switch, they kind of make a clicking noise but won't open or close. On one of them if I push 5 or so times it eventually closes. Both close manually fine. What are the chances that I can get them working if I take the door cover off and try to adjust them? Is there any way to fix them myself without taking them to the dealer and paying big $$$?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 29,937
Likes: 22
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Cruise-In 1-2-3-4-5 Veteran
Re: help - power door locks dont work (tim87)
First, check the three large screws that hold the lock plate to the door - inside the door, where the hatch release and the UAW sticker are.
My locks quit working for a while, and it was because the screws had loosened up.
Next?
My locks quit working for a while, and it was because the screws had loosened up.
Next?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,546
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Re: help - power door locks dont work (tim87)
Check those screws.. If that is not it, try removing the door panel.. I have found with experience, (4 c4s) that sometime the lil pin gets wedge in the door frame on either wires or a lil metal circle thing. Its very hard to explain.. Im assuming the problem is one of these two things since you said if u hit the button several times it eventually unlocks.. :) hope it helps..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: help - power door locks dont work (tim87)
One of the door lock switchs is faulty. The power window switchs are the same as the door lock switchs. You can tell bu looking at the switchs in your car, and is was confirm by many. $5 each from one of those Mid America/Erker(sp) thing. I would buy all four since they won't sell anything less than $20 :rolleyes:. This is correct for 1988, I would assume 87 is the same. Don't know about 1990.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Swansea, IL, USA
Re: help - power door locks dont work (VQT88Vette)
same problem on my 92, I tore down the entire door, and then put it back together and checked clearence all along the way, turns out the plastic piece that you manually push to lock the door, (that connects to the rod) was getting stuck on the foam behind the door pannel, so I cut back the foam and it worked fine... BUT, if I remember correctly an 87 didn't have the foam rattle insulation behind the pannel, so the moral of my post is: just check those little things out, I suggest pulling them off then seeing if they work.
Any questions on pulling apart the door, just ask, I'm now an expert on the locks... Good luck
Any questions on pulling apart the door, just ask, I'm now an expert on the locks... Good luck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Teaneck NJ
Re: help - power door locks dont work (tim87)
I got the drivers side working by putting in a new switch and lubing up the linkage. The drivers side now works from either the drivers side or the passengers side but the passengers side wont do anything - not even click. I havent taken off the passengers door panel so dont know what I'll find there but it obviously cant be the switch since it works the drivers side. Does anyone have any ideas??
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,546
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Re: help - power door locks dont work (tim87)
so there isnt even a click in the passenger door?! hmmm... well i doubt it is the switch.. i wonder if the motor is burn out on that door?! anyone else care to jump in?!
:confused:
:confused:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: help - power door locks dont work (tim87)
Try to test the switch with both doors panel off to see which switch is faulty. My driver side switch was the broken one. Exchange the switchs from driver to pass. to make sure both are OK.
