Hey guys...

I have replaced both door lock actuators yet still cannot get the power door locks to work. Is their a relay I am missing?

 

How about the switch? have you tested that?

 

Replaced both push button switches on the door panels.

 

Are you getting A good ground to the actuators?

 

Right...That's where my experience ends. What device do I need to buy to test that? This is something I need to know to keep the electrical components of this car working over the years - But I am clueless.

 

You need a DVOM - $20 at radio shack.

And a wiring diagram - free.

 

Great, thanks so much eseibel67. Not sure I know just what the hell to do but I'll start with testing the ground wire at the actuators I guess.

 

You my friend are in luck!! Last night i made a two part video explaining in detail of how to troubleshoot power door lock issues..i also showed exactly where everything is located on the car..also please subscribe to my channel..thanks!! Leave me comments thanks

 

Thanks so much for this, wiring diagram and videos...What more could I ask for?!

I just subscribed to your channel. Thanks again...will let you know when I tackle that project.

 

I watched your first video and man I was so excited, I thought for sure it must be the breaker that's in the fuse box, mine doesn't also control the rear defroster (which works), and I had never checked those breakers, so I replaced them (the store only had 20AMP - mine were 30) - but it didn't do anything. Still nothing.

 

ok..just take my video step by step and follow the path i outlined..get some T-pins to backprobe your connectors and use ur test light on them..good luck .. you'll find the issue, sometimes it takes some time to troubleshoot, especially with electrical gremlins.

 

i replaced my power door lock relay under the kick panel and the door locks moved a bit more but not all the way. New door lock motors, white lithium greased, fuses working, etc. My last resort was to remove and degrease the door latches and regrease them.

 

That was my very first idea for troubleshooting this - after checking the fuse. But I couldn't find anywhere online that sold a door lock relay. Where did you get yours?

 

I will check back to an old post of mine, someone posted it. 1 sec

 

I had a post here about them: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...ocks-wont.html

and more: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...ck-relays.html

and more: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...locks-not.html

I can't find where I got it though.. I'll look through email receipts!

 

Helpful posts, thanks for the info. I get no movement from the new actuators either side using my new push buttons. Fuse and breaker both good so most likely its the relay. I Google 1988 Firebird door lock relay and nothing comes up. Cant find the part anywhere. So am not too confident I will recognize it when I find it underneath the kick panel. It's like a ghost this damn thing.

 

It's under there, the driverside kick panel, you'll see it clear as day.

 

I didn't watch the videos, I'm sure they go through the proper trouble shooting procedure. But after looking at the diagram and hearing the symtoms, the first thing I would check as a shortcut is if the relay is properly grounded to the body with that mounting screw. This one might be able to be fixed for free - with a scrap of sandpaper.

 

Yes i have mapped out everything step by step..if both window actuators are not working then the first thing to do would be to check fuse and circuit breaker..but if those are good then like eseibel67 said..check ur ground to the relay..ground if i remember correctly is also shared by your power mirrors or power seats..if they work then ur ground PROBABLY is ok..then you would check to see if your relay is getting the switch signals and see if the relay is sending out the correct signals..the video details everything out..cant just throw parts at it..you need to troubleshoot

 

hanks for the video and do you have one on wipers not working at all really? At least now I can trouble shoot my locks but im sure its the relay or something else as the fuse works

 

^I will.. not yet, maybe this weekend..i made a power mirror video last night.. you can subscribe to me on youtube to be updated of when i do though (KLOWNY1969)..Thanks

 

Hey Rock Shoe how is your project coming along?

 

I put in power locks last year. Had a similar issue with nothing from the actuators. It's always the little things that kill you. Ended up just being poor connections (grounds). Make sure the tab and screw that ground the relay behind the kick panel is sanded to bare metal. Check the connector and the pins in the harness where they connect to the actuators. Make sure the actuators are cleanly grounded to the door frame. Clean the pins that connect to the door switches. Here is a pic of the complete power lock harness.

 

Thanks for that picture. I just removed my kick panel and I don't see any relay mounted under there like the one in your picture. I assume it's the metal box in the top of your pic. Look at my pictures, I didn't see a relay like that. In fact, I may have all those wires hanging without the relay.

 

You are looking in the wrong area. It is behind the driver side kick panel. That trim where the hood release handle is. Yes the metal looking box in the picture.

 

OH, ok...Ho do you get that thing off?

 

One long Philips head screw holds the panel. Pull the plastic door trim (4 screws I think). Then just pull the panel back and twist it over the hood release handle.

 

Got it off. Let me guess, those two plugs belong in the missing relay, that screws into that hole on the frame.

 

Relay is missing. That is the correct area. There is your problem!

 

Fantastic! Now...Where do I get one? I have looked everywhere, even rockauto.

 

Scratch that, Classic Industries has them...I think...http://www.classicindustries.com/search?q=lock%20relay

 

Ask around on this site, junk yards, eBay, search online. Good luck.

 

Dude..i had everything laid out perfectly in my videos on where everything was and what they looked like...ugghh lol

 

I havent watched video yet, but will. But does it cover all years of third gens? I noticed door lock relay wasn't same for a 85.

 

Here is how the PO did my door locks (before I bought the car).



used I think these actuators:

 

Hey guys...Just waiting on the relay to arrive. Should be here any day.

 

Wow Veaceonee it looks like your actuator was moved from it's stock location (bottom right where the rivet holes are)

 

Replaced relay with one I found on eBay and BOOM...They work like a charm! Thanks everyone for your help.

 

Happy to hear you got it working.

 

Awesome you got it to work!

Btw i like the way that guy wired the actuator lol

 

Hello can someone tell me where I can find the door lock relay I have the metal box looking one I hit the lock and unlock buttons and nothing happens. I did check for power and when I hit the lock button I get power to actuator and same for unlock but for some reason the actuator won't move. I'm guessing the relay went out please help

 

 

Oh yes thank you. I just can't seem to find some were to buy it. When I look for it the relay the auto parts stores give me look different. Mines a silver metal rectangle with five pins. Anyone know where to find that.

 

 

Thanks for posting your video, I subscribed to your channel....gotta work on the upside down videos though, lol...other than that great information...thank you!