My power door locks are not working. I'm an amateur and don't know where to start to find out whats wrong. Any help would be great. Thanks

Check for a blown fuse first with a test light. I believe it is the courtesy/clock fuse. Not sure I don't have my diagram here. 

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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

Not sure of its a similar set up to the 79, but I had a circuit breaker for the power locks on the fuse panel. The internals were nothing but oxidized dust. Replaced it and the windows came back to life. Looks like a large silver fuse.

|UPDATED|1/31/2016 5:02:45 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Mine quit every decade or so.  Pull the door panel loose.  Disconnect the 3 pinned connector going to the backside of the lock button with a thin flat screwdriver to pry it free.  Mine gets green stuff on the pins clean up the connectors, push it back together and try them.   

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On my 80 when the passengers side switch Is bad the drivers side won't work either. I chased this problem for a while. Everything was brand new switches pig tails etc. Didn't take long the drivers side stopped working so I thought. There wasn't anything wrong on the drivers side. Then I changed passengers switch for shits and giggles and the drivers side worked. The alarm systems are different on the 80 and 81. My alarm sets from drivers side only so that could be why the passengers side switch powers the drivers side. The 81 the alarm is armed from both passenger and drivers side.

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I forgot to mention that you can buy the GM switches at your local parts store.

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My alarm system is disabled. Would that affect the door locks?

I don't think it will. It was information to let you know your power door locks might be wired different then mine. Start with the suggestion Sarge made checking fuse first. If it is not the fuse when you take off the door panels the problem might be obvious. The pig tail connection the attaches to back of switch is a poor design. My drivers side pig tail was all corroded and passengers side fell apart. Take plenty of pictures when you take things apart. Because when you try to put it together you won't remember!!

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Thank you for the info.

After you check for power and wiring ok. (If) ok. All my linkage needed lubed up from the actuator to the door Handel.

Also after you clean up the connectors,put diodletric grease on them and they should not turn Green or corrode.