Topic: Power Door Locks
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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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.
If the fuse is good then your going to have to remove the door panel and check for power at the switch. (Start with the drivers side door since that gets the most use.)
If there is no power at the switch, start looking for a broken wire. If there is power at the switch then operate the switch to see if power is going out to the power lock actuator. If not you'll have to replace or repair the switch. If you do have power going out to the actuator, then it is probably a bad actuator.
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
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Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
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Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
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|
Good luck.
Paul
|UPDATED|1/31/2016 5:02:45 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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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. 
Only 34 years together
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.
I forgot to mention that you can buy the GM switches at your local parts store.
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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After you check for power and wiring ok. (If) ok. All my linkage needed lubed up from the actuator to the door Handel.
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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