Power door locks not working?

Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 SATURN VUE
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
None of the power locks work and neither does the key fob. A new battery was put in and still nothing. Both passenger and driver side switches have constant power to the orange wire. No ground present at either switch. When I applied ground to the driver's switch still nothing. I tested the switch out of the car and it's good. Rear hatch actuator has no constant power supply or ground. Key will not manually lock the hatch. Wire colors on front switches are red/blue, orange/black, and solid orange. I haven't checked yet for a broken wire near the door jam.
Sunday, November 10th, 2024 AT 10:55 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,021 POSTS
Try this test: Pick either side, jump power from the orange wire on pin 3 to the Red/black wire on pin one. That should lock the doors. Jumper from the orange to the orange/black should unlock. I'll assume you checked the 20-amp power lock fuse as good? If you get nothing in that test and with the rear hatch not working, we will check ground 301. It is the ground for both systems. It is located under the drivers seat in a splice pack. There are a number of ground wires all crimped into a couple eyelets, and they corrode off.
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Sunday, November 10th, 2024 AT 1:46 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 468 POSTS
Thank you, I won't be able to try until Thursday. Are the grounds connected to a bolt under the seat?
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Sunday, November 10th, 2024 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 468 POSTS
Additionally, I'm curious as to the power supply for the actuator on the rear hatch. I believe, if memory serves me, there are 4 wires in the connector.
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Sunday, November 10th, 2024 AT 7:59 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,021 POSTS
Yes, the grounds for that system are all on the same point. There is no power to the rear hatch release until the release is triggered.
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Monday, November 11th, 2024 AT 5:39 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 468 POSTS
Jumping the door switch wires did nothing. I also found no cluster of ground wires under either front seat. Which wire is ground for the door switch or how does it get its ground? Any idea how to open the back hatch if the actuator doesn't work with the key fob and the key won't turn the lock cylinder? It was unlocked but somehow locked itself? Where might I access the wires to the rear actuator and which wire would I supply power to?
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Thursday, November 14th, 2024 AT 6:22 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,021 POSTS
The grounds would be under the carpet in the middle of the chassis and not easy to access. It's why they corrode easily; moisture gets locked in under the padding. The locks use the tan and grey wires. Polarity one-way locks, polarity the other way unlocks.
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Thursday, November 14th, 2024 AT 10:51 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 468 POSTS
Which connection are you referring to with the tan and gray wires? Also do you mean towards the middle under the driver's seat for the ground cluster? Is there a diagram so I know where to start digging?
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Friday, November 15th, 2024 AT 7:00 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,021 POSTS
Tan and grey are the rear locks, you mentioned that it locked itself. Those 2 wires will lock or unlock it depending on polarity. Yes, the ground splice is next to the tunnel under the driver's seat for that ground. Jumping the switches won't do much if the ground is bad, it provides the grounds for the entire system. The relays won't trigger nor with the lock solenoids work without it.
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Friday, November 15th, 2024 AT 12:23 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 468 POSTS
I was able to pull the panel off the rear hatch far enough from inside to unlock it. I'll get back to chasing the grounds after the holiday.
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Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 AT 7:46 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 14,021 POSTS
Sounds like a plan. Electrical issues can be a real annoying problem.
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Thursday, November 21st, 2024 AT 12:10 AM

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