Power Locks problem

[craig32]

I recently purchased an 81 Corvette in need of some minor repairs. Among them, the power door lock plug on the driver's door was cut off and the wires were taped fast to the door. I purchased the repair harness, but the colors are of course different. Apparently I somehow activated the alarm by moving the wires and it went off when I closed the door, sending me diving back into the car to pull fuses! If anyone can enlighten me as to which wires go where on the new plug, I'll be greatful. Thanks!


Craig

 

[bill81vette]

my vette is at the body shop being repaired and painted,if i get a chance this week I'll go up and look B/C mine needs to be replaced as well


bill

 

[bill81vette]

craig...the orange and gray wires (the 2 on the one side)go to each of their respective colors...heres the other side...purple to black...tan to tan and pink to blue.


hope this helps
bill

 

[craig32]

Hey Bill,
Thanks very much, I owe you one! I finally got time to wire it in and the driver's side works fine, but the passenger's side locks but doesn't unlock. A quick trip to Advance Auto for a new switch is on the way. Thanks again for your help, one more thing crossed off the 'to do' list!

Craig

 

[bill81vette]

glad to help bill

 

[Chris Kennedy]

The power door locks on these cars are terrible (they often don't fully engage and disengage, and in the rain when things get wet inside the door it can be so hard to unlock the door from the outside with the key that you risk breaking the key), and totally unnecessary in a car with two doors and this narrow inside (you can reach over and lock/unlock the door). It is far better, and safer, to disconnect the motor that operates the locks from the mechanism (it takes two minutes). With this done, the locks work reliably and smoothly manually with little effort. This is much easier and, especially, safer, if you need to get out of the car in a hurry because of a wreck. In this regard, I had those optional aftermarket t-top locks, which are very poorly made, and removed them for the same reason--you may need to get out of the car in a hurry, and they could make it much more difficult. It's better to risk the top being stolen than to risk your safety.

--Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[Nut]

Chris.....Interesting option disconnecting the lock servo's. My drivers side door lock is a bear to turn to open, especially the colder it gets. Part of my winter project was to pull the door skins and lube up everything. I'm thinking now this is a moot point if it's the servo motors hanging up the locking mechanism. Hmmm. I'm going to have to ponder this awhile more.

Thanks.............. Nut

 

[Chris Kennedy]

I think you will find that disconnecting the servo motor is a simple, costless and GREAT idea---while, obviously, I like everything to work on the car, there is absolutely no need for power door locks in our cars as there are only two doors and you can easily reach the passenger door lock from the driver's seat. I think the problem is, basically, that the system is badly designed. To disconnect the lock motor simply take off the door panel, and stick a long flat screwdriver into the interconnect between the rod from the servo to a plastic bushing that connects servo to locking mechanism and twist the screwdriver. The rod comes out, and the lock/unlock mechanism and push/pull knob inside works easily and smoothly independant of the servo, and the key lock works normally, too. You can reconnect the thing later if you want. I can't be the only person who has hated the power locks and had the same problems you have in cold weather, wet weather etc. The doors would seldom fully lock or unlock, and I always worried about getting locked in the car or breaking the key to unlock the system. Before I disconnected the servo, sometimes I had to push the unlock switch and pull the knob at the same time! When I solved the problem, the fact that the lock worked so easily and normally made the whole car feel better.

--Chris Kennedy

 

[Sensei]

I had the same "about to break off the key" problem and did the same thing (disconected the servos). While I too like everything to work, it sure is a pleasure to have effortless, reliable door locks!

 

[mikejpss]

I had the same "about to break off the key" problem and did the same thing (disconected the servos). While I too like everything to work, it sure is a pleasure to have effortless, reliable door locks!

Thought I was the only one that did this. The pass. side works great, but I disconnected the drivers door some time ago . Now when I get out the car, I use the switch to lock the passenger side, close the drivers door and use the key to lock it. Both servos still operate and can be reconnected if -GOD FORBIDS- I decide to sell her. (Not in this lifetime).

 

[81' Corvette Guy]

Probably just a good cleaning and lubing up of the internal rods and locking mechinism is all that is needed to free up the 24 year gunk..and putting a new coating of lithium grease will do wonders! Joe!

 

[91-Vetteman]

1981 Auto Locks

I am glad I read these string of posts today. With temps in the low 40s this weekend I am not going to be able to play golf, so I planned a full weekend dedicated to working on my Vette (and watching the Daytona 500). I pulled my door skins off to replace exterior door handles and locks about 3 weeks ago. When I pulled off the interior door skins, I noticed the power door lock wires were disconnected and taped up. I dug up a wiring diagram and was going to troubleshoot and get them working again. Not now !! I appreciate the heads up !! John

 

[91-Vetteman]

Shift Plate Replacement - No Auto Lock Switch Notch?

I just had a another thought regarding the power door locks. Another one of my winter projects is to replace the shift plate, boot, ash tray assembly bezel. If the recommendation is to deactivate the auto door locks, would you buy the replacement shift plate without the 2 notches for the auto-lock switches ?? I would appreciate everyone's opinion on this !!

As an FYI, any original parts that I do pull off of my Vette, I am sticking in a box in the attic.

 

[craig32]

shift plate replacement

81 Vetteman,
The notches in the shift plate are for the windows, the power locks are in the doors. BTW, mine work fine after I wired in the new pigtail and replaced the other switch. (it seems none of the things I've repaired so far were just one item) The power locks also activate the alarm system, if that matters. Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Craig

 

[91-Vetteman]

Auto Door Locks

Duh !! :duh Nevermind !! Thanx Craig !!