[A-BodyFan]

I have an '88 Pontiac Safari Wagon.

Recently the power door locks stopped responding. I also notice the interior lights don't come on when I open the doors. Also, the factory radio just plays static while the factory tape player works.

Power windows and seats still work.

Couldn't find any blown fuses at quick check.

Noticed it after car was professionally washed/detailed. Coincidence?

Any ideas? Help!

[cboy]

Do you have a power antenna - and does it still work? I once had a p.a. go bad and it took me days to track it down - caused all kinds of havoc with other circuits. Possibly during the car wash??????? If you do have a p.a. you can eliminate it from the circuitry by pulling the relay (may be tougher than it sounds depending on where the relay might be located).

You might want to double check the fuses. Buy one of those "mixed sizes" box of fuses and start through the box not just pulling and looking at the fuse, but actually replacing each one temporarily with one right from the store. (Occasionally a fuse will have a break that you can't see very well.)
If the store bought fuse does not make a difference, you can replace it with the original and go on to the next fuse in the box.

If your problem was isolated to just the power locks, I would say to open up the switches (usually located in the door arm rest) and clean them all with light sandpaper and then a little alcohol on a Q tip. However, since the interior lights don't come on it sounds like your problem might be upstream from the switches.

Do you have a wiring diagram? This would tell you what all is on the power lock circuit and can help you isolate your problem. If you don't have a diagram, go the to auto zone web site and click through to the repair manual for your year and make. You will find a wiring diagram there.

[T-bucket23]

that car has a bunch of the grounds in a connector under the carpet right by the drivers door. I would check that out. It is a real lousy setup, I have see several with problems there.

[A-BodyFan]

Originally Posted by cboy

Do you have a power antenna - and does it still work? I once had a p.a. go bad and it took me days to track it down - caused all kinds of havoc with other circuits. Possibly during the car wash??????? If you do have a p.a. you can eliminate it from the circuitry by pulling the relay (may be tougher than it sounds depending on where the relay might be located).

Yes, I do have a power antenna, but it has never worked (up and down anyway) Always got good reception though. will have to check into this.

Tbucket-- did not know about this panel. I have had water come in at the kickpanels since I bought the car in Nov. A whole other problem, might be bad weather stripping or possibly a leaking windshield. In either case, the water may have shorted something out at the grounds connection you describe...

[docvette]

Doc here,

A Clue here would be the reception on the radio quit working..

Which would tend to indicate the Coax cable got pulled from the pigtail coming out from the rear of the radio OR an any coupling point along the run.

I would crawl up under the dash and look at the back of the radio, where the Coax cable goes in either the radio or pigtail..see if it is pulled out, carefully. (Don't knock things around under there) ,

And If / When you find that, Look for the nearest harness bundle you can find that is in proximity of the Coax cable, I would just bet Some ham handed Detailer knocked it out cleaning the carper , dash or console..

Doc

[T-bucket23]

The lack of grounds will cause all kinds of havoc. It is the first thing we check now on any GM, especially the Bonnevilles and that body style. Some of the older ones had a similar issue with the grounds bolted to the floor under the seat. it a real marvel of GM engineering. It makes you wonder what they were thinking

[docvette]

Doc here,

Isn't that why It's called General Mystery??

Doc

[T-bucket23]

More like Gereral Misery or as we used to call it Genuine Mickeymouse

[vicrod]

Oh yeah.

Lets go back now folks to the electrical design review meeting for that car when they were about to start production.

"OK staff; The next item on the meeting agenda is... Rust and Corrosion at Ground Bonding Points" ..............................

LOL


vicrod

[A-BodyFan]

I pulled the radio/tape deck out slightly to check out the coax connection. Is in really snug. I could not trace the coax to any place where I could see it or at least see it near to any unplugged or loose wiring harnesses.

Have yet to pull up the carpeting to look under there. Im guessing I will just need to remove the sill plate and kick panel??

Im glad its just General Misery, because overall the car still runs!

[stickchewy21]

Originally Posted by A-BodyFan

I have an '88 Pontiac Safari Wagon.

Recently the power door locks stopped responding. I also notice the interior lights don't come on when I open the doors. Also, the factory radio just plays static while the factory tape player works.

Power windows and seats still work.

Couldn't find any blown fuses at quick check.

Noticed it after car was professionally washed/detailed. Coincidence?

Any ideas? Help!

check the wiring going to the door from the a piller may be broken

[A-BodyFan]

Whoa, what a trip... this post is 5.5 years old, car was sold 3 years ago(?)... Anyhoo, for those who might do a similar search, I believe the problem was that the driver's master switch panel was bad (internally fried). I either got one from a friend or snagged one off of flea-bay, and that did the trick! I don't remember the deal with the radio, I think it magically fixed itself???

[EOD Guy]

I saw that yesterday.......lol....... sometimes it cracks me up

[gonefishin']

Back when before I registered Id come here for searches on some things and I remember hearing of docvette's having passed and was sad to know this even tho I never talked to him or posted back then.

Anyhow I still see hes listed as a modorator and think thats a fine thing to honour him that way cause he was about the best I think but thats just me.