@#$* POWER DOOR LOCKS

Okay.....I give up. Can anyone give me some direction on a power lock situation thats going to send me to the nut house. My 79 power locks never worked as long as I've owned the car. I have pulled all wires back from both doors making sure there is no exposed wires. I have checked all plug ends. I bought new switches. Went so far as bypassing the fuse panel to check the system and I keep blowing the 20 amp ctsy. fuse. I was able to get the locks to work with a 30 amp fuse, however in about 10 seconds the wires were getting hot. I think this tells me there is a short in the system....My dome lights work fine. The radio isn't installed.the fuse only blows when I plug in the lock switches. The lighter isn't connected either....Any help would be appreicated.

My 79 was an early production car. is there a chance I should wire it like a 78????

Dan

I had the same problem with my 82. Ric's Parts told me it was the acuator. I changed one on the left and got it working. Make sure your lock mechanism is lubed good. Squirt it with WD40 or something like it. Good luck.

JIMBO822 said: I had the same problem with my 82. Ric's Parts told me it was the acuator. I changed one on the left and got it working. Make sure your lock mechanism is lubed good. Squirt it with WD40 or something like it. Good luck.

I agree check the actuator. They sense the electrical current

The fuse is blowing without the acuators plugged in........

I recommend you get a factory wiring diagram and check the wires to make sure they are connected to the correct terminals. It sounds like you have a dead short. The wiring is somewhat complicated because either switch works both doors. One switch will override the other so that if the passenger tries to lock the doors and the driver tries to unlock the doors at the same time, you don't blow a fuse from the resulting short.

Hey guys, thanks for all the help. I think I've located the problem. I am now in the process of removing my main dash harness. As it turns out there is a short to ground somewhere in the fuse panel. More than likley somewhere in the ctsy/lighter/lock circut. My dome light was working because the bulbs are acting as resistors. In time they would have blown too. I'm new to this electric gig, but was able to bring in an electrical wiz that found the problem. So, it looks like another set back and $800.00 to make it good as new.(Could have bought a C3 that was complete by now, but its been a great learning experience) Any thoughts on harnesses? I undersatnd that Auto Fit is the way to go......Let me know.