1999 Chevy Corvette Dead driver door controls

1999 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
39,000 MILES • V8 • 2WD • MANUAL
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VB.O.B.
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My 99 coupe, driver door control panel goes dead most of the time, but not always. This affects windows, locks, auto adjust seat, etc. When I open the door, it sometimes comes back to life, but usually dies again when I shut the door.
Also, sometimes all the alarms will start scrolling like "Reduced Engine Power" and every other possible alarm. (the car stays running perfectly). At this time three guages peg - FUEL, OIL PSI, ENGINE TEMP. If I turn off the engine & restart, the alarms go away, at least for a while. These alarms are also affected by opening the door. Both of these symptoms started the same day. Could it be a broken wire in a harness that runs through the door? The local Chevrolet dealer's mechanic seems to not have heard of this problem. Thanks for any help.
P.S.: I don't know if it matters, but up here in the Frozen North, the car sits in an unheated garage for 6 months every winter.
Mar 4, 2010 at 9:14 PM
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CARADIODOC
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You hit the classic symptom. It changes when opening the door. To say they've never heard of this is ridiculous. Maybe the service advisor hasn't, but every mechanic has.

Peel the rubber boot back and you'll see the frayed and broken wires. There will be more getting ready to break.

caradiodoc
Mar 4, 2010 at 11:54 PM