Power door locks not working?

2003 SATURN VUE
150,000 MILES • 2.2L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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JEFF HERMAN
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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.
Nov 10, 2024 at 10:55 AM
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STEVE W.
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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.
Nov 10, 2024 at 1:46 PM
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JEFF HERMAN
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Thank you, I won't be able to try until Thursday. Are the grounds connected to a bolt under the seat?
Nov 10, 2024 at 7:23 PM
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JEFF HERMAN
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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.
Nov 10, 2024 at 7:59 PM
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STEVE W.
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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.
Nov 11, 2024 at 5:39 AM
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JEFF HERMAN
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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?
Nov 14, 2024 at 6:22 PM
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STEVE W.
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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.
Nov 14, 2024 at 10:51 PM
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JEFF HERMAN
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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?
Nov 15, 2024 at 7:00 AM
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STEVE W.
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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.
Nov 15, 2024 at 12:23 PM
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JEFF HERMAN
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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.
Nov 20, 2024 at 7:46 PM
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STEVE W.
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Sounds like a plan. Electrical issues can be a real annoying problem.
Nov 21, 2024 at 12:10 AM