90' Z - Power lock feature

[S.hafsmo]

As with all my other early 90s chevy's, the power lock is unable to lock the door. It tries, but fails, and a manual nudge on the lock is necessary. As my other chevys of the period were all just temporary DDs, I've never looked into the cause of this. Though I'm sure several of the Z-registry members have come across, and solved this minor issue. Would these individuals mind sharing their experience?

Sticking mechanics -> lubrication?
Weakened actuator -> due for replacement?
Warped door liner, causing mechanism to stick?

[Roadster]

Had issues with mine over a year ago, I replaced one of the actuators, problem solved.

[S.hafsmo]

Appreciate it. Will order a couple actuators.
Replacing them will be a good opportunity to lubricate the mechanics as well.

Edit: Holy crap they were expensive. :eek:

[Roadster]

How much did you pay for them?
Also a slight PIA to take door panel apart. If you have already done it before, then you know. If not, just take your time and you will be fine.

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[S.hafsmo]

Not as much as I initially thought. they were $98 each from Ecklers, but $59 at Rock Auto.
Totaled $171 incl. shipping and a $40 import charge.

Door panels are always a PIA, but it shouldn't offer to much of a problem. Are they held on by plastic clips? If so, probably a good idea to order some of those as well.

[Roadster]

Yes there are some plastic clips used, not only for the door panel, but also for the wiring harness (different type) that is attached to the metal plate inside of the door. It is always good to have extra clips on hand, just in case.

[BigJohn]

The doors have locks?

[ghlkal]

As with all my other early 90s chevy's, the power lock is unable to lock the door. It tries, but fails, and a manual nudge on the lock is necessary.

Sticking mechanics -> lubrication?



For me, it was cleaning up everything (the connecting rods, etc) and lubricating the mechanism. For a car as old as ours, it makes sense to replace the actuators since you'll be in there anyway.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

The doors have locks?

One of your many responses that cause a smile!
Thanks!
:cheers:
Marty

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

For me, it was cleaning up everything (the connecting rods, etc) and lubricating the mechanism. For a car as old as ours, it makes sense to replace the actuators since you'll be in there anyway.

Dead on correct!
:cheers:
Marty

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Had issues with mine over a year ago, I replaced one of the actuators, problem solved.

Tom,
Helpful again as usual!
:cheers:
Marty

[Roadster]

Tom,
Helpful again as usual!
:cheers:
Marty

I try Marty....:D if I can contribute just a little tip or suggestion here or there along the way then I am happy if it helps someone. It's the least I can do for all of the help and knowledge I have received and learned from the forum...:-D


Here is an image of the inner door wiring harness retainers (they may differ slightly) that you will find when you remove the door panel. As I mentioned before, it would be a good idea to have some extra's just in case.

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/111351594498-0-1/s-l1000.jpg

The round bottom door panel retainers I think I found at the local Lowes in their auto hardware department. And they fit perfect.

And it would be a good idea to have some electrical tape to re-tape some of the harness as you will notice that some of the original tape has come undone...

[S.hafsmo]

Appreciate it, Tom. I'll have to get that stuff from Corvette Central or ebay, as there aren't many useful auto hardware stores scattered around Norway.

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[Roadster]

Appreciate it, Tom. I'll have to get that stuff from Corvette Central or ebay, as there aren't many useful auto hardware stores scattered around Norway.

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No problem....don't know your first name, so I will call you "S"!!!
Ok S, here are some links for you to check out. The one from Classic Industries has the wire harness retainers IIRC that are also used inside our door panels. They are inexpensive here....not saying that you will need them or any other items being shown. But I always like to have some extras on hand as mentioned before.
The second link is from Corvette America, as it has a decent illustration of the door parts for the C4. Although I did not see any wire harness retainers in that pic...

http://www.classicindustries.com/product/1967/camaro/parts/153127.html

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/displaylearnmore.cfm?learnmoreid=304&idlist=304&searchdest=%2Fcf%2Flearnmorelist%2Ecfm%3Fkeyword%3 DK1477%26Search%2BCatalog%2Ex%3D37%26Search%2BCata log%2Ey%3D19&subcategoryid=&searchname=Keyword%3A%20K1477

these are some of the extra items I have on hand...
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p138/SSROADSTER/94%20ZR-1/20170328_155028.jpg (http://s127.photobucket.com/user/SSROADSTER/media/94%20ZR-1/20170328_155028.jpg.html)

This item is from Lowes, but it was not used for the door panel, as mentioned previously. Most likely used for the spoiler or some other trim attachment. Can't remember, should have marked it down...lol, but also good to have some extras....
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p138/SSROADSTER/94%20ZR-1/20170328_153841.jpg (http://s127.photobucket.com/user/SSROADSTER/media/94%20ZR-1/20170328_153841.jpg.html)

Also while you are in there I was going to suggest that this would be a good time to check the window guides. They are listed in the Corvette America illustration, check out #43627 & 43628. But they are only listed for 93-96 C4's, so I would imagine that the earlier C4's did not have this window guide. Not sure on that....but either way, good luck!!!

[S.hafsmo]

I'll look through the parts you mention tomorrow. Thanks again mate, really appreciate your effort. It's always nice to have all the wear/tear parts in hand when working on these things, especially brittle plastic clips.

Are the window guides a typical point of failure/wear?

By the way, S = Steffen

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[Roadster]

I'll look through the parts you mention tomorrow. Thanks again mate, really appreciate your effort. It's always nice to have all the wear/tear parts in hand when working on these things, especially brittle plastic clips.

Are the window guides a typical point of failure/wear?

By the way, S = Steffen

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Steffen, glad to help out....yes the window guides can be a problem. My windows would sometimes hit the rear pillar when going in the up position. Found out from another thread here, that besides an adjustment that may be needed, it could be that the window guide (which is plastic) is cracked or just broke into pieces. That happened on my RS, which I replaced. I think my LS was still ok, but needed window adjustment. But again, I am not sure if 93's and earlier had the window guides as mentioned earlier. You will find out when your in there, or if someone else can answer that!!!

LS window guide...also you can notice the electrical tape that just was coming undone and hanging there due to age....I just cut off the "bad" pieces and re-taped as much of the harness as possible. Trying to remember, the tape may have been so old that I just unraveled it and did a complete re-tape of the harness.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p138/SSROADSTER/IMG_4641.jpg (http://s127.photobucket.com/user/SSROADSTER/media/IMG_4641.jpg.html)