Hatch stops working when it rains

CUSHY

MEMBER
2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
177,000 MILES

All summer the hatch opens fine. Come winter, it rains for a bit, and the hatch actuator quits working right, and some times will not open at all. It is a water intrusion problem, obviously, I just do not know where. Often, the doors will just lock by themselves. I have had it happen with the keys inside. I can hear the actuators going crazy while I am driving sometimes. Anyone know where the water is getting in?

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 AT 7:32 PM

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
51,506 POSTS

Hello,

It sounds like you have a BCM that is getting wet or stops working when its damp out. Here is the door wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works and the BCM location I would try to find a used one to see what happens. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

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Thursday, October 25th, 2018 AT 5:48 PM

CUSHY

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hi Ken, Thank you.
In the diagram, it appears that the BCM is located behind the dash?
I don't get any water in the cabin of the vehicle, never any water on the floor up front. Could the mechanism at the hatch be getting wet, and causing the BCM up front to malfunction?
FYI, when I put the key in the hatch lock, I can turn it, and hear the door lock and unlock, but when I push the button down to open the hatch, there is no longer any action at all. Usually, I can hear the actuator function, but not anymore. Please let me know your thoughts -
Thanks again,
Cushy

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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 7:51 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
51,506 POSTS

It could be the latch is shorting and back feeding into the BCM I would take the rear hatch apart to see what kind of condition the actuator is in. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

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