Car Horn Beeps 3 times after trying to lock with remote

DIGGER110

MEMBER
2002 SATURN SL2
156,000 MILES

This just started recently- like today; never any problem before. Tried locking the car with remote after stopping and the horn sounds 3 times and nothing happens with door locks (normal operation is hit the lock button on remote, locks operate and horn sounds once). Trunk release also does not work with remote. Inside door locks are not functioning but all other inside electric are working fine (windows, instrument panel, etc). Car does start, everything else seems to be normal. Checked manual and it states that the door locks are on a circuit breaker that should automatically reset after the problem is cleared but obviously this has not happened or isn't the problem. Before I go absolutely bananas checking for a short somewhere in the system, is there a fuse in either fuse panel (engine compartment or passenger side) that can be replaced to solve this problem? Thanks for any help you can provide on this problem. Car is really a champ and would hate to start thinking about replacing it because of a simple problem.

Monday, June 18th, 2012 AT 9:32 PM

3 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

In the inside fuse box check the 20amp fuse labeled locks also check the 10amp fuse labeled body. With the key in the run position in the run position you should have power to both sides of the fuses. Let me know what you find.

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Tuesday, June 19th, 2012 AT 12:03 AM

DIGGER110

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks for the response. The Chilton manual was very unclear on this issue, and although I am an electrician, I'm not a car mechanic. Your electrics are not impossible to understand, just takes a different thought process and a lot of investigation and patience for problem solving.
That being said, after posting the question and while waiting for a response, I went in to the interior fuse block and started checking fuses. Came to find out that the lighter/power fuse was no good and the body fuse was also out. I know there are spares in the engine compartment fuse block, but like to keep those there in case I'm on the road and something goes that absolutely needs to be replaced now to keep going. So off to the parts store I went, bought 5 each 20a and 10a fuses, replaced bad ones, problem solved.
Thanks for the quick response and the spot on problem solving. Any questions in the future I'll be sure to come back and also to recommend you to other back yard mechanics.

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Friday, June 22nd, 2012 AT 1:23 AM

SATURNTECH9