Power Lock not working?

Tiny
TITO PABON
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 BUICK REGAL
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
Several years ago, the key fob only opened the driver's door and the trunk but did not close them, for me it was not a problem because I closed it manually and opened it with the key fob, but the key fob broke. I bought a new one, but I can't program it because the power locks don't work manually. I already checked the fuses and changed the relay under the glove compartment because it clicked, clicked every time you hit it to open and a bell rings when you hit it to close, the actuator were also verified. The BCM sound Clik, Clik, on 3 little relays inside, when push switch to open, and a bell sound when hit to close. Andking the open/close when you put on Parking or Drive also not working.I have the schematics and I checked the continuity and currents and everything is fine, even the switch bulbs turn on. Please I need help because I'm going crazy. I have the entire dash disassembled waiting for someone who can tell me what it could be.. Otherwise I will mount everything backwards and open the doors and the trunk with the key. Only if I could program the new key fob it would be a triumph even if it only works on the driver's door and the trunk. He written in different forums and no one helps me and others want to charge you with a credit card. Please help me.
Saturday, September 9th, 2023 AT 1:49 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,097 POSTS
Hi,

Do the power locks respond when you press the lock button in the vehicle? I ask because there could be several different issues.

For example, there could be an issue with the body control module or the door lock receiver

When you said the relay was clicking, that is normal. It should if it is operating properly. Does the new relay do the same?

I attached the wiring schematic from my manual to make sure it is the same as what you are working with.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Sunday, September 10th, 2023 AT 8:32 PM
Tiny
TITO PABON
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Before anything, thanks for answer and help me:
The schematic is the same as the one I have, I tested the relay I had and it was good, but anyway I put a new original one on it and the clicking continues. But the clicking on the 3 relays inside the BCM. That is normal? Many years ago, the power lock only worked on the driver door (by key fob not inside) and the trunk. For example, when you get out of the car you close it manually and when you return you open it with the key fob and the trunk also opens. But they didn't work inside.. For me it was fine, so I opened the car, the lights came on and that way you knew where I was in a shopping center for example. But the rubber on the key fob broke and I took it to a shop, and it seems that they deprogrammed it.. Then I bought a new original one but I can't program it because the system needs to work.I think the door lock receiver is good because I could open the car and the trunk from quite a distance. If I could programming the new key fob so that it works as before is fine for me. Is there a method that can activate the new remote? Tomorrow I will take a video and show you the problem in real time. Thanks again, JACOBANDNICKOLAS.
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Sunday, September 10th, 2023 AT 9:26 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,097 POSTS
Hi,

Here is a link that explains how to reprogram a GM key fob. Try this and let me know if it helps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-re-program-a-key-remote-fob

Let me know.

Take care,

joe
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Sunday, September 10th, 2023 AT 10:03 PM
Tiny
TITO PABON
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Okay, I will try tomorrow. Is too late.
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Monday, September 11th, 2023 AT 12:46 AM
Tiny
TITO PABON
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi, none of the alternatives worked. One of them, the first, I had already tried. There must be a way to enter the code of the new key fob into the system or some digital meter that reads the frequency when you press the remote. I couldn't make the video because it was raining all day due to the effects of Hurricane Lee and the car is on the street. I'll do it tomorrow.
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Monday, September 11th, 2023 AT 7:09 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,453 POSTS
I would check the system grounds and the wiring through the driver's door, I have seen it break there before. Use this guide and the wiring diagrams above to check the wiring if everything is okay, I would replace the BCM, you can get a preprogrammed unit by searching Google or Ebay.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, September 12th, 2023 AT 9:45 AM
Tiny
TITO PABON
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thanks for the info but I already did that, I even changed the relay for a new original one.I also took out the BCM and checked the welds in case there were any loose ones. Anyway I'm going to do the check again with the schematic.. That's why I wanted to share the problem in case someone has the same problem. I want to be sure before changing the BCM.
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Wednesday, September 13th, 2023 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,453 POSTS
Yep, sounds good let us know what happens.
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Thursday, September 14th, 2023 AT 9:59 AM
Tiny
TITO PABON
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi, I finally checked everything and it's still the same. Everything has power, but it only works on one side. I made a video so you can see the problem. Now it works the other way around. It closes when you press the open button and The bell rings on the other side. In the video you can open the driver's door, but it does the same thing on the passenger door, even when you put the gear in park it also closes instead of opening.I'm going crazy..
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Friday, September 15th, 2023 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,453 POSTS
Thanks for the video. If you have checked the wiring connections and the grounds, I would replace the BCM. But you might want to unplug the lock actuator that is not working correctly to see if that changes anything. It may be shorted out causing the issue.
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Monday, September 18th, 2023 AT 10:27 AM
Tiny
TITO PABON
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Okay, I will and let you know. Where is the lock actuator?
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Monday, September 18th, 2023 AT 3:05 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,097 POSTS
Hi,

As far as the actuator is concerned, it is behind the door panel. You'll see an electric actuator with a linkage going to the latch assembly.

Let me know how things work out for you.

Joe
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Tuesday, September 19th, 2023 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
TITO PABON
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi, yes, I know where they are, the one on the driver's door is working and the passenger door is working, I dismantled the panel to check if it had power when you press the switch and confirmed that there is power. What I have noticed Since I disconnected it to test, it now works in reverse and that passenger actuator activates but does not close completely as if without force. I have not checked the rear doors because they do not have a switch in the doors, they work with the driver's switch. I wouldn't want to have to dismantle the passenger panel again. That's a problem and the tar from the protective plastic sticks everywhere, I had already assembled and cleaned it and the glove box and all that wiring with the cover and Your passenger side floor light bulb. Now. I have to assemble all the cables and the BCM in place. If it doesn't work I will have to continue opening with the key as well as the trunk. I keep checking to see if I can find something that is causing it to work in reverse. Now I have a danger and that is that when you get to a gas station or any business, put the gear in Park, the car will stall and I'm afraid that if I leave it caught in this heat, when I close the door it activates and locks on. I tell you I'm going crazy.
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Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 AT 12:59 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,097 POSTS
Hi,

The idea that the actuator works in reverse since you disconnected it makes me think that somehow, you switched the wiring to it. Have you double-checked the connector to ensure it is properly installed? If it was installed 180 degrees off, this can happen.

Joe
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Thursday, September 21st, 2023 AT 5:53 PM
Tiny
TITO PABON
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi, I thought the same thing, the problem is that I already installed the lower part of the dash with all the wiring in place and the glove drawers, I also installed the passenger door cover with all the switches and the pressure buttons that hold it, most of them were bent or broke, but I have a box, then I cleaned it to remove the tar that sticks to it from the water protective plastic. It would hurt a lot to take it out again but yes, I have no choice because. I disconnected the actuator of that door to test if power was coming and upon confirming it, I reconnected them. It could be that I connected them backwards but I don't think so because it seems to me that it is a one position plug. But the truth is that it didn't do anything and since I checked that it started working backwards. Now I have a problem And every time I park and put the car in Parking, it closes. I'll see if I come back on Saturday and take it apart. Thanks Joe for your interest in help me with this trouble shooting.
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Friday, September 22nd, 2023 AT 2:23 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,097 POSTS
Hi,

No problem whatsoever. For the actuator to work in reverse, something has changed the polarity to it. That is the only thing that makes sense to me.

It may be other things. I agree with you that the connector should only go in one direction, but anything is possible. LOL

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, September 22nd, 2023 AT 1:12 PM

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