Lock switches getting power how to test if bad

gs195999 · 07-13-2005, 06:14 PM

1993 SL1 power locks stopped working one day. Open manually with key fine.

I'm a newby to electrical work and have a cheap multimeter. I pulled each switch and tested for volts DC. Both had about 7.5 (i can't remember which scale i selected) volts through the wires.

Does this mean they are getting adequate power?
Is the next step to test for resistance of the switch and how is this accomplished with the 3 pin connection, where do i touch the probes?
In some posts it mentioned cleaning the connections could restore their function, what is the suggested method of cleaning them?

I checked all the fuses and they look fine.

Sorry for the simplistic questions. I just don't wanna screw them up more than they already are.

PurdueGuy · 07-13-2005, 06:32 PM

I assume you are having no other electrical problems with the car? Is it only one switch, or is it both power lock switches? If it's both, I doubt the problem is in the switches.

gs195999 · 07-13-2005, 07:15 PM

thanks for the quick response.

no other electrical problems in the car. both switches cause nothing to happen.

PurdueGuy · 07-13-2005, 07:16 PM

First thing I would suspect would be a fuse, but you said you already checked that... I'll have to ponder this a bit. Hopefully someone else will come along with some advice on something else to check in the meantime.