1997 Blazer - Power Locks/Power Seat/Dome Lights

[blazera]

Okay, I'm a newcomer to the boards and I couldn't find this problem with a forum search, so here goes.

First off, I've had this problem happen intermittently the last 4-5 years or so. I've taken my '97 Blazer to the dealer each time, and except for one time, the problem could not be duplicated. Needless to say, the cause of the problem couldn't be found each time because of the intermittent nature of it.

Now, here's what's happening. (Apologies if I'm a bit long with it.) I'll start the car from a cold start (either first thing in the AM, after work, or being at the store for even a few minutes). I'll go ahead and drive off. Shortly after that, perhaps about 1/4 - 1/2 mile or so, the following items no longer work:
1. Power lock mechanisms
2. Power seat mechanism (including power lumbar) on the driver's side

In addition, the dome light will light up every once in a while. Sometimes a bright light; other times, a dim light. A couple of times, the power windows didn't work, either. (They seem to be OK this time around.) Battery level seems to be OK, according to the gauge.

When I stop the car and shut off the engine, I still can't use my power locks or seat. Opening the door will produce a bright light from the dome, though there have been times that I've noticed it to be dim and/or flickering. One time at night, I noticed that the dome light wouldn't go off at all (it usually goes off by itself in a minute or so) until I opened the door and closed it.

Say I have a 5-minute stop somewhere. I'll use the remote to open up the car. Power locks work, and power seat works. I'll start the car. Nothing wrong right away. I go a short distance, and the problems reappear.

Unfortunately (or fortunately), there comes a time when the problems disappear. Sometimes for a week; other times for a year (this was the case until the problems reappeared over this past weekend).

Obviously, an electrical problem is at fault, but where? Do I have a bad ground? (I suspect this to be the case.) Bad cable perhaps? Since this has gone to a dealer a few times (I'll try a different dealer this time), do I have any recourse from GM or a state consumer law? (CA, in this case.) I'm the original owner at 185K+ miles, and long since out of warranty, but I first noticed this problem at about 60K, I think.

Thanks in advance! I look forward to what you all have to say, besides getting rid of the car.

[ponchonutty]

Check the wires inside the door jamb. Very common for them to break over a period of time. Check that first.

[Fractured1]

I would check the orange wire under the dash by the gas pedle, they go to you seat..check them for voltage there and then under the seat at the connections..they break down and may need to be spliced with new wire, you'll notice a big voltage drop

[firebrd01]

hi, i have the same problem with my 97 blazer, have you taken your blazer in to see what is wrong, if you have didthey tell you what it is, and could u let me know. thanks a million

Originally Posted by blazera

Okay, I'm a newcomer to the boards and I couldn't find this problem with a forum search, so here goes.

First off, I've had this problem happen intermittently the last 4-5 years or so. I've taken my '97 Blazer to the dealer each time, and except for one time, the problem could not be duplicated. Needless to say, the cause of the problem couldn't be found each time because of the intermittent nature of it.

Now, here's what's happening. (Apologies if I'm a bit long with it.) I'll start the car from a cold start (either first thing in the AM, after work, or being at the store for even a few minutes). I'll go ahead and drive off. Shortly after that, perhaps about 1/4 - 1/2 mile or so, the following items no longer work:
1. Power lock mechanisms
2. Power seat mechanism (including power lumbar) on the driver's side

In addition, the dome light will light up every once in a while. Sometimes a bright light; other times, a dim light. A couple of times, the power windows didn't work, either. (They seem to be OK this time around.) Battery level seems to be OK, according to the gauge.

When I stop the car and shut off the engine, I still can't use my power locks or seat. Opening the door will produce a bright light from the dome, though there have been times that I've noticed it to be dim and/or flickering. One time at night, I noticed that the dome light wouldn't go off at all (it usually goes off by itself in a minute or so) until I opened the door and closed it.

Say I have a 5-minute stop somewhere. I'll use the remote to open up the car. Power locks work, and power seat works. I'll start the car. Nothing wrong right away. I go a short distance, and the problems reappear.

Unfortunately (or fortunately), there comes a time when the problems disappear. Sometimes for a week; other times for a year (this was the case until the problems reappeared over this past weekend).

Obviously, an electrical problem is at fault, but where? Do I have a bad ground? (I suspect this to be the case.) Bad cable perhaps? Since this has gone to a dealer a few times (I'll try a different dealer this time), do I have any recourse from GM or a state consumer law? (CA, in this case.) I'm the original owner at 185K+ miles, and long since out of warranty, but I first noticed this problem at about 60K, I think.

Thanks in advance! I look forward to what you all have to say, besides getting rid of the car.

[htsob]

This sounds like a similar problem I had with my 97. The short was in the harness that is located under or I should say in the driver seat. The power lumbar harness is pulled very tight under the seat and the seat guide rails shorted through the harness causing all kinds of electrical issues. Remove the four fasteners holding down the driver seat and disconnect the two harness and you can remove the seat. Inspect the harnesses under the seat and I bet you will find your short. The orange power wire that feeds the power lumbar also feeds the power seat, door locks, power windows, etc.

[firebrd01]

Originally Posted by htsob

This sounds like a similar problem I had with my 97. The short was in the harness that is located under or I should say in the driver seat. The power lumbar harness is pulled very tight under the seat and the seat guide rails shorted through the harness causing all kinds of electrical issues. Remove the four fasteners holding down the driver seat and disconnect the two harness and you can remove the seat. Inspect the harnesses under the seat and I bet you will find your short. The orange power wire that feeds the power lumbar also feeds the power seat, door locks, power windows, etc.

thank you verymuch for the information, i will look at it this weekend or next weekend. i will keep you posted on what i find out,, again thank you very much, now i can relax a lil bit...

[firebrd01]

Originally Posted by htsob

This sounds like a similar problem I had with my 97. The short was in the harness that is located under or I should say in the driver seat. The power lumbar harness is pulled very tight under the seat and the seat guide rails shorted through the harness causing all kinds of electrical issues. Remove the four fasteners holding down the driver seat and disconnect the two harness and you can remove the seat. Inspect the harnesses under the seat and I bet you will find your short. The orange power wire that feeds the power lumbar also feeds the power seat, door locks, power windows, etc.

well u were right i found the short exactly where you said it was and now it works great. thanks alot for the info