How to fix a short circuit?

[bradleyz34]

I locked my keys in my cars a few days back, and the parking lot security used some type of device to force the door open. They slide it into the door and it fills full of air forcing the door open. Since then my power locks have not worked, nor the interior lights on the same circuit. I bought new fuses and they just blow as well. What do i do??? Thanks

[jeffcoslacker]

My standard smart-ass answer:

Put a nail in the fuse slot, and whatever catches fire, that was the problem. Replace that item.

It's odd for that type of break in to damage anything, that's my favorite out of all my lockout tools, that's why I use it, it never hurts anything.

Did they wedge the top of the door frame, or the rear side?

My guess would be they damaged the switch that turns on the interior lights when you open the door somehow, and it's shorting to ground. Did they reach across the car to the opposite door with a long tool, or hit the same lock as the door they were wedging?

I'm assuming they didn't try to J-tool under the window inside of the door or use a slimjim before using the air wedge, right? Because if they were in the door at all, that's where the problem is gonna be....

[bradleyz34]

Well this is how it is. The passenger handle is broke off, like every other lumina on the road. So usually when I lock my keys in, i get in through the passenger door. I just take a screw driver and push the latch down, releasing the door. We tryed that night but it was about 20 degrees and it was too cold to stand there and keep failing. I might have damaged something there tryin to release the door, but i never have before. Then he took his air wedge, put it on the top of the door, and pushed the lock open with a tool. Everything works except anything to do with fuse 6.......Interior light(dome light, mirror light) and powerlocks. I bought new 15 amp fuses and i put it in and it damn near started me on fire. The ignition was on when I put it in, but that shouldnt matter, should it? Im sure the short is inside the door somewhere, the deeperst part where i will have to remove the door, the engine, and possibly the fuel tank, JK

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by bradleyz34

Well this is how it is. The passenger handle is broke off, like every other lumina on the road. So usually when I lock my keys in, i get in through the passenger door. I just take a screw driver and push the latch down, releasing the door. We tryed that night but it was about 20 degrees and it was too cold to stand there and keep failing. I might have damaged something there tryin to release the door, but i never have before. Then he took his air wedge, put it on the top of the door, and pushed the lock open with a tool. Everything works except anything to do with fuse 6.......Interior light(dome light, mirror light) and powerlocks. I bought new 15 amp fuses and i put it in and it damn near started me on fire. The ignition was on when I put it in, but that shouldnt matter, should it? Im sure the short is inside the door somewhere, the deeperst part where i will have to remove the door, the engine, and possibly the fuel tank, JK

Up to 94 Luminas maybe, but since the OP did not mention the year, as usual, this advice may not apply. If he disconnects the harnesses from the lt door control he can isolate whether the problem is in fact in that door.

[bradleyz34]

its a 91 with the crap door handles. so what exactly do i have to do? thanks

[maxwedge]

Do what I said, isolate the short by disconnecting the power locks, especially at the lt door inside pwr lock switch. If that stops the fuse from blowing pull that door apart or the switch may have shorted, I used to burn those p/l switches out on a yearly basis.

[jeffcoslacker]

Most GM's I remember use a 20A courtesy fuse....does it spec 15?

[jeffcoslacker]

Nevermind...still shouldn't blow the fuse that quick...

Maybe a power lock actuator is stuck on?

If you wanna burn up another fuse on an experiment, try holding the lock button on "lock" as you put another fuse in....if it stuck trying to unlock the door, it might jolt it back the other way and clear the jam...until you use it to unlock again...