Our second car is an old Saturn SL2. A few years ago, the power locks started freaking out, clicking open and closed even when the car wasn’t running. Of course, this killed the car before we were able to get it to the mechanic. I guess it drained the battery, I have no knowledge of cars. Our old mechanic “fixed” it and it’s been fine, until fast forward and it started again the other day. I went out this morning and it’s dead, not making a sound. So, my question, can our new mechanic simply disable the power locks, I don’t care about it being fixed, the car is old, and what might we be looking at as an estimate, I don’t know what he may have to pull apart to do this.
Check the fuse box. It looks like on your car there’s a 30 amp breaker that you should be able to pull to shut off the power locks. Unfortunately, it also appears to shut off the rear defogger.
I’d imagine you could just pull the fuse. Looks like #12.
I had a BMW that started doing this. (2000 323i) Not while sitting there, but driving down the road the doors would lock or unlock by themselves (in the days before auto-ock at 10mph). In the end they had to replace the computer module. The fix may cost more than you care to spend…
Exactly, it’s not worth putting the $ into it.
Thanks all, this was helpful!
Quick idea: If all else fails and you have an hour or so you can just take the inner panel of the car door off (should be about 6-8 hex bolts about 10-13mm) with a small socket or hex screwdriver. Take it off and disconnect the little wiring harness/connector from the door lock actuator. Costs nothing.
After a bit more research, it seems this is a common problem with Saturns and it probably isn’t just the fuse. It’s not a major repair, but not as simple as I thought. Again, thanks for the good info!
You did say what year, so I assumed a 2000. It may just be the relay (looks like a big fuse). It should be either under the dash by the floor on the passenger side or on the side of the dash there will be a fuse box panel that opens up. Pop out the old one and install a new one. It may look something like this http://www.fixya.com/uploads/images/842A067.jpg if next to the dash.
The part itself costs about $2 plus shipping. Here
Of course that is if you want to give it a shot yourself.
Hope it all works out for you!