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2001 Buick Century Brake/Backup/Trunk Not Working
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tcharleschapman
New User
Apr 22, 2017, 1:52 PM
Post #1 of 8
(1571 views)
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2001 Buick Century Brake/Backup/Trunk Not Working
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2001
Buick
Century
3.1 L
94000
Hi All,
A few weeks ago my trunk stopped opening electronically. Whether I press the fob, or the button in the glovebox, the trunk does not open. You can hear something clicking under the dash but no signal is reaching the trunk to open it.
Also, took my buick in to get the oil changed and they pointed out the backup lights are out. Got it home and found that, in addition to the backup lights and the trunk mechanism, my running and brake lights are not working either. You can see this in this photo - http://autoforums.carjunky.com/...ic/342Lv7oj/1174.jpg (photo taken with running lights on and brakes depressed).
My guess is there is a wire snapped somewhere. My questions are:
1) How can I find out what the real problem is? and;
2) Can I fix it myself?
More than willing to take it to my mechanic, but my schedule doesn't play well with others, so if I can do it I would prefer that.
Thanks!
(This post was edited by tcharleschapman on Apr 22, 2017, 1:54 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 22, 2017, 2:22 PM
Post #2 of 8
(1558 views)
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Re: 2001 Buick Century Brake/Backup/Trunk Not Working
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It's just likely all those things share one ground to body wire hidden behind whatever type of trunk liner near wires to bulbs. IDK - stuff in trunk may have bumped or if a bulb replaced was disturbed or even broken. Look for it - should be an insulated wire to a nut on an eyelet end to body metal.
If nothing seen like that or broken you just didn't find it. Quick fix for most mechanics probably while you wait if you explained this all went all at once like that.
Noise is just a relay or some sort confused for trunk release which is a small motor back there,
T
(just looked at pic after posting. Ground must be to body metal that doesn't move not the trunk lid metal parts. Chance where wires run to lid that opens could have been pulled on by something? Same - look for it)
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Apr 22, 2017, 2:26 PM)
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tcharleschapman
New User
Apr 22, 2017, 5:06 PM
Post #3 of 8
(1548 views)
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Re: 2001 Buick Century Brake/Backup/Trunk Not Working
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All right, so you are right, there was a disruption. I found it and I feel embarrassed as it is painfully obvious. See here: http://autoforums.carjunky.com/...ic/342Lv7oj/1175.jpg
Any thoughts on where to start to replace this?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 22, 2017, 10:03 PM
Post #4 of 8
(1526 views)
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Re: 2001 Buick Century Brake/Backup/Trunk Not Working
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OK - The protective outer cover is split as you see and can get that section out. Perhaps follow it to single plug.
Decide what you are comfortable with - nothing that hard just it should be just covered with shrink wrap for wiring, strip back just enough of the wire insulation to kind of braid the two ends together then solder them. After a good solder job slide shrink wrap over the fixed spot and a blow dryer for hair would do should shrink plastic over the fix.
Your call I would also cover the fixed area with electrical tape particularly good stuff marked for temperature range of use like Scotch super 33 or 700 are two - hardware, auto parts stores this is common stuff.
Don't allow those wires to touch each other bare now or while working on it.
If not up to this just show that to a tech would save time in hunting,
T
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tcharleschapman
New User
Apr 23, 2017, 7:33 AM
Post #5 of 8
(1518 views)
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Re: 2001 Buick Century Brake/Backup/Trunk Not Working
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Thanks Tom for everything.
While I was stripping things back the large grey cable fell out. It broke further down in the cover. It doesn't have any wire in it so what is it for?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 23, 2017, 8:38 AM
Post #6 of 8
(1510 views)
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Re: 2001 Buick Century Brake/Backup/Trunk Not Working
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If newer whole harness sections would be available just plug in ends - doubt that.
What's the grew thing for? This is a guess for one spot like that it probably holds a curve (try a bit of it) for how it's routed to stay away and out of harm or moving parts of any hatch or trunk parts.
This becomes important as that's messed up more than expected without some real trauma so probably wasn't staying out of harm's way. That you can figure out with wire ties, wire holders that you drill a hole probably not necessary but help out of the way WHEN you are done.
I see one of those support (shock absorber) looking things there that holds it open. That bunch of wires somehow got squished?
Whatever you do must last and keep that away + tolerate heat and cold plus flexing there. NOT JUST TAPE!
To add to all this if you do this yourself and can if inclined at all. PAY ATTENTION EACH WIRE IS COLORED WITH OR WITHOUT A STRIPE to match up is a must!
Do you have just even a cheap soldering iron and wire strippers? You shouldn't need costly stuff for this but will add up a bit with flux core solder ready to go as well and shrink tube usually comes in assorted sizes in one package.
Home centers, auto parts stores and check out what they have. They even sell that flexible split covering plastic if needed.
One good warning: If and you probably would be soldering in the trunk - protect anything below where you do that so if any drips it doesn't wreck carpet or things inside there take those out. IDK - soaking wet hand towels or whatever just not flammable and put out hot molten solder drips if any.
You do NOT need to go nuts for tools for this. Cheapo iron is only 5-8 bucks. Oddly the stripper tools costs more and I can't find the cheap one anywhere but Harbor Freight stores if you have one they have them. Plain and adjusts for gauge of wire to leave unharmed. Practice on some junk wire if you can and haven't done this before.
Good luck if you do it yourself. Last - it might have blown fuses with a couple wires broken seen in that so if everything doesn't work back to normal we can go from there if just fuse checking didn't solve that,
T
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tcharleschapman
New User
Apr 23, 2017, 9:31 AM
Post #7 of 8
(1502 views)
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Re: 2001 Buick Century Brake/Backup/Trunk Not Working
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Thank you so much! I got it all fixed for very cheap. Everything works.
You are great! I appreciate your help with this project. Keep up the good advice.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 23, 2017, 9:48 AM
Post #8 of 8
(1500 views)
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Re: 2001 Buick Century Brake/Backup/Trunk Not Working
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Glad to hear it. Do still verify it's out of harm's way or it will just happen again.
Locking up thread to keep spammers out and YOU may ask for it to be reopened by any moderator,
Tom
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