Guys maybe you can help me with my problem. When I bought my '96 Z it had busted central lock switches in the doors and I was given keys only, no remote keyfob.

My repair process was to change first the door lock buttons (with OEM GM parts) to see if the door solenoids were in good condition, which they are, they operate the door locks with a healthy clunk. When the door lock button was pressed and you close the door, the factory alarm arms, perfectly normal.

Then I bought a new remote keyfob (factory 3 button type) and programmed it, worked perfectly. one touch and driver door unlocks and alarm disarms. 2 clicks and passenger door unlocks, and the 3rd. button unlocks the hatch. The lock button closes everything and arms the alarm, perfect so far. I replaced the rear courtesy light which was missing (with the correct type and amp rating). My courtesy lights were dimming when I close the door and turn on when I open it, everything perfect so far, like a new Camaro, I was so happy!


Now the problem:

3 -4 days after finishing this and having everything operate perfectly, the keyfob unlock button flashes the turn signals and disarms the alarm, but the door solenoids do not operate. locking button on the remote arms the alarm but does not lock the solenoids.
Not even the new door lock buttons on the doors operate the locks... and at the same time all the courtesy lights (the 2 under the mirror and the rear one) do not work. I checked all the fuses and the 20 amp courtesy lamp one was blown, so I replaced it with a new one. I checked ALL the other fuses on the side of the dash, everything else was OK and with the correct Amp rating.

The courtesy lamps still do not work with a new fuse, not even with the light dimmer switch clicking all the way up. I can't lock or unlock the doors withe the remote or the door buttons, only by manually sliding the locks or using a key on the outside. And... there is a clicking noise (every 10 seconds, like a relay) under the glovebox area. What the heck is going on?? what do I need to check? The Haynes manual does not mention anything, nor does the owners manual.

I don't think it is due to programming of the keyfob? that would not make the interior lights inoperable. If the keyfob battery was bad, it would not arm or disarm the alarm, and the car would not make the clicking noise under the dash. The solenoids are ok, so definitely they are not getting current. Is there a relay that feeds the remote module under the dash? Will this clicking thing run my battery down?

Any ideas?? it's so frustrating, even a Cobalt has working central lock and courtesy lights...

Thanks everybody for your help!

 

I would guess that there was an aftermarket alarm or keyless that was removed maybe not entirely or connection werent taped up. the door pin, dome light power door locks, key fob, factory alarm are all tied together so one grounded wire could cause it

 

The car has not been tampered with... it even has the OEM Bose stereo (which works perfectly).

It's not the door pins, because the lights were turning on and off when opening or closing the doors. Now that the lights don't work, the radio still turns off automatically when I open the door after removing the key.

The clicking noise remains, I found out its the BCM but now I have a lot more questions about it!

Sometimes this malfunctioning gizmos make me wish I could go back to my '78 Z28 with 350, carb, 4 speed and no electronics. It got the same fuel mileage anyway!

 

does the clicking sound only happen when you manually unlock the door or when you use the key fob, and for how long, does it stop if turn ignition on? The relays for the power door locks are right there in upper pass. kick for 98-02 and I think on or next to bcm for pre 98. Its possible that it is a computer failure but for the domelight fuse to blow it just sounds more like there is a short somewhere.