Cadillac Repair: 92 fleetwood dead electrical, fuse blocks, wireing diagram

Question
I bought the car today, one of the ground wires from the battery to frame had fell off. I cannot believe the deal I just got. The problem now is she could not find the trunk key. I have always drove fords and with fords the ignition key also opens the door locks. Well I was not thinking and locked the doors tonight. I have found out that the trunk key also unlocks the doors. Question is I have a slim jim but not sure how the lock linkage and rods are setup on this car. Any help would be great

91 Sendan De Ville, 4.9 FWD
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-----Question-----
I am looking to buy a 92 fleetwood excellent condition $100.

There is absolutly no pwoer to anything except when you crank the engine it starts, when you release the key it dies.

what do you think.
-----Answer-----
Hi Darryl,

      It would help to know if this is a FWD or RWD Fleetwood, then I could be more specific.

      Whenever you have an electrical problem the first place you need to go are the fuses and there could be at least 2 fuse blocks. With the key in the on position check for power with a test light or voltmeter on all the fuses and replace any that are open. If there are some fuses that don't have power you will need to use a wireing diagram and see where the power comes from. Sometimes it is from the battery through fuse links and othere times from the ignition switch. Replace the faulty part or parts.

      From what you descibe I would pay particular attention to the ignition switch when testing because it might be misadjusted or defective and that is why the engine dies when the key is released. If you have an airbag in the steering wheel it would be best to disable it useing the procedure in the shop manual.

     Good luck and let me know if I can be anymore help. Bill  

Answer
Hi Darryl,

       I'm sure you have already tried all the doors to see if by chance one of them didn't lock right?

       If this was a FWD/front wheel drive car the slim jim might not be of much help because there is a braceing near the linkages and you would need a coathanger type tool that is sold in the special kit to get around it to open the door.

       If it is a RWD/rear wheel drive then useing a coathanger around the door frame might be easier.


       To use the slim jim place it between the glass and the weatherstrip near the door handle area. Move it down into the door aproximately 12" and pull up gently. What you are trying to do is catch the linkage and pull up. If you can see the door handle or door lock button move then you are in the right area and can pull up harder...if you are on the wrong linkage then things will get damaged in there. That is why some mechanics will tell their wives to have someone break a door glass and not use a slim jim because the glass can be easier to replace than trying to repair bent/broken linkage. Most times you will need to bend the slim jim in order to get the right angle to access the linkage.

     One other suggestion I have is to try calling the dealer parts department...some are open on saturdays...and have keys cut from the key codes that they have on the computor records from the factory. Since you just bought the car when the parts guy looks up the owner name from the VIN number he might not cut you the keys unless the lady calls in and maybe you can pick them up.

       Hopefully one of those ideas will help. Bill