Power Locks: Description and Operation

HANDLES, LOCKS, LATCHES AND ENTRY SYSTEMS

The hood consists of the following components:
- hood latch striker
- hood latch
- hood latch release handle assembly

The front and rear doors consist of the following components:
- door lock control switch (front doors only)
- exterior door handle
- interior door handle
- driver door lock cylinder
- door latches, which may consist of the following components:
- door ajar switch
- door lock actuator
- door lock cylinder switch

The liftgate consists of the following components:
- liftgate door lock actuator
- liftgate window glass
- liftgate window latch/ajar switch
- liftgate window glass release handle
- liftgate latch remote control which consists of the following component:
- liftgate release handle
- liftgate latch, which consists of the following component:
- liftgate latch door ajar switch

The power door locks can be actuated by the door lock cylinder. The door lock cylinder switch is an internal part of the door latch. Turning the lock cylinder to the lock position will lock all doors. Turning the lock cylinder to the unlock position will unlock the driver door. If the lock cylinder is turned again to the unlock position within three seconds, all doors will unlock.

The driver door lock switch and the front passenger door lock switch are illuminated.

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

Power Door Locks
The generic electronic module (GEM) controls the power door lock and keyless entry system. Lock and unlock operation is achieved through the use of internal relays in the GEM. The relays are all door lock, all door unlock and driver door unlock. The normal path of the relays is to ground.

Pressing the door lock control switch to lock or unlock sends a ground signal to the GEM. The same GEM pin is used for unlock and lock input. The unlock signal is a direct connection to ground. The lock signal is altered by an internal resistor in the door lock control switch. This varied resistance identifies lock or unlock command to the GEM.

The door locks can also be controlled by the door key cylinder switch. Turning the door lock cylinder to the lock position sends a ground signal to the GEM. The GEM will then ground the all door lock relay supplying voltage to the actuators. Turning the door lock cylinder to unlock sends a ground signal to GEM. The GEM will ground the driver door unlock relay and supply voltage to only the driver door lock actuator. If a second unlock ground is received within three seconds of the first, the GEM will ground the all door unlock relay supplying voltage to the passenger door lock actuators (if 2-stage unlock is equipped).