Have an '01 Eldo convertible & would like to set up the valet-switch to allow trunk access with the keyless entry remote when valet switch is on. As you know, valet switch "on" prevents the remote from opening trunk, prevents fuel door release switch from working, and prevents the dash-mounted trunk realease switch from operating. Since this is a convertible, and we don't valet park, I am looking to utilize at least the disabling of the dash-mounted trunk release (for cases of top-down parking) yet retain the remote trunk-release function. (gas door unimportant)

Have FSM, & can not find wiring diagrams between valet switch & trunk release & keyless entry. I have a feeling the valet switch (which shows just a two-wire connection) is tied to the body module or some component wherein the connections are "solid state" and can not be separated from each other as I would like. Can anyone help?

It can be done with a little wiring modification and a hidden toggle switch. The circuit is on page 8-1620 in my '98 Seville Service Manual if there is any chance the two applications are the same or close.

I will be able to provide details if you cannot locate the diagram, but basically what you will need to do is modify the common ground circuit for the trunk and fuel door buttons on your dash. Insert a hidden toggle switch to disable the dash buttons when you park the car with the top down.

Good luck with it (I love electrical mods!).

Thanks Jim, I found the ground distribution schematics (G402) on pg 8-87 of '01 Eldo FSM & I'll have to pull that cluster of switches from the console to find the ground. Hopefully, the switches are individually wired & not a sealed unit within that wood-grain module the buttons are in. Unless someone has an easier solution, I'll install a hidden "defeat" switch for the trunk-release switch.

Anyone know where the valet switch is on a 97 catera,.....fuel door and trunk buttons on dash do not work, and key fob buttons do not work ???

Did you ever figure this one out? My '97 Deville has the valet switch but like you, I'm concerned about theft. Without the switch being on, anyone can get into the trunk with nothing more than a rock (break window-push button). The problem is that you have to remember to turn on the valet switch and even worse, it's only protected by the glove box lock, something that is easily defeated with a screwdriver IF you remembered to lock the box. My old '93 SDV had the power to the inside button turned off when the ignition was off though remote access was still OK. Perfect. Why they changed it is beyond me.

The options I've thought of include:
1) Reseting the trunk release button to be powered by the ignition switch rather than getting juice directly from the battery. Schematics suggest that this isn't possible or would be very dicey.
2) Adding a hidden momentary switch inside the car to provide power to the trunk release button. This would give me the option of using the button when needed as long as I pushed something else. Again, the schematics suggest that there is too many interconnections to do this without mucking up something else.
3) Adding a simple switch right next to the solenoid on the trunk so I could disable all non-keyed access. I'd set this switch when traveling or leaving the car parked somewhere dicey. It would be a pain (I'd lose remote access when one) but it seems to be an easy approach.

What did you wind up doing?


Nick