Seat Position Switch Substitute
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 132
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From: Tampa Bay Florida
Seat Position Switch Substitute
I am really fed up with the reliability of the stock seat position
switches on my S4. And when they need service, there is nothing more
frustrating than trying to get all those little ball bearings back into the
assembly to sit exactly on those tiny springs. Has anyone out there
replaced these switches with something better ??
Joe Celeste
Seminole, Florida
87 928 S4 Diamante Blau
64 356 SC Hell Elefenbein
switches on my S4. And when they need service, there is nothing more
frustrating than trying to get all those little ball bearings back into the
assembly to sit exactly on those tiny springs. Has anyone out there
replaced these switches with something better ??
Joe Celeste
Seminole, Florida
87 928 S4 Diamante Blau
64 356 SC Hell Elefenbein
Supercharged
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From: Back in Michigan - Full time!
I'm curious, why are you adjusting your seat? I rarely adjsut my seat, but then I'm the only one who drives it. If you are sharing your shark with your wife/S.O. then you might consider jsut getting another shark. Problem solved. 
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,763
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From: London, UK
It's not just the drivers seat that this is relevant to, different passengers require different leg room, and then there's when you carry passengers in the back as well...
I agree, they are a pain, luckily only one of mine is troublesome.
I agree, they are a pain, luckily only one of mine is troublesome.
928 Collector
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From: Seattle
I adjust my seats ALL the time. Kids and gfs require this regularly. Plus, she drives often on long trips so I'm happy to accommodate. To the point: I have been thinking the same thing a long time. I have a friend who substituted his Porsche interior lights with VW parts and those are much nicer. There has GOT to be an alternative to the '70's seat AND WINDOW switches. Let's find them. i like 944 window switches but they are about the same quality as ours. Little springs and ***** ...
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Under the Lift
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Mine have never given me any trouble. I use the driver side one every day since I have extremely restricted door clearance on that side due to all the 928 crap I have stored againt the garage wall. So, I move the seat back to ease the exit. OK, the switch malfunctions after 15 or 20 years. Try to fix it. If it remains unreliable, replace it with NOS. It should last another 15-20 years.
Last edited by Bill Ball; Nov 29, 2005 at 12:35 PM.
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 57
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From: Upper Midwest
I had the same problem with the same frustration. I was pleasantly surprised to find an aerosol contact cleaner at Radio Shack which has been a life saver in several situations. For the seat switches I Disconnect the battery ground strap, obtain access to the seat switch assembly - but no need to take it apart. Simply spray the corrosion cleaner in every access hole of the assembly that you can, really soaking it good. The stuff dries very quickly but I would let it sit an hour before re-connecting, perhaps even put warm air to it (blow dryer) to be sure. This has worked very well for me!
Good luck!
Pete Whelan
Good luck!
Pete Whelan
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From: Boulder, CO
I had to clean one of mine when I got the car but since then the switches have been 100% reliable. Maybe you have a bad motor that is sucking up more current than it should be. You could replace the motors and/or install relays so the high current does not go through the poor little switch. If it's the back and forth switch, clean and lube the seat rails (remove the seat and do it right) there might be a coin or something in there causing stiff resistance. This sort of problem will also strip the gears eventually so it might be worth a look.
-Joel.
-Joel.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 132
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From: Tampa Bay Florida
Appreciate all the advice provided so far on this switch issue. I will stay
vigilant for substitues, but if anyone finds something first, please post !!
Also, Heinrich asked me to post pics of my 356 SC. I will gladly do so, but
want to know first if it is kosher to do so on the 928 forum?
Joe Celeste
Tampa Bay Florida
87 928 S4
64 356 SC
vigilant for substitues, but if anyone finds something first, please post !!
Also, Heinrich asked me to post pics of my 356 SC. I will gladly do so, but
want to know first if it is kosher to do so on the 928 forum?
Joe Celeste
Tampa Bay Florida
87 928 S4
64 356 SC
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Originally Posted by Nine2Eight
Also, Heinrich asked me to post pics of my 356 SC. I will gladly do so, but want to know first if it is kosher to do so on the 928 forum?
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,579
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From: Clearwater Beach, Florida
Originally Posted by Bill Ball
Mine have never given me any trouble. I use the driver side one every day since I have extremely restricted door clearance on that side due to all the 928 crap I have stored againt the garage wall. So, I move the seat back to ease the exit. OK, the switch malfunctions after 15 or 20 years. Try to fix it. If it remains unreliable, replace it with NOS. It should last another 15-20 years.
Bill you must be one of the lucky ones. I go through seat switches faster than I go through oil changes...the quality on these switches AND the mounting is CRAP...window switches aren't the most reliable either....
So far the only reliable seat switch for me is the manual style on my '79