Mongo

Looks like I can't repair the driver side lumbar seat switch anymore. The seat only reclines instead of contracts, and raises but doesn't drop.

Does anyone have a used seat switch for the lumbar?

I also have another question. With searching, I found that memory seat switches can be used by swapping the ground wire and soldering it onto a terminal that is no longer used on that switch. Has anyone done this and can verify wire colors?

Trying to decide what would be the best route here....

docmirror

I had a write up on this just a few weeks ago. You can buy a new switch from Roger at 928sRUS and swap in your own harness. I think the switch is about $40-50 and it's new. Takes about an hour if you have to remove the seat. If you have enough slack in the wiring to the switch, the seat can stay in, and pop the switch out, solder the new one in, and viola.

If you're not handy with a soldering iron, get help, or send it to me, and I'll fix it up for you.

Mongo

Lots of experience soldering (ex-RC car nut). I was putzing around with it again this afternoon and got 3 of the 4 functions to work on the backrest. I just can't get it to move forward, it only reclines and now it looks like an ottoman in the fully reclined position. I can't drive it now without any lumbar support. I don't know how I managed to get the other 2 functions to work.

BTW - if anyone is reading this and has a functional 4-way seat switch for the lumbar, PM me. Thanks.

RET

I don't know what you have done to repair the switch so far, so the following might not be helpful, but I have resurrected several switches on my 928 (seat control switches, window switch, etc.) as well as a few in my old MBZ (seat control switches, etc.) using Deoxit.

Obviously, these switches were not physically damaged, they just did not work correctly, and regular contact cleaner had no effect when sprayed into any of the failed/intermittent switches, but a dose of Deoxit revived them instantly.

It is not a good idea to do this while the switch is installed due to the difficulty of getting the Deoxit into the switch as well as any run-off. Basically, squirt the stuff into the switch (some ingenuity might be required on some switches), manipulate the switch, shake/drain out the excess, check function of the switch with an ohm meter, repeat if needed, and test switch function in-circuit if the ohm meter check was good.

YMMV, but Deoxit has saved me the cost of many switches, even if more labor is required. It is available on-line and at Fry's.

Imo000

Have you tried taking the switch complelty apart and cleaning the contact points? I did this to my passanger for/aft switch and it worked like a charm. When I pulled the switch apart, the contact surfaces had heavy carbon biult up on them. Once thye were wiped down, the switch worked as designed. BUT be very carefull not to loose the little ball bearings, so for that, take the switch apart when it's upsdie down and have a tupperware container under it (just in case the steel ***** roll out)

Mongo

i just cleaned all the contacts and took it completely apart. I managed to get 3 out of 4 positions to work.

Mongo

Just ordered a used one from 20th Street Auto for a great price. If it works I'll be satisfied just as long as I get my lumbar to stop looking so reclined like some low-rider fool in a rice rocket.

Alan

Do you mean backrest angle or lumbar? I don't see why any position of the lumbar would stop you driving it... it really only makes much difference for a long drive...

I'm not getting the reclining/contracting & up/down comments... the lumbar goes up/down & in/out - Only the backrest goes more/less reclined paired with seat rear up/down

All the 4 way switches are basically the same (only the wiring is differently configured).

If you need to raise the seatback more vertically you should be able to do this even with a defunct switch by just applying power to the connector with the switch removed (reverse power to change direction).

Alan

Bill51sdr

I talked to him, it's the seatback angle. I'll try to help him out with it if he has the car here (SD ) with him. We have a visitor...

Mongo

ok so when I get back in I have a new switch waiting for me. Hopefully it works and I can get the fully reclined backrest to something normal for driving. If not, how do you add power to get the lumbar to move forward? and what wires do I touch if that is the case?

Mongo

Lovely... My seat switch is not here and this seat NEEDS to be normal to drive this car tomorrow. How do I reverse polarity on this thing and correct the backrest issue?

Landseer

Can you use the other switch, stick it in there, and make the adustment?

Mongo

I would have to remove the seat to do the swap. Just out of curiousity, can these later model seats be adjusted by turning gears like the old 78-84 seats that are power???

Mongo

Woah.

I totally fixed it! I tore the whole switch apart and swapped the contacts which for some unknown reason now make the switch work FLAWLESSLY.

I guess I spent some money on having a spare now. Sweet!

MTNKING

fudge! I hope this is my problem with my seat. I havn't really driven it but maaan... The PO really messed up the interior. The drivers seat is set all the way foward and upwards. I was scared to connect the battery since half of the the engine is basically apart. But this seat problem was killing me so i did it anyway. I tried to move the seat and i just herd it move upwards a tad bit. (i should've at least pushed backwards first) Then i pushed every button and nothing worked not even the one i pushed. The windshield wipers still work but the seat doesn't =0( I was so pissed, i said "fudge it i'll just get a manual nice recaro drivers seat" but I can't even take the seat off since it's all the way up and foward. Hopefully I have the same problem as you. Do you have pictures just incase? >.< Im just going to continue with removing the tons of trash and cigarettes in the interior. So far it looks like another 5 pounds of trash/twigs in the drivers area. Oh, you also said somthing about gears moving the seat? Would I be able to move the seat back manually? I have an 82'