RAPIDFIRE1

Just got done doing some routine maintanence. New plugs, wires, rotor & caps. Replaced a few worn out bulbs in the rear tail. Took a ride yesterday and noticed the electric mirror switch did not work. Then noticed that the drivers side seat would not operate. Looks like everything on the driver side arm rest is dead. Checked fuse #21 and#7 per wiring diagram and no luck? Any thoughts. Any ideas where I should start next before dropping it off to a mechanic? Thanks in advance. Dave

Alan

Try operating the switches when the door is open at various degrees? anything? Sometime as the flex looms age wires fatigue and break...

Check seating of the 3 plugs to mirror/seat memory controller (above hood release).

When you checked the fuses did you use a multimeter on ohms mode? swapping in new or looking at fuses is really no test...

Also check Fuses 20 & 21

Does the seat operate in manual mode or never now?

Alan

RAPIDFIRE1

Thanks for the thoughts. Just replaced the fuses. Didnt use a meter to check. Seat doesnt operate when using the side switches. Will check the 3 plugs tonight.

James Bailey

I do not think he has memory seats...buttons 1, 2, 3 on door panel.

Alan

If you don't have memory seats and mirrors - check fuses #8, #12 & #20. There are 3 possible configurations of mirrors & seats...

Swapping in new fuses is no test... if the old fuse blew because of some unresolved issue and you put a new one in - the most likely outcome is that the new one will immediately blow also.

So the only way to know if the fuse is blown is to actually test the fuse you take out, and after replacing - if it still doesn't work - take out the newly replaced fuse and test that one too...

Alan

James Bailey

Alan you are so helpfull to so many with these far too common electrical issues, now if you could just fix my transmission Nice to see you giving you time and knowledge so freely, well done !!

Alan

Jim...

Sorry - transmissions are out of the knowledge domain

Alan

MFranke

I had a similar issue on both my 88 and my recent 87. In both cases it revolved around the power supply to the drivers seat control board, which feeds power to the mirrors and the memory. If you want to check this, you'll need to remove the seat. If the allen wrench manual adjustment doesn't work, you can just pull out the cables with your hand from the front gear apparatus and turn the cables with lockpliers or a power drill, pulling an even amount on each side, to move the seat to access the bolts. Use some pb blaster and be careful not to strip the bolts.

Check the plugs under the seat first In each case for me for the '88 and the '87, the seat controller under the seat had developed defects in the solder joints on the board associated with the wiring sockets. Look closely at the pins for hairline cracks or dimples. With the cover removed, but the board in place, I reflowed the solder to the board seat controller pins with a bit of extra solder for good measure. It's cheaper and faster than installing a new board. In each case this restored my seat, mirror, and memory functions and I haven't had a problem since.

Alan

The underseat controller only exists for the memory seat/mirrors option - so let us know what you have?

Alan

RAPIDFIRE1

Guys. Thanks for all the suggestions. Pulled the car out of the garage to do some checks and still nothing. Went for a quick run for gas and on the way back noticed the backlights on the door were illuminated. Check the remote mirror switch and it worked and the the seat adjustments. They were working. Guess something was loose but now its working. Gotta take a hard look at all the conections this weekend in daylight. Thanks again for the input.

Kevin in Atlanta

Do those switches share the same ground?

MFranke

In my case the loss of function was like a ghost. Sometimes it worked sometimes not. I originally suspected the wiring harnesses. I traced all wires, cleaned all grounds, cleaned all accessible connectors, and it worked for a time before the ghost came back. Studying the wiring diagram led me to start focusing on the seat controller because it sends power to mirrors and memory. Finally I found that some controller solder joints had barely visible surface defects/cracks circular around some of the pins. Reflowing the solder seems to have resolved the issues. It was very easy to do once the seat was out.