jwbeck17

Just today my driver's side power seat is blowing the fuse when touch the directional disc to move forward. The second disc for the seat back seems to work fine when I replaced the fuse, and the seat moves back fine. However, when i try to move it forward the fuse pops.

Any suggestions here on how to inspect? I used the manual adjustment screw to get it back to my position. I also put some deoxit on the fuse panel and fuse, so I don't think it's the panel. Only thing I did to the car over the weekend was clean and condition the seats using color-plus materials.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Alan

It is likely a switch, it is not likely to be the motor since you can run it OK in the reverse direction.

You can disassemble & clean - I'd take the seat out to make it easier.

Alan

Mrmerlin

did you ever remove the seat?
I ask because maybe you also pinched a wire on installation, BTDT

Alan

Stan - For the seat to move one way all the wiring for supply/ground must be good... these are the usual culprits for pinching and shorting wires since they are on the plug pigtail.

After the switch the wires usually are usually well contained within the seat. However a short on one motor wire to ground could cause this behaviour or a failure & short in the (reversing) switch itself. Removing and looking at the motor wiring may be revealing. Also does the switch action on the switch that causes the issue feel any different from the others?

Alan

jwbeck17

Thanks for the ideas, Stan and Alan. The seats haven't been pulled out in a while, so I don't think it's an install issue. Possible that the mats are getting curled up underneath the seat as I have the original seats installed over the center belt of a 5-pt belt that I am not using, but this was never an issue before. Problem with the switch itself could be likely, as I cleared and conditioned the seats, and it is possible that moisture got into the connections. The directional adjustment discs feel fine and normal, so I don't feel any physical breakage.

I was thinking of doing following:
1) remove the seat side switch and clean it up with deoxit. I was able to unscrew it from the seat but did not disconnect the wires from it as I could not see how they connect.

2) remove the seat and check the connections on the underside. I was thinking of doing this anyway, as I want to refresh and recolor the seats.

Mrmerlin

Thanks for the explanation Alan,

I should add more detail,

What I found was the wires got pinched on the rail when the mechanic installed the seat,
then when the seat was moved it pulled a wire out of the connector pin,
thus no more function,
with further messing, the then broken wire touched another one and then the fuse blew.

This isnt exactly what the OP is experiencing but seat removal/installation could also be an issue if care isnt taken .

jwbeck17

I was able to remove the seats today for and wsnt to make sure I am covering all the bases while I have access under the seat. So far here is what I've done:

- unscrewed switch from seat side and sprayed some deoxit on the connections. The disks move and feel normal so I am not expecting any internal breaks.
- sprayed deoxit on the the main (10 pin?) connector and also the separate two prong connector that connects to the floor wires
- looked for wire issues by unscrewing the wire box under the seat. Sprayed a little deoxit there too, but was not sure if I should remove the connectors as I am not sure how.
- removed the manual adjustment plastic cog, as that had been stripped a bit before. Will see if I can get a new one from Roger.
- cleaned the rotating adjustment screw posts.

The seat is still out, so I welcome your suggestions. I noticed a few odd things as well when I took the seat out.
- unlike the passenger side, there is a two prong connector in addition to the 10-prong. What is that for?
- There's an unconnected female two-prong connector at the bottom of the seat and not sure what that was for.
- when I looked at the connector box underneath the seat I noticed that there are about ten connector boxes. One box, #5, looks like it should be getting the wires that are marked #5 in a wire bundle, but they are all cut. Not sure what they are for.

I'll post some pics as well. Welcome your suggestions on how to trouble shoot.

Thanks!

Jason

jwbeck17

Alan

Plug 5 is for the feedback (memory) potentiometer on the lumbar depth control - required for correct lumbar memory recall operation but likely not related to this issue. However interesting that these have been ripped off - suggests other damage may be possible.

Look at the connections on connector 13 and the relay unit it connects to and then on to the longitudinal motor - thats where the fault will be - look for wire shorts to the frame.

Alan

jwbeck17

Well if 5 is for lumbar control, the cut wires make sense, as the unit is a two-disc adjuster unit without lumbar adjustment. Porsche may have used the same wire harness but not connected the wires to relay 5.

For relay 13, what is the best way to remove it? Does it pull out vertically and is held by friction, or are there clips somewhere? I just don't want to break it when I remove it.

I'll double check for shorts and clean the connectors to all the motors just to be safe.

Alan

I don't think the relay can be the problem - I'd focus on the wiring all the way to the motor.

Alan

jwbeck17

While I'd didn't find a specific short, I cleaned up all connections and checked the wires. Plugged the seat back in and it is working fine now. While I need to get a new emergency pinion cog since mine has cracked a few teeth, the seats look great too, since I just refreshed their color and fixed the creases and tears with color-plus. All good!