Power seat switches
09-08-2015, 04:29 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Power seat switches
I started to remove the pass power seat sw as it will not recline. I got the sw loose but cannot get it out enough to open up the sw. to clean or inspect it Do I have to remove the whole seat assy to access?
09-08-2015, 05:44 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
I was having the same problem as mine a while back. Not sure what year yours is, but mine is an '82.
A few pointers/experiences:
0. I removed the seat from the car. Found it easier to work. It's 4 bolts on the mounting rail. A bit of PITA to get out, but I found it worth the effort for the extra space to move around.
1. You can take the mounting plate off via the 4 screws in the corners. That should give you some play room.
2. The switches should deattach from the wires behind it. There are 6 electrical plugs that connect into the back.
3. I found that one of my switches wasn't making good contact on one of the sides. I cleaned it up with Deoxit, roughed it up a bit and it was working.
4. I also found that one of my motors wasn't connected properly. I reattached the cables as they should, and all was good.
5. Finally, there are a number of threads around on how you can direct-apply power to the motor to see if it's dead and it's not a switch problem.
A few pointers/experiences:
0. I removed the seat from the car. Found it easier to work. It's 4 bolts on the mounting rail. A bit of PITA to get out, but I found it worth the effort for the extra space to move around.
1. You can take the mounting plate off via the 4 screws in the corners. That should give you some play room.
2. The switches should deattach from the wires behind it. There are 6 electrical plugs that connect into the back.
3. I found that one of my switches wasn't making good contact on one of the sides. I cleaned it up with Deoxit, roughed it up a bit and it was working.
4. I also found that one of my motors wasn't connected properly. I reattached the cables as they should, and all was good.
5. Finally, there are a number of threads around on how you can direct-apply power to the motor to see if it's dead and it's not a switch problem.
09-09-2015, 08:50 AM
#3
Rennlist Member
I'll jump in to say that on my 86 car, the wiring to the switches appeared to be soldered, not a plug. It was necessary to take the seat out of the car. Once I did that, I was able to snip some wire ties and generate enough slack in the cable to get the switch out far enough to work on it.
They are "snapped" together. It takes a least 2 small screw drivers to pry open the snaps on one side and release the mechanism. Mine had very small round metal ***** mounted on springs. I took mine apart inside of a baggie just to catch the pieces if they shot out, which they didn't. There was some grease that was solidified. I carefully cleaned everything with electrical contact cleaner and reassembled the switch. They work fine now but it is a job that requires a delicate touch.
They are "snapped" together. It takes a least 2 small screw drivers to pry open the snaps on one side and release the mechanism. Mine had very small round metal ***** mounted on springs. I took mine apart inside of a baggie just to catch the pieces if they shot out, which they didn't. There was some grease that was solidified. I carefully cleaned everything with electrical contact cleaner and reassembled the switch. They work fine now but it is a job that requires a delicate touch.
09-09-2015, 02:20 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
Make sure you remove the left and right seat fuses before working on them (20&21) on an S3.
Edit: i placed a small dab of grease on the ***** to hold them in-place while inserting the spring side. PIA
Edit: i placed a small dab of grease on the ***** to hold them in-place while inserting the spring side. PIA