Half of the power seat controls stopped working Carrera 3.2
 

I have a 1985 911 with the partially powered driver’s seat, the forward/backward motion is manual.

Some (most) of my power seat switches do not seem to be functioning, see the annotated image below. Does anyone know what the cause could be before I go straight for replacing the switches entirely?

It is interesting because the 4-way switch seems to function in 2 of the 4 directions so maybe the motor is ok, but the switch is the issue. Could this just need contacts cleaned to work or is that a unlikely scenario?

The front switch, which is the seat tilt I believe, does not make any noise at all when used so a whole new switch might be required.

What does the forum think, have any wisdom? I am not an electronics person, so I usually stick to mechanical repairs.

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Usually a switch issue, usually.

Highly doubt this is your problem, but this summer when one of my switches wasn’t working, it was because I had removed the seat and forgot to plug one of the plugs back in to the harness that provided power.

Pull the seat, it'll be easier to diagnose and -- if you have to replace switches or test/replace motors -- I found it's easier with the seat out. Be forewarned, that sucker is heavy.

You might find out the two-way (seat bottom tilt) switch is indeed not plugged in. If so, bingo -- clean the contacts on both the switch and the harness and you're golden. If the 'play' in the 4-way switch seems the same in each direction, it's likely a dirty/intermittent contact issue -- either in the switch itself or in the connector. I've also seen a pinched cable lose its continuity; this will also be easier to spot w/the seat out.

Inside the 4-way (the two-way too, actually) is a series of pots w/springs inside each pot, about 3mm diameter IIRC. The 'cross' portion of the switch that you press on has 4 posts that compress against the spring resistance to complete the circuit for that specific function. Sometimes cleaning contacts in the switch will work; I wasn't so lucky -- plastic got brittle on mine and I had broken pieces inside.

In my case I just replaced both switches and the bezel; in the grand scheme of things they were pretty cheap.

Good luck.

Your fix could be as simple as spraying some DeOxit5 in the switch. My switch bodies have a very conveniently located hole to do so.

Alternatively, the switches can be disassembled and cleaned...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/152315-how-fix-power-seat-switches.html

FWIW, I've been able to fix the switches without removing the seats by snipping one of the zip ties holding the harness underneath and gaining enough slack to pull the switch assembly out a bit.

The seats are heavy. 58+ pounds for four way power sport seats.

Try this. Search is your friend.

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/885223-power-seat-switch-replacement.html

Try a couple of good shots of contact cleaner in them, toggle switches and reapply, do the passenger side while you are at it worked wonders for me

[QUOTE=famoroso;11151617]Your fix could be as simple as spraying some DeOxit5 in the switch. My switch bodies have a very conveniently located hole to do so.

Try this first, worked perfectly for me. Look for the small hole that Frank notes.