Power Seat Switch Replacement

[rothaus]

When I did the seats last year on the 87 Cab, I noticed that switch on the right seat would only work, so the rear side of the seat would only go down, but not up. At that point I didn't want to mess with it, because it was no big deal.

So a few months ago, on the driver seat the back would only go back, but not up again. Now that's an issue, because the other half cannot drive with the back in a position I have. So here we go, I ordered 2 new switched for the rear up/down and the back adjustment.

This may help other who have the same issue and need to replace the switch. OK, this is applicable for the 87 Carrera, and may be a bit different on other models.

OK, here we go:
First slide the seat all the way to the front and loose the rear socket head bolts. Then the other way around. This car has these steel block from the bottom side in the rails, and if you not grab them with the finger, they will fall down, and need to be fished out.




After all 4 corners removed, flip up the seat to get access to the electrical connectors.



Disconnect the power for the seat and the cable for the seat belt, and remove the seat.



Now it's good time to collect all fastener and if needed get the vacuum and clean up what you normal not see, and collect all the change.

With the seat on a table. Remove the screws from the switch.



Remove the connector from the holder



And unplug



In this case unplug the cable from the motor that move the rear side of the seat up and down. It's always a good idea to take some pictures for later when things need to be reconnected.





Continue in next post.

[rothaus]

Continue here.

Now we have to take apart the connector with the 4 pins. Just use a flat screwdriver and careful pry it apart.



The 2 pins with the arrow are for the rear up/down and Back for and back. This connection only has power with the ignition on.



Now we have all 3 ends unplugged and the switch can be removed.



After the complete switch frame is pulled out, the individual switch can be pulled from the frame by pressing the 2 taps (arrow) with a screw driver.



There you have it.



Above is the old and below the new switch



The replacement switches are the same for left and right, and they are basically right switches. So the connectors for the left seat must be reversed in order to work correct. Otherwise the seat moves up when you push down, the back goes for when you push back.

The left one must be reconnected the same way as the old one.
This is the connector which must be reversed for the driver seat.



Now connect everything back as it was.



It's always a good idea to test all function before the seat is installed. I just use the Battery jumper for testing.



Hope this will help somebody who has the same issue.

Cheers
Engelbert

[DRACO A5OG]

Outstanding!

[DWeg1998]

Looks great.
Also worked well for me to solder in a new switch, using the old wire into the new switch. Didn't even have to take the seat or anything else out.

[cabmandone]

Englebert,
Did you try cleaning the old switches before you replaced? Mine didn't work so I took the switches apart, cleaned the contact points and put them back together and BAM working switches.
Great write up with pics by the way!

[jlex]

Yeah.... don't throw those old switches away. A good cleaning will probably save them. Was able to successfully clean them on my '85 when they started acting up. Wonderful write-up though.

[uwanna]

Go to this thread:Who has repaired their power seat switches?

Scroll down to post #5. Follow the procedure there, it uses an aerosol can of contact cleaner with a red nozzle straw to shoot cleaner into the switch contacts thru the little holes that you expose. After spraying, you "exercise" the switches numerous times to clean the contacts. Did it a couple of years ago when most of my 8 way switches were inop or intermittent. Problem has NOT returned! I used this cleaner, THE BEST!!
go to: Amazon.com: CAIG DeOxit Cleaning Solution Spray, 5% spray 5oz: Everything Else

Believe me, I have worked in the electronics industry close to 50yrs, and have tried every electrical contact cleaner there is. No other cleaner can hold a candle to CAIG DeOxit D5.
Many products can clean and make things work for a while, but the D5 chemical completely does away with all oxidation and then deposits a lubricant film which prevents future problems. It's what the pros in the electronics industry use!
Even if you don't get it for this problem, get a can and use it on any electrical connection you make. i.e. when replacing/reseating fuses, battery terminals, slide on electrical connections, etc. It will save you future headaches and your butt!

[uwanna]

Here's a pic of where you squirt the contact cleaner into the switches. Use CAIG DeOxit D5 and your problems with dirty switches will be history!

[caitov]

^ Just did this the other day and it worked like a charm. I once again have a fully functional switch/seat.

[Scbrindley]

Great write up. I just replaced a switch and wish I had a guide like this prior to doing the work!

[rothaus]

I messed around with the driver seat switch for over an hour, and decided that I need a new one. When I was ordering one, I just got 2, WTF.

I will keep the old ones, just in case I have spare time (what is that anyway ?) to mess around with it.


I will for sure try the trick with the spray right into the switch, in case another one stops working.

Thanks
Engelbert

[69porsche]

Originally Posted by uwanna

Here's a pic of where you squirt the contact cleaner into the switches. Use CAIG DeOxit D5 and your problems with dirty switches will be history!

I did this today on both of my front seats, saved me a trip to my local shop, $$$ and buying unnecessary parts trying to guess how to get it operational. Thanks Pelican for the search feature and the repository of great information for the Porsche owner!

[Harley Monster]

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread, a couple quick blasts of contact cleaner through the above mention hole fixed my switch without having to take the switch apart!!!

[Philip7]

Originally Posted by uwanna

Go to this thread:Who has repaired their power seat switches?

Scroll down to post #5. Follow the procedure there, it uses an aerosol can of contact cleaner with a red nozzle straw to shoot cleaner into the switch contacts thru the little holes that you expose. After spraying, you "exercise" the switches numerous times to clean the contacts. Did it a couple of years ago when most of my 8 way switches were inop or intermittent. Problem has NOT returned! I used this cleaner, THE BEST!!
go to: Amazon.com: CAIG DeOxit Cleaning Solution Spray, 5% spray 5oz: Everything Else

I also have a power seat problem. 2 functions didn't work anymore. I ordered the CAIG Deoxit D5 and it worked instantly on 1 of them. Great tip and great stuff !

The last problem is a weird malfunction with the tilt backwards button. It briefly worked again for 1 time but it didn't felt 'smooth'. When I use another button and try to tilt back again, it does nothing. When i wait for 30 minutes or so and try the tilt backwards, it works for 1 time aigain. After using another button and tilt doenst work

Motor and button seem both to work. Could it be that I used too much of the DeOxit perhaps?
Another thing I can think of is that I opened the switch a bit by squuezing in an flathead screwdriver in order to open the switch a bit to be able to squirt in the DeOxit. (the switch with 4 functions doesn't have a usable hole to get the DeOxit in)

[Philip7]

It sorted itself out. I think the excessive deoxit needed to dry out first. Everything works now!

[John W.]

Great advice guys! I just put a can of deoxit in my Amazon cart for my next order.

[chrisbruck]

So funny, I read this old thread and sprayed some WD-40 on mine... and guess what????

The rear up and down switch on my drivers seat started working again... only would raise up and never lower since I bought it. So much more comfortable now too !!!

[shaunmbenson]

+1 for contact cleaner in those holes

Just saved seat pull or mechanic trip ������������

[J Geiger]

Great sequence with pics!
Does anybody know where to buy these 8 pin connectors not 14 pin?

[M505]

Joined today to say 'thank you" to all on this great thread. My new to me M505 seat buttons were not working until I used Deoxit as recommended. The seat buttons are now functional while two other spray products failed to clean the switch. Thanks again.