electric seat question

doc18015 · doc18015's Garage

Probably simple but........my electric seat on the drivers side does not work. Both of the switches have had the plastic buttons broken off, consequently the seat is stuck! How can I get the seat to move? Is there a mechanical/manual override? According to the service manual , to remove the seats one must at least expose the seat bolts by moving the seat front , then to the rear? Any suggestions? Thanks for the help. Is there a fix for the buttons without purchasing the entire seat switch?

Jeff · 10-22-2003, 05:56 AM

doc, Don't know what year yours is, but on mine there is a plactic cover on the front of the seat cushion. It has a hole and in the hole is an allen bolt which provides manual adjustment both fore and aft.

caliber60 · 10-22-2003, 01:37 PM

For my '87. Both of the switches does not work. I opened the switch, clean the contact, now both works. If you clean the burned metal contact, it should work. I bought a new switch from Porsche but never used because I repaired the problem. If you want it, let me know. It's the verical up/down 2 way switch.

Jeff · 10-22-2003, 06:21 PM

Also, to fix your button, drill a small hole in both the button and post and super glue it, then put a large head/ small diameter thread screw to hold it together. And do what caliber said (I had to do both) and while you have the seat out clean and lube the worm drives, it will work like new.

doc18015 · doc18015's Garage

Thanks for the info. I do not have the plastic buttons. The car is an 85' Cabrio. I checked the seat from the front;I can see the two motors but no other means of moving the seat. Caliber60: Thanks for the offer but I think I need the 4 way switches....to match the passenger seat. Does anyone sell the buttoms? Is there a way to check the seat switches? It is unfortunate, but the person that previously owned the car must have thrown the buttons away or lost them and tried to dismantle the switch from the outside to check it.

dtfastbear · 10-23-2003, 07:09 AM

If you need to replace the switches, here are some instructions I wrote when I did it...

http://www.momentarylaps.com/tech/power_seat_switch.pdf

Good luck,

Dean

caliber60 · 10-23-2003, 10:59 AM

Unless it's broken plastic tabs, you can clean the metal contact, it will bring the seat switch back to life 90% of the time. I was going to replace the switch but found it's more difficult than just open the switch and clean it without removing the switch.

doc18015 · doc18015's Garage

Caliper60: You are saying to open the switch. Do you mean by removing the plastic buttons? The buttons are off the switch , exposing the contact bars. I do not have the buttons or the knowledge of how to test the switches with the buttons removed. For all I know , the switches may be good. Should I remove the switches and test via the wires? Sorry for making this a big deal, but I would like to solve this one on my own rather than send it to the local P-car mechanic. No fun in that!

doc18015 · doc18015's Garage

Dean: Thanks very much for the super instructions! Well written for a novice like myself. This board has some really great people on board.....thanks again.

caliber60 · 10-24-2003, 10:17 AM

If the buttons are removed, you should be able to test the seat on the spot. Touch 2 metal contacts the seat should move. I think you might be missing some contact bars and metal balls in side the switch. Once you open the switch, all the parts will fall out. Look like you might need to get a new switch since your's switch is not complete.