6 way power seat not working

[super_dave0069]

New car and my son was messing with stuff. Anyway...he reclined the drivers seat way back and it won't go back up The up / down lumbar works and so does the recline back but nothing else. The forward, up, and down arrows on the rear switch do nothing like they are dead. I'm not sure if the heat switch works either. The seat back is not jammed with anything because it folds forward using the levers in the headrest. I tried to take the switches out to get a better look at them but there's not enough slack in the wires to do that. I suppose I need to take the seat out to get a look at the underside but is there a way to manually adjust the seat back? Also, are the seats covered in the Bentley service manual? My copy should be here tomorrow? Anyone have suggestions?

[2.7RACER]

Hi Dave,
I just fixed my drivers seat a couple days ago. The seat wouldn't recline for or aft. The recline motor is in the seat back.
There is a plug and wire at the seat bottom that goes up to the recline motor. I pulled the plug and applied 12 volts to the plug. Nothing.
Luckily as I was untying the wire to the seat back I found a broken wire.
Whew! I wasn't excited about taking the upper seat back apart.
If the voltage to the upper recline motor had ran the motor, then it would have meant a problem with the switch. There are a couple great writeups here on fixing the switches.
Careful, small parts and springs.

[Wil Ferch]

Almost 90% sure its the switch. Look at the archives for how to take apart and clean. Just like distributor point contacts ( for those of us old enough to remember these)... the contacts gets carboned-up . Need to run a fine strip of emery cloth under the contacts....most cases good as new. Holy smokes ! .... look at the replacement costs of these things, especially the 4 way style instead of two way. Stupid expensive.

[john walker's workshop]

just fixed the same thing today. the switch. my luck with cleaning them is almost nil, so they just get replaced. maybe my fingers are too big and clumsy, but i always seem to lose a tiny ball or something.

[super_dave0069]

I got the manual yesterday and I'm not impressed with the coverage for the seats...a whopping 3 pages. I can't get to much with the seat installed so I suppose my next course of action is to remove the seat and check it all out where I have more room to see things. I'll give that a try today.

[OldTee]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

just fixed the same thing today. the switch. my luck with cleaning them is almost nil, so they just get replaced. maybe my fingers are too big and clumsy, but i always seem to lose a tiny ball or something.

X 2

[Wil Ferch]

The tiny ball bearings are a real problem,.... you think you're working on an atom bomb or something....

However, with patience and small fingers...it can be done. It helps to work on a flat surface and use a dab of grease to position the ball bearing/springs so they won't come apart easily..they still hoever have a tendency to do that. Work slow and careful and it can be done.

[x98boardwell]

I have posted on this befoe as well. Look up under Power Seat Switch Question and you should find what your looking for.

+1 on the ball bearing. I had to reassemble 3 times to get them right.

Best of luck,
Bryan

[3.2 CAB]

Yep, those switches really have problems because of their balls. Most switches don't have enough balls, but our Porsche switches just have too much, in the ball dept.

[super_dave0069]

I ended up taking the seat out so I could get a better look at everything. I cut the wire ties to get more slack from the switches. I found that the switch already had a bit of grease or something in it but all the balls were in there. I cleaned the grease off the contacts with a rag and alcohol. After six attempts, of taking it apart and carefully putting it back together the switch still didn't work. I did figure out how the inside works though. Apparently, the balls and springs only hold the rockers against the metal bars for continuity. If you make sure all are touching then use a screw driver to push the one you want down, it will work. I found out which one leans the seat back forward and got it into the correct position.
Thanks for the help everyone

[Wil Ferch]

A rag and alcohol will not properly clean the contacts....you need an emery strip or small strip of sandpaper. You position the paper UNDER the contacts, gritty side of peper facing up, and swish the paper back and forth with the paper...because you can't see the actual point-of-contact on the BOTTOM surface. You'll understand what I mean after you take the switch apart. Once you clean 'em up this way...it should work.

[kbruz]

I wouldn't bother with cleaning the switches. It's easier to replace them. The first time I did this I took the seat out and replaced the switch including the pigtail attached. Learned lots.

When I did the drive seat a few months ago, I decided to just cut the old switch out and wire in the new one. Just make sure that you leave enough room to splice in the new switch.

I've found the motors to be pretty robust, but not the switches. Just curious, I'm assuming that you checked for bad fuses.

[Wil Ferch]

Switches are kindy pricey..... even if you think they're easier to replace. Actually ..kinda "stupid" expensive for what they are.....IMHO

[kbruz]

I completely agree Wil, the switches are expensive, but I cant see spending the time to remove and clean to save the $100.00 dollars. I personally have not had much luck in cleaning and reassembling.