Repairing passenger power seat switch

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13 years 11 months ago #10417 by tedder
I have a 1986.5 with the 2 power seat switches. I am replacing a broken one that controls the seat going forward and back on the passenger seat. What do I need to do since I can't control the height of the front part of the seat? Is it easier to unbolt the seat to re-attach the wires for the new switch? Thanks for your help - Ted

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13 years 11 months ago #10425 by pcar928fan
Ted, keep us posted on this one... Did you actually FIX your seat switch? I hear those are a REAL PITA to work on with a bunch of springs and ball bearings and such just WAITING to run away as soon as you open that bad boy up!

Sorry I can't be of more help... I am not one of the tech guys who works on his car much... Just can't reach much of it from a wheelchair! :cool:

James
78 Silver / Black-white #295
84 Ruby Red / Black AO84
88 Dark Blue / Linen-Black
92 Polar Silver / Dark Blue 92EURO
93 Arrow Blue / Black

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13 years 11 months ago #10431 by wallyp
There exist numerous methodologies whereby a feline may be divested of its outer hirsute covering...

You can pull the broken switch out, leaving the wiring attached. Then check the wire colors and switch configuration. If everything looks good, cut the wires close to the old switch and nearer the plug on the replacement, and use good-quality crimp splices to connect the appropriate wires. Reinstall the switch in the seat - job done. Just don't tell the purists!

You can unbolt the seat and remove it from the car. This will allow you to "correctly" replace the switch, and to also clean, check and lubricate the motors, gears and drive cables. But - to unbolt the seat, you must move it all the way to the front and all the way to the rear. There are manual ways to do that - check for a hole in the lower front seat cover, with an Allen-headed drive screw behind the hole.
There are normally six Allen bolts holding the seat to the floor. They are usually Loctited in place, and you will often need to use a propane torch or similar heat to break the Loctite.
Be warned - it is all too easy to strip the heads of the Allen bolts trying to remove them. Use a very good Allen bit, and make sure that it is in straight and held down very firmly.
Be warned - if you do get the bolts out, that sucker is heavy. It is difficult and dangerous to try to get the seat out of the car by yourself.

As you might guess by now, I used the cut-and-splice method on my car...

BTW - If you do want to repair one of the seat switches, take it apart and put it together while working inside a clear plastic bag, such as a large ZipLoc freezer bag. That helps retain the flying springs and balls.

Wally Plumley
928 Specialists
www.928gt.com

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13 years 11 months ago #10461 by denhamfly
Wally the ziplock bag is a great idea, you can tell this is not your first rodeo!
;);)

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13 years 11 months ago #10596 by curtisr

wallyp;10758 wrote: There exist numerous methodologies whereby a feline may be divested of its outer hirsute covering...

+1 ...lol...!

BTW - If you do want to repair one of the seat switches, take it apart and put it together while working inside a clear plastic bag, such as a large ZipLoc freezer bag. That helps retain the flying springs and balls.


+1 ...gotta remember that...!

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13 years 11 months ago #10942 by tedder

wallyp;10758 wrote: There exist numerous methodologies whereby a feline may be divested of its outer hirsute covering...

You can pull the broken switch out, leaving the wiring attached. Then check the wire colors and switch configuration. If everything looks good, cut the wires close to the old switch and nearer the plug on the replacement, and use good-quality crimp splices to connect the appropriate wires. Reinstall the switch in the seat - job done. Just don't tell the purists!

You can unbolt the seat and remove it from the car. This will allow you to "correctly" replace the switch, and to also clean, check and lubricate the motors, gears and drive cables. But - to unbolt the seat, you must move it all the way to the front and all the way to the rear. There are manual ways to do that - check for a hole in the lower front seat cover, with an Allen-headed drive screw behind the hole.
There are normally six Allen bolts holding the seat to the floor. They are usually Loctited in place, and you will often need to use a propane torch or similar heat to break the Loctite.
Be warned - it is all too easy to strip the heads of the Allen bolts trying to remove them. Use a very good Allen bit, and make sure that it is in straight and held down very firmly.
Be warned - if you do get the bolts out, that sucker is heavy. It is difficult and dangerous to try to get the seat out of the car by yourself.

As you might guess by now, I used the cut-and-splice method on my car...

BTW - If you do want to repair one of the seat switches, take it apart and put it together while working inside a clear plastic bag, such as a large ZipLoc freezer bag. That helps retain the flying springs and balls.


Thanks for the good advice. I took it and just cut the wires on the new switch and crimped connectors onto the existing wires. Since 3 of the old switch directions had worked previously thought they all would work fine with a new switch. So far not so good - I have to double check each connection, especially the red and brown leads that go to power source. Don't think Porsche engineers ever envisioned owners trying to fix seat controls on 26 year old cars! Thanks again - Ted

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