Hi everyone,

Anyone have an idea what could be the cause of the lumbar controls no longer working on my 96?

Both power seats work, but the lumbar controls on the drivers and passenger side are totally dead.


Any ideas?

TIA

 

Maybe you need a lumbar-jack to help move them out....

Sorry, I know that was terrible....but I couldn't help myself - no self control.

And I have no idea what the answer is, but good luck

Matthew

 

Those things never work. usually the bladder goes bad. You can make your own using a piece of bicycle innertube. Im going thornless for longevity
Under the seat cushion there is a pump...I looked at mine the other day, stamp says it is made locally, Ill check on it to see if it can be had cheaper than MAM..
Check the vacuum lines too, they use a plastic (crap) junction block-Mine fell apart when Ipicked it up. Probably fix with some hose barbs from Osh, not sure if they share vacuum with eacother though.

Not sure about the switch itself, I do know the bladder is the most common problem.

 

Does the motor make noise when you press the button? If so, you probably have a leak, if no noise than there is something with the switch or wiring.

Pull the bottom cushion out and verify that both plugs are plugged in.

 

Aside of the usual possible problems (fuse, hoses, etc), two other possible problem is the rocker switch on the console has failed or the pump has siezed.

Does the 'pump' make any noise or movement when the switch is used (which is under the passenger seat on our 94, seat bottom cushion lifts out easily, so pull it to feel for pump movement).

If the pump is getting power, as ours did after I fixed the switch (see below), 1994 plus pumps no longer have a 'bladder', and just a close tolerance carbon component pump. I was able to revive it (probably overheated and was dry from leaning on the switch) with lock graphite and careful reassembly (a couple of times to get the tightening torque correct).

If no power at pump, try and unplug it and test for power to it.

If no power, and you have ruled out a fuse problem, the switch might have failed.

On our 94, after working on the dash/console, I may have leaned on the switch too long and damaged it, or it was just its time.

Either way, after disasembling the switch, there is a small circuit board inside which has an undersized circuit on it, which had burnt-out.

I was able to apply a small amount of solder and repair the switch's burnt-out circuit, but it took being careful and knowledge of circuit board diagnosis and soldering.

 

No noise at all.

Seems if BOTH side are not working, it would not be a plug, unless there is one plug controlling both sides? I will pull cushion tonight when I get home.

I'm wondering if I'll have to take the console apart, and check connection under there.

 

Check connections under the pass/seat. Occassionally, when a pass sits in the seat the lumbar controls will not work. Wiggled the wiring & all is working?

 

:groan: