Lumbar pump repair
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 1
From: Florence Mississippi
Lumbar pump repair
I have been looking at threads and researching this all morning. For some reason my DA can't find what i need. I have a 1996 with the controls that switch from driver to passenger. I need help with the lumbar pump. All i get is a clicking noise when i operate any of the lumbar controls. Where do you think the problem lies?
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Have you removed the passenger seat cushion and removed the air pump? I think it has one pop rivet that has to be drilled out before you can remove the pump? Mine (94) did the same thing. It turns out that the little air pump was locked up. Hook up 12 volts to the connectors to see if pumps purrs. I took the pump apart. Lightly!! sanded the rotor and reinstalled. It worked for me. Otherwise you will have to get another pump.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
You probably have a ruptured diaphram in the end of the pump.
Found the how to fix link for you.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=181&TopicID=2
Found the how to fix link for you.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=181&TopicID=2
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,261
Likes: 9
From: sonoma ca
You probably have a ruptured diaphram in the end of the pump.
Found the how to fix link for you.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=181&TopicID=2
Found the how to fix link for you.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=181&TopicID=2
Last edited by Red Dwarf; Jun 3, 2011 at 08:50 AM. Reason: SP
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 951
Likes: 3
From: Placerville CA
When I pulled the pump on my 95, expecting to see a rubber diaphram, I found the pump is a centrifugal type with vanes that extrend when the pump is activated.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 1
From: Florence Mississippi
Mine is the design that does not have the diaphram. I was wondering what I was missing (other than my sanity) because I could not find a diaphram. The pump runs on the bench. I will look at this again tomorrow. I'm glad others have the desigh without the diaphram and explained it to me. I thought I was really losing it.
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Does your pump work smoothly in both directions on the bench? If it does and works the same when you push the appropriate side of the lumbar button then the problem must be in the manifolds. Each of the buttons cycles the pump to either pump or evaculate - depending on which side of the button is pushed it also opens one of hte solenid valves on the manifold to allow the air into or out of the bladder- that action keeps the bladder inflated at the desired level. There is a manifold for each seat. With a little trouble shooting you should be able to figure out which parts are not working. Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 1
From: Florence Mississippi
I took the pump and cleaned all the bakelite ? pieces good with finger nail polish remover. I put a light coat of sewing machine oil on all the pieces incluning the wings that slide in and out when the motor is running. Put it all back together and it works great. It pushes and pulls and the motor runs much better now than before. Now I have to see about the bags in the seats. Thanks for the input and instructions. I was going nuts looking for that diaphram.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 1
From: Florence Mississippi
I thought I was through for today but just couldn't stand it. Went back out to check the seats and see what wouldn't work. Everything on the passenger and driver seat works. If I could I would buy everyone a beer. THANKS GUYS
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 805
Likes: 11
From: Hickory Flat Ga
Good job. You saved a wad of money. These are among the best seats Chevy ever made. The side bolsters trip my friends out.
I replaced standards with sports-wiring and everything. It was like a miracle when they worked and have been fantastic since. The standards were almost as comfortable and found a good home in a Louisiana vette. Keeping them going can be a challenge, along with the rest of the vehicle...
I replaced standards with sports-wiring and everything. It was like a miracle when they worked and have been fantastic since. The standards were almost as comfortable and found a good home in a Louisiana vette. Keeping them going can be a challenge, along with the rest of the vehicle...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,261
Likes: 9
From: sonoma ca
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
The plastic (bakelight) nipples were broken (one on each seat) where the hardened tubing attached to the pump. I went to the Hobby Shop and got some aluminum tubing that was the correct od to slip into the pump housing and the broken off nipple. Then they were reattached with some serious two part epoxy so the mend could take the pressure. I dipped the hardened tubing into a cup of hot water to soften them and reattached. Worked great.
