Please help diagnose a lumbar problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: NY
Please help diagnose a lumbar problem
Sorry for the long post.
I have a 90 thats stored winters and I'm pretty sure have a lumbar problem on each sport seat but don't know exactly what I need to fix it.
The driver's side has been broken a while:when I hit the button for the motor I hear a click but the motor does not run. When I press the bladder release buttons I obviously can't hear the whoosh of air being released (because no air is going in) but I can hear it if I press my body back hard on the seat while presing.
On the passenger side, the motor does run, but it sounds VERY rough, not like how I remmber it sounding and I can't really feel the bladders inflating. Also, the only way I can get air to release is the same as above, by pressing very hard with my back as I'm pressing the release buttons. IIRC, you didn't have to do this to get the bladders to deflate.
I obviously need one pump for the driver's seat and probably one for the passenger, but do I need bladders as well? Anyone have any experience doing this and are the parts Eckler's sells for this OK?
Thanks in advance.
:)
I have a 90 thats stored winters and I'm pretty sure have a lumbar problem on each sport seat but don't know exactly what I need to fix it.
The driver's side has been broken a while:when I hit the button for the motor I hear a click but the motor does not run. When I press the bladder release buttons I obviously can't hear the whoosh of air being released (because no air is going in) but I can hear it if I press my body back hard on the seat while presing.
On the passenger side, the motor does run, but it sounds VERY rough, not like how I remmber it sounding and I can't really feel the bladders inflating. Also, the only way I can get air to release is the same as above, by pressing very hard with my back as I'm pressing the release buttons. IIRC, you didn't have to do this to get the bladders to deflate.
I obviously need one pump for the driver's seat and probably one for the passenger, but do I need bladders as well? Anyone have any experience doing this and are the parts Eckler's sells for this OK?
Thanks in advance.
:)
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Re: Please help diagnose a lumbar problem (4EVRVET)
It sounds like you may need two pump assemblies. Remove the seat cushion and you will have access to the pump. Confirm that the wiring and switch are carrying 12 volts to the driver's side pump. If there is voltage, and the pump doesn't respond, order a new pump. Do the same for the passenger side. It sounds as if the pump is operational, but the diaphragm may be ruptured. To test the passenger side pump, remove the clear turbing from the pump, and activate the pump switch. You should feel air pressure at the pump outlets, if the diaphragm is working. If the pump is working, but not producing air pressure, replace the diaphragm. There are several Tech Tips in the C4 forum that will provide the easy steps for replacing the diaphragm. If the pumps are supplying air to the bladders, and the bladders do not retain the air, you will need to replace the bladders.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Please help diagnose a lumbar problem (4EVRVET)
I agree with that diagnosis. If needed, you can cut a new pump diaphram from a heavy-duty rubber glove or a bicycle inner tube.
Get the pumps working first then you will see if you need new bladders. These can be had from Contemporary Corvette, link on my site.
Get the pumps working first then you will see if you need new bladders. These can be had from Contemporary Corvette, link on my site.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: NY
Re: Please help diagnose a lumbar problem (Oldman)
Thanks guys, I checked the Tech tips too for some great info. I'll do just what you recommended to see what's wrong.
The pump seems easy to access, but if the bladders need replacing, how difficult are they to get to?
The pump seems easy to access, but if the bladders need replacing, how difficult are they to get to?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Re: Please help diagnose a lumbar problem (4EVRVET)
..... if the bladders need replacing, how difficult are they to get to?...
[Modified by Oldman, 11:44 AM 5/27/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,413
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Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Please help diagnose a lumbar problem (Oldman)
One of the seats likely has a ruptured diaphragm. To remove, you must disassemble the seat cushion, unplug the connectors, take out the cushion, remove the 4 screws from the plastic pump cover, remove the innards, take out the diaphragm, stretch a kitchen glove over the hole, put the square plastic cover on, screw it down, cut off the excess. Reverse install procedures and thats it. Gordon Killebrew did it for me in less than 10 minutes. I have to do the passenger seat this weekend.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 896
Likes: 1
From: Oro Valley AZ
Re: Please help diagnose a lumbar problem (65Z01)
Sorry to chime in guys but I just did this who routine and you are all right with the suggestions as that is what I did, but does anyone know where I can get new bladders at a reasonable price ?? None of the vette suppliers have them as GM discontinued them and I need a pair before I redo my seats just to play it safe, so if anyone knows of a supplier that still has them please email his address or phone # to lee.anderson@tds.net. Thanks and good luck with the seats it isn't that hard of a fix.
Lee
Lee
