Seat Problem Fix?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Eugene Oregon
Seat Problem Fix?
I am blessed to have a 1999 magnetic red Z51 convertible with about 65,000 miles on it. It runs perfectly and is more fun than an old guy like me should have. However, a problem has recently arisen with the seats (they are original). Although I can hear all of the seat motors working under the driver’s side seat, none of the seat’s “air” adjustment functions (upper and lower lumbar and bolster) are inflating or deflating when I press the appropriate control on the side of the seat. On the passenger side, I can also hear all of the seat motors working when I press the appropriate control, but the bolster is not inflating/deflating (upper and lower lumbar are working fine). I’m wondering if anyone out there has had this kind of problem and knows what the fix is? Many thanks.
.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,009
Likes: 1,142
From: Oregon
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
The bladders in the seats go bad. Here is a link with some info
https://www.google.com/search?q=c5+c...client=gws-wiz
https://www.google.com/search?q=c5+c...client=gws-wiz
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 78
Likes: 54
From: Tennessee
I had the same issue, ordered new bladders assuming that was the issue. When I got the seats apart I found out that there was no problem with the bladders but the motor was filled with dirt and would not allow the little blades in the motor to extend causing no air movement even tho the motor would run. Lyle at C&S Corvette has a great video on how to rebuild the motors and make your lumbar and bolster bags inflate like new. I would check this out before spending a bunch of money on new bladders that you may not need.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 103
From: Olney MD
I rebuilt the air compressor motors (by cleaning the old grease off the rotor blades and replacing it with new grease) and I replaced the old leaking air bladders with blood pressure cuffs. The cuffs come in different sizes for children and adults, but if memory serves me right, I used "adolescent" sized cuffs. they work fine with the rebuilt motors!
I did this in conjunction with replacing the leather and repairing the broken fiberglass 'wing' on the driver's side.
It's great to have comfortable new looking seats that have all the features working!
Good Luck!
I did this in conjunction with replacing the leather and repairing the broken fiberglass 'wing' on the driver's side.
It's great to have comfortable new looking seats that have all the features working!
Good Luck!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,212
From: Temple Texas
I had the same issue, ordered new bladders assuming that was the issue. When I got the seats apart I found out that there was no problem with the bladders but the motor was filled with dirt and would not allow the little blades in the motor to extend causing no air movement even tho the motor would run. Lyle at C&S Corvette has a great video on how to rebuild the motors and make your lumbar and bolster bags inflate like new. I would check this out before spending a bunch of money on new bladders that you may not need.