Power Seat Switch Replacement
 

When I did the seats last year on the 87 Cab, I noticed that switch on the right seat would only work, so the rear side of the seat would only go down, but not up. At that point I didn't want to mess with it, because it was no big deal.

So a few months ago, on the driver seat the back would only go back, but not up again. Now that's an issue, because the other half cannot drive with the back in a position I have. So here we go, I ordered 2 new switched for the rear up/down and the back adjustment.

This may help other who have the same issue and need to replace the switch. OK, this is applicable for the 87 Carrera, and may be a bit different on other models.

OK, here we go:
First slide the seat all the way to the front and loose the rear socket head bolts. Then the other way around. This car has these steel block from the bottom side in the rails, and if you not grab them with the finger, they will fall down, and need to be fished out.
http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat001.jpg

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat002.jpg

After all 4 corners removed, flip up the seat to get access to the electrical connectors.

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat003.jpg

Disconnect the power for the seat and the cable for the seat belt, and remove the seat.

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat004.jpg

Now it's good time to collect all fastener and if needed get the vacuum and clean up what you normal not see, and collect all the change.

With the seat on a table. Remove the screws from the switch.

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat006.jpg

Remove the connector from the holder

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat007.jpg

And unplug

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat008.jpg

In this case unplug the cable from the motor that move the rear side of the seat up and down. It's always a good idea to take some pictures for later when things need to be reconnected. :)

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat009.jpg

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat010.jpg

Now we have to take apart the connector with the 4 pins. Just use a flat screwdriver and careful pry it apart.

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat011.jpg

The 2 pins with the arrow are for the rear up/down and Back for and back. This connection only has power with the ignition on.

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat012.jpg

Now we have all 3 ends unplugged and the switch can be removed.

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat013.jpg

After the complete switch frame is pulled out, the individual switch can be pulled from the frame by pressing the 2 taps (arrow) with a screw driver.

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat014.jpg

There you have it.

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat015.jpg

Above is the old and below the new switch

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat016.jpg

The replacement switches are the same for left and right, and they are basically right switches. So the connectors for the left seat must be reversed in order to work correct. Otherwise the seat moves up when you push down, the back goes for when you push back.

The left one must be reconnected the same way as the old one.
This is the connector which must be reversed for the driver seat.

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat017.jpg

Now connect everything back as it was.

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat018.jpg

It's always a good idea to test all function before the seat is installed. I just use the Battery jumper for testing.

http://airboxer.com/images/87_seat019.jpg

Hope this will help somebody who has the same issue.

Cheers
Engelbert

Nice write up!

Second that! I wish this write up had been around six years ago when I had to do the very same thing on my 87....

You can usually take them apart...clean off the rust and they work great again. No need to remove from seat or seat from car.

The trick to keep the steel balls to stay on the little springs when you reinsert them into the switch is to put a tiny drop of krazy glue on each ball. It sticks just well enough to get the assembly back together, but not hurt the function. YMMV

I messed around with the driver seat switch for over an hour, and decided that I need a new one. When I was ordering one, I just got 2, WTF.

I will keep the old ones, just in case I have spare time to mess around with it. :D

Cheers
Engelbert

That's a nice bonus, those baby's are like $125 a pop...

I love the "search function" when it has Engelbert's write-ups!

I was investigating what it would take to remove my seats today. The hardware was easy, but I couldn't figure out how/where to disconnect the wire coming from the car to the seat.

I figured out the the part leading towards your second photo...

http://i.imgur.com/lDc944x.jpg

I took off the backing plate.

http://i.imgur.com/Gbyck46.jpg

I was hoping it disconnected from this somehow...

http://i.imgur.com/HH1mQ5X.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lFTXjqj.jpg

Opening it up left me stumped.

http://i.imgur.com/vZZosPY.jpg

...

So it looks like the two parts of this black cube separate? And that's the disconnect point? That is a relief - it that's accurate. I am guessing it is a matter of grip carefully, wriggle/pull apart slowly?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Just use a flat screw driver and pry the 2 plugs apart, see below. But be careful one of the pins has continues power and the next to it is the ground.

Thank you, sir.

I disconnected the power when I started working, this was exactly the information I needed to continue.

--------

What a breeze once I knew how to disconnect that wire! Thanks again!