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[SteveMJ]

Hi

On my 2001 3.2 Elite the driver's seat has stopped being able to move electrically.  The passenger seat operates with no problem and the two seats have a common fuse.  The drivers heated seat works OK

I took the seat out at the weekend and checked for power going into the 'control box ' which it was.  After re-connecting the power plug (which has some other wires in it too) the seat worked fine, including the memory function; the rear-view mirror moved with the memory too.

I presumed that the connector contacts were dirty and removing/replacing the connector had cleaned them.

A few hours later the seat would neither move nor the memory function operate.  I re-removed the seat & checked the power again - OK.  The seat electric operation returned, but only long enough for me to drive around the block ~10 mins.

I've left the seat in a good enough position for me to drive, but I would like to have this fully functioning.

Any suggestions or experience of this?

My present best guess is that something in the under seat control 'box' is being re-set when I remove the power connector OR the other wires in the same connector allow something to be re-set.

Thanks for your help

Steve

[TheBoy]

Is it all seat functions, or just some that stop?

[SteveMJ]

There is no seat movement (or attempt by the motors).  The memory buttons do not convey anything to the wing or rear-view mirror.

It is as if the whole seat electrics are disconnected.  Except the test I have done show that power is supplied to the control module.

I have checked for coins or other items mechanically stopping movement - there are and were none.  This is further evidenced by the 'normal' operation for a short period after I disconnected and re-connected the power from under the seat - which I had to remove to access.

Does this answer your question to help answer mine?  

[TheBoy]

Hmmm, not seen them fail like that before.  Dry joints where power comes into module?

[SteveMJ]

Hmm, possibly.

The indications are that it is the 'seat module'. I would take it out and leave the seat in its existing position (except I need to move the seat back and forth to get to the fixings) and have a look (I have some expertise in electronics and vehicle ECU design too).

I guess this is not a common fault then.

Steve

[TheBoy]

Hmm, possibly.

The indications are that it is the 'seat module'. I would take it out and leave the seat in its existing position (except I need to move the seat back and forth to get to the fixings) and have a look (I have some expertise in electronics and vehicle ECU design too).

I guess this is not a common fault then.

Steve

No, not common.  Seen them fail completely, and seen the switch contacts go intermittent, but not your kind of fault.

Other than throw a Tech2 on it to see if its shutting down for some error reason, can't think of what else to add  :-/

[Liam]

Perhaps also check the cabling seat side of the 20-pin memory connector for signs of abrasion/kinking etc.  May be that due to movement one of the wires (seems like power or ground) might be close to snapping due to mechanical stress.  It shouldn't happen if the cable is still routed as installed and bad connectors are much more likely, but worth a look.

Liam

[SteveMJ]

Other than throw a Tech2 on it to see if its shutting down for some error reason, can't think of what else to add  :-/

How can I get an interrogation done - any way through here (any Autobahnstormers members maybe)?  

I've been away and spent another Saturday afternoon looking at this with little success.  The non-power multiway connector beside the seat can be diconnected/reconnected to give movement for about 10 mins (easier than removing the seat!).  So its not the power that effects the change but something else.

As I have a 'lights-on' or 'door-open' buzzer that makes a funny strangled noise and buzzes when I turn the ignition off, I am suspecting another; ECU the body-controller perhaps.  This may link to the seat module and be the cause of these two problems.

I have no idea where this ECU is - can anyone suggest where to look please?

Your help is much appreciated.

Cheers, Steve