1987 Carrera Power Seat Problem

[tomscoolcars]

I have a 1987 Carrera with a power (driver) seat (everything but inflatable bladders). Everything works except the seat back adjustment is only working in forward tilt. Not sure if it is the switch, or motor. Presumably if the motor works in forward tilt it should work in reverse, thus it would be the switch? Unless, of course, there are two motors, one each for forward and backward tilt. What ever the mechanism is it is apparently buried in the seat back frame. Right now the seat is tilted completely forward which pretty much makes the car undriveable and my "local" dealer is 65 miles away. Is there any way to override the electric mechanism and manually reset the seat back to a comfortable position? Do I need to dismantle the seat back? If so, how? I just ordered a Bentley shop manual which should help but it won't be here for 5 or 6 days. Thanks for any help you can be. Tom.

[86targa]

Tom,

The seat motors are bilateral. Meaning that one motor performs in both directions for any given function (up/down, fwd/back) ect.

Patience might be on your side with this situation, however the Bentley manual does not cover this subject very well.

The backrest control motor has a black/yellow and grey/yellow wire which control the forward/back motion of the backrest.

The switch is externally removable, and the connector leading to the motor, may be accessible.

Applying a ground on pin 4 and 12 volts on pin 6 will move the seat in one direction.

Reversing the above will move the seat in the other direction if the motor is functional.

This will synthesize switch movement.

My bet is that you have a dirty/defective switch contact, or bad connection at the switch/motor connector.

Email me @ slyboots96@gmail.com & I'll send you a wiring diagram.

It exceeds the attachment limitations of this website.

Good luck.

Gerry

I sure do wish that someone would respond to my 86 Targa rear window defroster issue!!

I have a 1987 Carrera with a power (driver) seat (everything but inflatable bladders). Everything works except the seat back adjustment is only working in forward tilt. Not sure if it is the switch, or motor. Presumably if the motor works in forward tilt it should work in reverse, thus it would be the switch? Unless, of course, there are two motors, one each for forward and backward tilt. What ever the mechanism is it is apparently buried in the seat back frame. Right now the seat is tilted completely forward which pretty much makes the car undriveable and my "local" dealer is 65 miles away. Is there any way to override the electric mechanism and manually reset the seat back to a comfortable position? Do I need to dismantle the seat back? If so, how? I just ordered a Bentley shop manual which should help but it won't be here for 5 or 6 days. Thanks for any help you can be. Tom.

[harmonyroadporsche]

Another trick you may try is using contact cleaner on the switch. I had power seat issues in my '86 911, i.e. the driver's seat was dead and the passenger seat only tilted one way. By unscrewing and pulling out the switches (as far as the wires would allow) and spraying the hell out of the switch (look for holes you can insert the tube that comes with the contact cleaner) my seats came back to life! It was a lot cheaper and easier than replacing the switches entirely. If you have future problems with the switches just repeat the procedure. I have done it a couple of times (many months apart) and my seats work great.

Hope this helps.

J