Lumbar inflates on it's own

Gear Grinder · May 27th, 2014, 08:02 PM

Greetings fellow enthusiasts, I need some help with the drivers seat in my Boxster. After driving 20-30 minutes the lumbar pad in the seat inflates on its own. The dealer quoted $700 to fix which I can't afford right now and constantly relieving the pressure with the switch is getting old. I am about ready to attack my seat back with an ice pick

Does anyone know where the inflation motor is located so I can disconnect it? I looked at the fuses chart and there is not a dedicated fuse for the motor that I could find. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks' for your help.

Gear Grinder · May 28th, 2014, 11:40 PM

opps! I failed to mention its a 987.

Tom M · May 29th, 2014, 05:03 AM

It's almost got to be under the seat. You could narrow it down by adjusting the lumbar support while not sitting in the seat to see if you can identify the location by sound.

Gear Grinder · June 13th, 2014, 02:38 PM

I got some time to look at the seat, I had to buy a E12 socket to unbolt it. There are two electrical connectors that go to the seat. There are three typical looking seat motors visible underneath. I was expecting to see an air line but didn't find one. Originally I thought the lumbar motor might be behind the bulkhead cover behind the seat, but after pulling the seat out I can tell ( by sound only) that the motor is built into the seat backrest. When I pulled the seat back center section free from the front I could see the two air bags and the tubing going to them but other than that just the wiring to the seat heater. But behind the bag are two really small wiring connectors that I cannot get apart. Once I figure that out, my quest for the lumbar motor disconnect might be complete.

Gear Grinder · June 23rd, 2014, 06:20 PM

I got the two connectors disconnected and it did disable the bag inflation. Upon pressing the lumbar adjustment switch I can hear relays clicking that seem to be inside the seat cushion. Went out for a drive and got a visit shop message that won't go away. Car is now at the dealer getting the seat controller replaced. I have never had a problem with power seats in any car I have owned. The Porsche experience sure costs a pretty penny. The fact they want $1,800 for a replacement radio is insane.

May 27th, 2014, 08:02 PM	#1
Gear Grinder Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 21	Lumbar inflates on it's own Greetings fellow enthusiasts, I need some help with the drivers seat in my Boxster. After driving 20-30 minutes the lumbar pad in the seat inflates on its own. The dealer quoted $700 to fix which I can't afford right now and constantly relieving the pressure with the switch is getting old. I am about ready to attack my seat back with an ice pick Does anyone know where the inflation motor is located so I can disconnect it? I looked at the fuses chart and there is not a dedicated fuse for the motor that I could find. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks' for your help. __________________ Gear Grinder

May 28th, 2014, 11:40 PM	#2
Gear Grinder Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 21	opps! I failed to mention its a 987. __________________ Gear Grinder

May 29th, 2014, 05:03 AM	#3
Tom M Site Founder Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 2,635	It's almost got to be under the seat. You could narrow it down by adjusting the lumbar support while not sitting in the seat to see if you can identify the location by sound. __________________ Tom M (Westfield, IN) '04 996 C4S MBM/GG (gone) '00 986 S MBK/NBL/BLK (gone) '11 958 Cayenne S

June 13th, 2014, 02:38 PM	#4
Gear Grinder Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 21	motor in seat back I got some time to look at the seat, I had to buy a E12 socket to unbolt it. There are two electrical connectors that go to the seat. There are three typical looking seat motors visible underneath. I was expecting to see an air line but didn't find one. Originally I thought the lumbar motor might be behind the bulkhead cover behind the seat, but after pulling the seat out I can tell ( by sound only) that the motor is built into the seat backrest. When I pulled the seat back center section free from the front I could see the two air bags and the tubing going to them but other than that just the wiring to the seat heater. But behind the bag are two really small wiring connectors that I cannot get apart. Once I figure that out, my quest for the lumbar motor disconnect might be complete. __________________ Gear Grinder

June 23rd, 2014, 06:20 PM	#5
Gear Grinder Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 21	No more Porsche electric seats for me. I got the two connectors disconnected and it did disable the bag inflation. Upon pressing the lumbar adjustment switch I can hear relays clicking that seem to be inside the seat cushion. Went out for a drive and got a visit shop message that won't go away. Car is now at the dealer getting the seat controller replaced. I have never had a problem with power seats in any car I have owned. The Porsche experience sure costs a pretty penny. The fact they want $1,800 for a replacement radio is insane. __________________ Gear Grinder

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