slowell

Having an issue with the power seat controls...

The forward/back/up/down, and tilt switches work only intermittently. Typically they move the seat just slightly and then stop. I discovered that if I trigger the lumbar support this seems to reset things so they move a little again, then stop. Similarly, discovered that if I hold the lumbar switch toward "release" and use the other switches then they all work fine

Occasionally the seat will also start to move on its own. Concerned that may happen while driving.

Any thoughts??

ASH8

Hello and Welcome to the RX-8 Club..

Generally the Power Seat operation has been relatively trouble free...

Now, just a few things to check...

Have you ever disconnected your main Battery under hood, if NO , just check to make sure Terminal Clamps both + and - are secure.

Next, if there is still an issue..it appears to be the Seat Connector plugs for the Power Operation set up....If you can look behind and under the bottom of the seat from the rear check the wiring connection plugs are securely closed together.

One thing (just comes to mind) you don't have any sort of towel or seat cover on the seat bottom that "could" be interfering with the side switches??...I doubt it, but thought I would ask...or any books or tools under your drivers seat??

Your 8 would still be under Warranty, so failing the above, I would return to your Selling Mazda Dealer.....or a Mazda Dealer close to you...if you purchased your 8 privately or second hand you factory warranty IS transferable, make sure you have done the paperwork.

slowell

Connections under the seat appear to be ok...as far as I could reach anyways. Thinking it may be right at the switches but haven't figured out access to that area yet as seems to be up inside the seat more.

Haven't disconnected battery but will check that. Everything else seems to work fine though...

The car was purchased "rebuilt" so don't have factory warranty. They may however look at this as a safety issue (given that the seat moves sporadically)...that's my other course of action but was hoping it might be something more obvious!

Thanks...

ASH8

Oh..OK...

Perhaps the Seat Switches had a hit from a Collision??

The 'Switch Set' can be purchased separately.

slowell

The "rebuilt" stems from a hit to the passenger side rear-end and above the frame etc so while it's possible that it's related, no direct impact to the switch area.

How are the switches accessed and if necessary removed? Given the behaviour between the switches I think it must be something either in the switch or perhaps a loose/pinched wire leading to.

Alternatively, looking at the schematic it could be a flaky ground for the forward/back/up/down and tilt switches which is satisfied only when the lumbar switch is configured as well. Can anyone tell me where they are grounded?

slowell

Update...After poking about ensuring that the connections under the seat seem to all be ok the controls aren't working at all now. Fuses are ok as I think shared with the power door locks and they still work. Luckily it's "stuck" in the position that I drive in!

Can anyone advise on how to access / remove the memory and adjustment switches? I unscrewed the plastic panel on the front of the seat but didn't get me very far. Does the seat need to come right out and if so how?

Thanks...

jrx13

From your initial post, it sounds like the lumbar switch could be the problem out of all the switches. Maybe it is shorted out or something and causing you to lose power to all the other functions?

Unfortunately, looks like the power seat switch is replaced as an assembly though. You'll have to pull the front seat out because I don't think there is enough room to get the covers off without doing it.

ASH8

You will have to remove the seat to look at the Switch...unless you want to bust the covers..

Here is a parts explosion of that area for a RIGHT Hand Drive S2 Seat...(same principal as Left HD).

slowell

Great pic...thanks Ash.

I may have found the problem.

Turns out that the complete failure I reported yesterday was due to this problem now starting to blow the fuse after all. Thinking pinched wire I went into the back of the seat via the zippers and found that I could trigger things by pulling on the wire that runs up to the switch on the back of the seat for getting in/out of the back. It was run right up againt the spindle that connects the bottom and back portions of the seat and I think getting either pinched or stretched and pulling on the connectors. Also found what may have been a loose power connection feeding the whole seat. Have addressed both so will see if it goes away...