I have a 1999 XJ8 VP. The seat control unit is very loose, but the buttons all work. How is this unit attached to the seat securely?

 

It clips into a plastic fitting. Guessing it's broken.

 

The seat needs to be removed to fix?

 

Not sure. Think you’d have to peel back the leather. Might have to remove the seat to do that. Seat comes out easy. Four big Torx bolts, disconnect seat belt and disconnect the wiring harness. Recline the seat all the way back and remove out back door. Put a blanket on the back seat so you don’t scratch the leather with the metal runners. Before remove, disconnect battery and ground positive lead. Don’t reconnect until back in. This is to prevent messing up air bag.

 

The switch 'receptacle' is part of the foam cushion. (a plastic insert glued to the foam)

When I worked at the dealer we had an interior guy come to the dealer to do all our leather work and he did this cushion replacement often.

 

Mine has unclipped itself once, You might get lucky pushing it back in firmly.

 

Once those come loose, it is not so easy to get them secured.

 

Thanks for the replies everybody. Not sure if I want to mess with this or not. My vertically challenged wife wants to drive her, and I'm worried she'll move the seat up and then....

 

Remember if you've got memory seats give her a different fob/key (I forget which) and the car remembers who is getting in & goes to their position. You might need them saved on a different button I can't recall exactly how it works as only I drive mine.