My XK8 (1999) has a problem with the passenger seat. It does not adjust and is stuck in a leaning back position. I need to find the best manner to fix this. I know I have the dealership option. Any other suggestions?

Sandy

 

Maybe offer your passengers a pillow?

 

The seats use potentiometers to measure the travel for the seat module. Diagnosing, repairing and adjusting them is high level tech work. If you are really good, you might be able to diagnose and repair this, but if you are like me, you will need to work hard to find a repair place that even knows how to fix it. I doubt that all dealers have someone up to speed on this. They do have the World Data network for information though.

 

Thanks for the chuckle. Yeah, been known to do that! And... Some need the seat back anyway. I'm into the get this baby back to being just right phase, so as can I'm trying to do better.

Sandy

 

This is a common fault, and is caused by repeated rubbing of the circuit board in a small module under the passenger seat. The only long-term fix is to repair the circuit board.

In the meantime, here's a band-aid for you:


1. Raise the DRIVER'S seat to its highest position.

2. Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery in the trunk.

3. Remove the small plastic gray box (seat control module) from beneath the PASSENGER seat. You'll need to put your head on the floor to see it...a 10mm wrench will undo the two bolts holding the control module in place.

4. Carefully unplug the two electrical connectors from the PASSENGER seat control module, and set it aside.

5. Now remove and unplug the module from beneath the DRIVER'S seat. You'll probably have three connectors here.

6. The seat modules are interchangeable. Plug the DRIVER'S seat module into the two appropriate connectors under the PASSENGER seat.

7. Re-connect the negative terminal to the battery in the trunk.

8. Make whatever adjustments you want to make to the PASSENGER seat position. Everything should work.

9. Disconnect the battery again.

10. Reinstall the seat modules under both seats. You can choose which seat gets the fully working module.

11. Re-connect the battery.

12. Re-program the windows. Ignition ON, raise both windows and hold button until you hear a faint click, lower both windows and hold button until you hear a faint click.

13. Done.

 

WOW. Now that's the way I like to hear someone's thinking. My folks should have used workaround as my middle name. I often think - it doesn't have to be perfect, just get it to work!

Mahalo (as they say in the islands) I'm your newest biggest fan!



It could be a bit, but I'll let you know when I've tried this.

Sandy

 

I was able to find a used module on ebay for $80, but they are getting hard to find.

 

Got another one?

 

My XKR had the same symptom of a "stuck passenger seat" - and I knew about it when I bought the car. Before disassembling the control box and using "tuner juice" on potentiometers, first thing to try is simply reconnecting the power cable. Mine was loose. Wiggling the wire while trying the seat switches showed an intermittent connection.

A runaway tennis ball, for instance, jammed under the seat while the passenger is moving the seat back and forth could cause the problem.

And general advice for all owners - once a month cycle the seats through the range of travel, steering wheel, and door mounted rear-view mirrors. It's not good for them to sit around without exercise.