Drivers electric seat problem

Well it couldn't last - L322 ownership for 2 weeks and the first problem!!!

I went to adjust the drivers seat, it went back ok, but wouldn't then move forward again, the back reclined, but wouldnt come up, the seat base went down, but wouldn't go up, the headrest went up but wont go back down.

Checked the fuses, all ok, had a look under the seat for loose connections but couldnt see anything, tried to move the seat again and then things went from bad to worse. The fuse for drivers seat and adjustable steering colomn blew and as soon as a replacement is put it, it blows immediately without pressing any of the buttons.

Any ideas or help much appreciated as i'm finding it difficult to reach the pedals now

Cushion???

Cushion - Sofa and Seat Cushions - IKEA



In all seriousness, sounds like time to take a gander at the seat module ECU and the seat switch packs for dampness....

Does the passenger seat work as it should??

Mine has a hissy every now and then and will only travel in one direction....a wiggle of the switch gets things going again, so I put it down to dirt ingress on the contacts...

The Steering Column motors have a habit of jamming up...this could be the cause of the fuse blow!

Thanks for the advice, might need cushion until i can get it fixed.

To answer your comments, yes the passenger seat is still working correctly

The steering colomn was working correctly until the fuse blow problem, in all directions and was 'parking' and 'resetting' with the ignition as normal.

It seemed very odd that all seat functions would only move in a single direction before it failed completely.

Where is the seat ECU located? I'll see if there is any moisture/dampness around it?.

my motor on the seat adjustment got clogged up with dust and got stuck.

had to clean it and grease everything up.

unusual all of your motors aren't adjusting one way...

deffo look at the ECU

OK....

According to RAVE wiring diagrams and etc....the Passenger seat is control via the Switch pack on the seat itself...but the drivers seat with memory function is controlled via the Seat memory ECU...hence why the Passanger seat works fine and the drivers is playing up - two separate systems....

Trouble is it doesn't mention where the seat ECU is...I can only guess it is mounted behind the switch control panel.

If the Previous Owner was less than vigilant with keeping the door closed or the window closed during the rain or he is careless with his drink while driving, it could get spilt down the side of the seat causing issues....

And BTW - best to switch off the steering wheel automatic retraction and extension when you switch the ignition on and off as the motors on these puppies are weak and badly mounted causing them to fail or jam!

Saint.V8 said:

And BTW - best to switch off the steering wheel automatic retraction and extension when you switch the ignition on and off

Click to expand...

Is this possible Saint?? Didn't think you could do that?

robhew86 said:

Is this possible Saint?? Didn't think you could do that?

Click to expand...

with diagnostics it is

all comms offers it i think

robhew86 said:

Is this possible Saint?? Didn't think you could do that?

Click to expand...

Using diagnostics it is....

Saves the poor little motors from going south and costing you for a replacement steering column...

2.0_hippo said:

with diagnostics it is

all comms offers it i think

Click to expand...

Saint.V8 said:

Using diagnostics it is....

Saves the poor little motors from going south and costing you for a replacement steering column...

Click to expand...

Jinx...

dont think it stops the motor snapping off its shaft. thought that got broken off by people who use the steering wheel to drag themselves into their cars ...?

Ah, didn't know that, I know on Audi's you can " switch them off " so to speak.
Mine was replaced before I got it, I've got used to driving it with it in the natural stowed away position.
I guess you could always set it to the desired position and pull the fuse!!?

robhew86 said:

Ah, didn't know that, I know on Audi's you can " switch them off " so to speak.
Mine was replaced before I got it, I've got used to driving it with it in the natural stowed away position.
I guess you could always set it to the desired position and pull the fuse!!?

Click to expand...

That or just turn off the auto move feature with diagnostics....you still get electrical adjustment and memory function...just not the auto retract/extension is all....

And Hippo - that is a chief cause, but also the stop nut gets jammed at full travel and the poor motor can't reverse up and snaps the mounting....their only plastic mountings afterall...

robhew86 said:

......I guess you could always set it to the desired position and pull the fuse!!?

Click to expand...

Sounds like a plan, except the steering colomn uses the same fuse as the drivers seat, so you also loose that (assuming its working in the first place!!!!)

Thanks for the advice so far, I will have a look at RAVE tomorrow, to see how to remove the switch panel from the seat, then check all connections etc.

If it has to go into LR to have the seat sorted, I'll definately get them to disable the auto steering colomn function - dont really fancy changing the colomn out !!!!

Depending how things in the seat ECU are arranged, one stuck switch would cause all funtions to be in one direction only. Wash out all the switches with contact cleaner NOT WD40.

Sounds like a good starting point - thanks

I have been looking at RAVE, but it is completely useless in 'how to remove the switch valance' from the seat. I really dont want to break anything while trying to dismantle it - any ideas/instructions??

To keep you all updated and to provide thanks to those who have offered help and advice, i thought i would update this post.

it seems that this is not the first occurance on this car, as when i finally got the seat valance off, the switch pack had a date code 4 yrs after the car was made. on the seat valance, I found lots of the clips to be broken or badly glued on. Be warned, if you ever have to remove the seat valance it is a real pig with about 10 plastic clips (most of which you cant even see - let alone get to) and 1 screw holding it on.

I managed to strip the switch pack down and found what i assume is the seat ECU as there is a chip and lots of circuitry inside along with the switches, relays and power connections.

A generous wash with contact cleaner and operating all of the switches proved no help. As soon as the switch pack power connection is reconnected to the car the 30A fuse blows instantly.

Off to LR for replacement as i cant find anyone online who can supply this part, and as it is not the original that has failed, i can only assume they are not very robust

spares on bay, scroll down a little, all parts available
range rover l322 spares | eBay

Well turned out not to be switch pack after all. I got a new switch pack from LR (not cheap) plugged it in and got same result - bugger!!

Luckily LR took the switch pack back, full refund so well happy with that. Did some investigation with the trusty multimeter and found headrest motor was down to ground on both wires!

So now remove rear of drivers seat to disconnect headrest motor, another pig of a job. While I was checking the pin outs, I jumped a few connections and moved the seat forward and backrest up so that I could drive it in a comfortable position.

At this point i plugged the original switch pack in - and everythig works, including the headrest!!!!

I'm not 100% certain, but i wonder if by moving the seat originally, a wire got trapped causing the short. Still lesson learned - leave teh seat where it is once its comfortable.

Does anybody know the location of the drivers seat ecu for a 2003 l322 td6.?

Does anybody know the location of the drivers seat ecu for a 2003 l322 td6.?