Problem with RR Classic driver's seat - Land Rovers Only

aprovide · 03-27-2008, 08:18 AM

Hi,

I am having a lot of problems with the driver's seat on my 95 RR Classic SWB.
About a year ago my mechanic replaced the ECU with a used one because the seat and mirrors stopped working. It worked for about a week and then started having problems again. He replaced it with another unit.
It worked fine for a few months, but then started acting up again.
While driving, the seat would just move all the way forward on its own, causing me to have to pull over and switch off/on the car until the seat would work again.
My mechanic said it was the switch.
I tried cleaning out the switch with contact cleaner, but that didn't help.
The symptoms vary from week to week, so I just disconnected the electrical connectors below the seat and have the seat/mirrors in a fixed position.
Last week I needed to move the seat so I reconnected the electrical connectors. However, when I move the driver seat switch it is adjusting the driver side mirror. The passenger seat works fine.
Has anyone seen this before (where the seat switch moves the mirror instead of the seat)?
At this point I'm not sure if I should consider replacing the switch or the ECU or both.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all.

Roverdude · 03-27-2008, 03:16 PM

It might be time to rebuild your switch. I've found the electrical contact cleaner sprayed into the switch box only lasts a couple of months at best. Pull the whole switch out, and carefully take it apart (tiny springs and ball bearings may fly everywhere!). I give all the contacts a good cleaning w/ the wire wheel on my dremel and then stick all the springs and balls in a film cannister that I spray contact cleaner into. Shake profusely and all should come out shiny. Then carefully reassemble and your switch should be good for a long while.

hermanpj · 03-27-2008, 07:08 PM

what year?

repete · 03-27-2008, 10:37 PM

(tiny springs and ball bearings may fly everywhere!).

may fly? I thought that was a guarentee! be sure the person who reassembles it has a stedy hand!!!

hermanpj · 03-28-2008, 06:42 AM

IMHO
Taking that switch box apart and cleaning the contacts is a good remedy typically when the seat movement is jerky/inconsistent. For instance when you hold the button in the on position and the seat does nothing at first, or if the seat will go forward but not backward, etc. I've done this job and it does make a difference. However if the model year that 'aprovide' owns has a common ECU between seats and mirrors, and a fault in that ECU is causing seat button to control mirror (a symptom which cannot be a fault in the seat control switch), then taking apart the seat control switch is probably not going to help. And if one isn't careful, there is the risk of losing those stupid ball bearings, springs, tiny plastic levers, and so forth.

So Aprovide, exactly what year is yours? And then someone smarter than me can tell you whether that year definitely has a common ECU between the seats and mirrors. Before cracking open the seat control box or spraying anymore contact cleaner in it, I'd investigate the ECU.

lindzmk2 · 03-28-2008, 07:42 AM

Gosh I hate the electric seats! Anyone ever successfully put in UK-spec manual seats into a RRC? I just had the driver's seat ECU in my 95 LW replaced with a used one. And I know it won't last too long.

I so prefer the manual seats in my '95 Disco. One less thing to break!!

OkieRover · 03-28-2008, 01:10 PM

I have a write up on my site about rebuilding the switch.

aprovide · 03-28-2008, 09:57 PM

It's a 1995.

Thanks for all the responses.

hermanpj · 03-31-2008, 01:34 PM

ok so if its 1 95 and therefore does have a seat/mirror ECU , judging from the symptoms of seat controls making the mirrors move it sounds much more like a problem with the ECU or maybe wiring than the seat control switch. You can take that switch apart - its really not so bad if you follow directions (Okies are good) but I wouldnt count on it making a difference.

aprovide · 04-12-2008, 07:22 AM

Thanks Pat.
Last weekend I finally got around to taking the seat switch apart. It was actually very clean inside with no dust buildup or corrosion. I still cleaned all the contacts and lubricated it.
As you suspected, servicing the switch did not make a difference. The problem still exists. At this point I may just live with it since the cost of a new ECU is so high.

Thanks again for all your help.

Alvin...

Paul Grant · 04-12-2008, 09:22 AM

At the risk of losing futures sales on used seat ECU's, anyone who has a dead one may want to take a look at this. I posted it a few months back on Dweb.

"I just opened up a seat ECU that I have here from a '93 LWB. The battery inside is a Varta MemPac that's rated at 3.6V 100mAh. When your seat ECU starts to act weird, that's the first thing I would check. Search the web for a replacement, solder it in and give it a go. It's certainly easier than finding a good used unit and a lot cheaper than buying a new one."

I have found the battery for as little as $6. That's a lot cheaper than an new ECU and certainly worth a try.