1983 Power Seat question

[Guest merrillcrosbie]

Hi, the driver side power seat in my 1983 Riv convertible has stopped working, but not entirely. I need some help diagnosing what needs to be repaired.

The seat will move forward, but not backward and will move down (tilt) but not up.

When the switch is activated I can hear a click under the seat regardless of the direction I am pushing the switch, but the motor only activates going forward or down.

Since there is a click and the motor will work in one direction, I assume I can rule out fuses. But, is there a relay that I need to check? Are there separate relays for going forward and backward? If it is a relay, where would these relays be located? What do they look like?

Can I assume that since the motor will engage in one direction, it is not the motor?

Could it be a gear problem? I am assuming not because it does not appear to engage the motor at all going backward. Just a click. If it were a gear problem, I would think the motor would try to engage, but it doesn't.

Any ideas on a diagnosis? Thank you!!

[Guest merrillcrosbie]

Okay, cancel this. It is the switch, not the power seat itself. I noticed that the seat would 'click' when I pushed the switch, but the motor wouldn't activate. That lead me to believe that the switch was okay. But, these switches have two positions, one that 'clicks' and I believe that is to engage the proper gears/direction, and a second further position that then activates the motor.

I swapped the passenger and driver switches and the seat worked perfectly. So, I tore apart the bad switch and cleaned it a little. It didn't look that dirty, but when I reinstalled it, everything works again.

So, my next question to the forum...does anyone know where I can get a 1983 Riviera power seat switch for the driver's seat. It seems like having a spare would be a good idea.

[Rivieraman]

I have one where can i ship it

Okay, cancel this. It is the switch, not the power seat itself. I noticed that the seat would 'click' when I pushed the switch, but the motor wouldn't activate. That lead me to believe that the switch was okay. But, these switches have two positions, one that 'clicks' and I believe that is to engage the proper gears/direction, and a second further position that then activates the motor.

I swapped the passenger and driver switches and the seat worked perfectly. So, I tore apart the bad switch and cleaned it a little. It didn't look that dirty, but when I reinstalled it, everything works again.

So, my next question to the forum...does anyone know where I can get a 1983 Riviera power seat switch for the driver's seat. It seems like having a spare would be a good idea.

[Guest merrillcrosbie]

Great! I sent you a PM.

[RivNut]

Are the tabs for the mounting screws in the middle on each end or does one end have the mounting tab more toward the side? There were different switches. Ask me how I know.

Ed

[Guest merrillcrosbie]

The mounting screws are on opposite corners, or kittycorner from each other. They are not centered on each end of the switch. I did notice that when I mounted the passenger switch on the driver side to test the seat, everything worked, but it worked backwards. So I know that there are at least 2 unique switches in each Riviera, but if there are also different mounting screw positions it may be a nightmare to find the right switch.

[RivNut]

I have a driver's side seat switch that has the rear mounting tab on the left; the front mounting tab is centered. on the rear tab is a cast number a backwards 9 then 248 some space then a 2. I wonder just how many different versions there are? Anyone need an inexpensive spare? $10 plus shipping.

[Sethlangford]

Do you still have  the switch? 

[RivNut]

This is a 8 year old thread. In 2018, I took ALL my stuff for the 79 -  85 Rivieras to the ROA meet. What I didn't sell, I traded for the  ROAs  complimentary beer.