Re: 164S Power Seats Fix

["efax.co.uk" <mark@domain.elided>]

I have a UK 164S or Green Cloverleaf as they were called overhear.

I have the optional 12way adjustable memory Recaro seats although I do not
know whether the American market got these or just the normal 6way ones,
either way the fix should be the same.

When I bought the car the rear seat high adjuster did not work and the seat
was stuck at its lowest point (which I did not mind as I am 6ft 4) but when
I had some time I looked to investigate the problem.

A local specialist firm told me the best fix for a stuck seat motor was a
light tap with a hammer, to help free it off, although once I had located
the correct motor for the rear seat high adjustment, which was at the front
right corner of the seat, I could see that the motor was infact trying to
turn.

After spending some time with lashings of penetrating oil and WD-40 at all
the mechanical junction points and lots of general pulling and pushing on
the seat to try and get it to move, nothing appeared to work. In the
mean-time I had just continually kept trying to work the switch up and down
and eventually the seat started moving without any further assistance.

Point to consider:

If you seat is not Recaro then this might not work.
If you seat is not stuck in the down position this fix is probably not for
you.
If you have no patients then why did you buy an Alfa, get some.
Do not try and fix the seat whilst sat in it as it is probably why it has
stopped working.


The seat is now working but not fixed, the motor will raise the seat fine,
but when sat in the seat it gives up after 1-2mm and requires constant
tapping to get the seat to raise fully and often will not first work without
lowering the seat a touch before asking it to go up.

In my opinion this appears to be a common problem as the passenger seat once
exhibited the same problem, my personal recommendation is to never leave the
seats fully lowered always leave a small amount or room of downward play so
that the seat can be sat in and lowered to get the motors working.

Additional point:

I have a four year old daughter and she loves to play with the power seats,
providing she is not going to trap her fingers, hurt herself or break the
switches every now and them I let her play with them (supervised) as at
least I know the switches and motors have had a good work.

These are my personal recommendations and as I am not an Alfa mechanic they
basically mean naff all, but if they help then that is what we are here for.

Mark
164S
Duetto

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