All:

I searched the forum, and couldn't find an applicable thread for this issue, so forgive me if this is a common question!

I got rid of my last Jaguar and figured I probably wouldn't get another. I bought a BMW M5 and my wife hated it...so I went out and bought another Jag!

I just brought this one home from the dealer last night. It's a 2005 XJ Vanden Plas and it's gorgeous...BUT...the driver seat tilt motor doesn't work. Everything else on the seat works fine, and you can hear the "click" when the relay tries to kick in the tilt motor, but the motor just doesn't go.

I'm guessing the problem is either a broken gear or an inoperable motor.

My questions:

1. Am I correct in my assumptions? Could there be something else I'm missing?

2. Can someone direct me to a link with a diagram of the seat, or a how-to on how to take it apart? I have them for my XKR, but that doesn't help much.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Dave

 

When you say 'tilt' I assume you mean the seat 'rake' adjustment, not the backrest recline. The rake adjustment motor is located in the frame underneath the cushion, and is controlled via the Driver Seat Module, also located on the frame underneath the cushion. I only have the 2003.50 Technical Notes which only show the location of the seat adjustment components. Whilst the rake motor looks easily accessible once the cushion is removed, the DSM is right underneath, and looks as if it can only be removed once the seat underside is accessible, i.e seat is removed from the car.

 

Thanks!!!

I think it's the backrest recline. The seat itself goes back and forward just fine - it's the back of the seat that's locked in the upright position (kind of like the airlines!) It's a PITA to drive, which is why I got a pretty decent deal from the dealer when I told them I'd inherit the seat issue.

Dave

 

And just so we're all on the same page, it's the function that goes along with this switch...backrest forward/aft movement...

 

Well in that case, cancel my last advice ! The backrest recline motor is on the lower left side of the backrest, looking forward from the back of the seat. It may be accessible by taking off the rear cover to the backrest, but how that is done, I know not. You might be better taking the car to a Jaguar specialist.

It could be the adjuster switch has failed. Have you tried to raise the headrests using that button ? I don't have the fuses list in front of me, but you could try checking to see what is fused in the seat adjust area.

Do all the other adjustments work ?

 

GREAT idea! I had no idea the headrests were powered (cool!!!) I tried the switch out on the passenger side to see how it worked and it works fine over there. The switch on the driver's side...no luck.

So what I'm guessing is that it might not be the motor for the recliner, but it appears that the four-way switch is bad, since neither the recliner nor the headrests operate with the switch.

All of the other operations on the driver's seat operate (lumbar, forward/aft movement, etc.) so I'm pretty certain the seat module is working fine - it's just that one four way switch (with the red arrow in my photo above).

That said, when I operate the switch, you can hear relays clicking, but nothing moves. My guess is that if the fuse blew, I wouldn't hear that...unless the fuse controls the recliner and the headrest raise/lower motors (always a possibility!)

Also to note (as an aside) is that the key fobs aren't working for the car either. They worked yesterday at the dealership (I used them) but when I got home...no luck. Strange??? (I've had to manually open and close the doors with the key...)

Back to the seat control...I took a look under the seat and it appears the seat switch assembly is held on with screws from the backside, which would neccesitate removing the seat to get to the switches. Am I correct on that? I'm cautious removing anything that I don't know how to do correctly as I busted up the seat switch on my XKR by doing it the wrong way the first time (though it could be removed while the seat was still in the car...kind of handy for troubleshooting...)

Thanks for the assist!!!!!

Dave

 

Looking at the parts diagram (see below) it appears that the seat switch (#12 below) has to be replaced in it's entirety. It's not really expensive, so that's a good thing. Just hope that's what the problem is!!

Couple of questions:

1. Is the driver's seat considered the "Left" or "Right" seat?

2. What's the color of the interior on my car? I assumed it was Ivory, but there's also dove, sand, and champagne...based on my photo above, thoughts?

3. What size Torx screws are holding the seat in place? I need to buy one...I'm guessing a T60??

Thanks!

Dave

 

Left and Right for cars is taken from direction of forward travel, so in the USA, the driver's seat is the left seat, and in England its the right hand one.

I think we need to see a picture with more of the leather in it before calling judgment on the colour. FWIW my 2003 catalogue for the X350 has "Sand" and "Ivory" leather. Your's looks like Sand, which is darker than Ivory (my car). There may be other colours for 2005.

Pass on the Torx screws size. Pleased to see you are going to have a go at a fix. Problems with stuff like this can be a real PIA as the seats are dismantled only very rarely !

 

Thanks Fraser!

Here's a picture of the inside. I'm tending towards Ivory on it, but I'm open to other opinions.

The only thing I'm worried about is the fact the relays still "click" when the switch is moved. That shows me the switches are still powered...but it's strange that they have no effect on the applicable motors. I'm hoping it's not a seat control module because that's a bit more expensive than just the switch module.

I ordered a full set of torx drivers and sockets today...should have them sometime this week and can get about taking it apart!

Dave

 

Hey, that looks like Dove Grey on the picture. Definitely NOT Sand ! Did you take the pic in daylight ?

 

That's actually from the dealer's website...I've only had the car for about two days...and one of the days it was pouring rain! I'll see if I can get a better pic tonight. I'm thinking the color should be listed somewhere on the paperwork...maybe...

Dave

 

Looks like ivory, I have had both colors (dove on the STR & ivory on the XK8). Not certain it is the switchpack, but easy to test, just be very careful taking it apart as the sliding switch covers are spring loaded.

 

Send me a PM with the last six digits of your VIN# and an email address and I'll get you all of your colors etc. Makes things much easier, saves headaches.

Cheers,

 

When I got my 2005 VDP, my passenger seat wouldn't raise and lower the seat bottom. I too could hear the clicking but no movement.

My dealer lubricated the "screw" and the problem was resolved. The lube stunk up the car for a week! In my case the screw was at the extreme travel point (all the way down).

It doesn't seem likely that both your backrest and headrest would both need to be lubricated, but I thought I would throw it out anyway....

 

Just got the car back from the dealer (they had to smog it, do safety inspections, etc...) I popped the seat and found this. I can't find my wiring digram right off, but I'm guessing this wire is the 12V power to the two recline and headrest motors.

Thoughts??

Dave

 

I pulled the connector, removed the old wire, re-crimped the remaining wire into the connector and..........

VIOLA! It worked!



Chock one up to an easy answer...lucky this time!!

Dave

 

Way to go Dave!

We love a cheap and easy fix!

 

Thanks!

Here was the culprit...

 

Wow!!! Very nice.

 

How easy is it to open up the seat? The driver-side headrest motor isn't working for me. Like you though, I can hear the relays clicking, and fortunately the headrest can be manually adjusted, so it isn't a big deal.