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Power Lumbar dead

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Scaurex, Dec 8, 2015.

  1. Scaurex

    Scaurex Junior Member

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    2010 Prius
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    My power lumbar seems to have stopped working recently, I checked the fuses (i think, #8 and #11 under the dash by the drivers left foot, 30amp, purple topped weird looking fuse)
    Found something that looks like a fuse under the drivers seat, but it's just some kind of junction box/link.

    Am I missing anything else?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wiring harness okay?
     
  3. Scaurex

    Scaurex Junior Member

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    I think the wires are ok. I traced them under the seat (white with black stripe) and don't see an issue or another fuse.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    switch?
     
  5. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Get your meter out and use this.
     

    Attached Files:

  6. Scaurex

    Scaurex Junior Member

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    Thanks everyone for the help, the lumbar was killing me as someone else had used my car and cranked up the lumbar. I usually have it at zero so I need to do something.
    Took matters into my own hands (no warranty left on my car) and opened the back of the seat to gain access. There is a black elastic worked around the seat springs that holds the bottom 4 inch flap, just unwind it for access to the upholstery "hog rings" and cut those (3), then undo the 2 zippers and you are there. My car has factory leather, so i'm not sure if it's the same on the fabric seats.

    I could hear the motor click slightly when the switch was depressed, so I figured it had power, I gave it a few whacks with some pliers and it worked! Looks like it's a power window motor that runs the mechanics of the lumbar.
    I used zip ties to replace the hog rings and put it back together. I couldn't find any pics of what the power lumbar system looked like anywhere, so I thought I would add some to the fix description.

    IMG_4564.JPG IMG_4562.JPG IMG_4561.JPG
     
    bisco likes this.
  7. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    My lumbar is air pressure, and I see air hoses in the second picture, but I would think that a window motor would be good for moving the seat in the many directions it moves, not being a wise guy just wondering.
     
  8. Scaurex

    Scaurex Junior Member

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    Those aren't air hoses, it's a type of rubber hose used to attach the foam seat cushion. If you look closely you can see it flares out after the hog ring.
    I'll attach a better picture.


    IMG_4558.JPG
     
    #8 Scaurex, Dec 8, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2015