First "Real" Issue (Factory)!

MeBe4running

New member
Well... 50,000 miles in and I have hit my first issue with the truck that isn't mod induced or self inflected! Fortunately it’s not anything major, however its something I use daily that bugs me enough that it not working.

The Lumbar.... Has completely stopped working. Its makes the noise but doesn't move AT ALL. So I went to a Toyota dealer in Denver, Co and they said "blah, blah blah, about $300+ labor estimate.: toilet: "you what'! Yeah f***ing right.:rant:

Facts: It’s out of coverage of which is three years, or 35,000 miles whatever comes first? I DONT have the extended warranty! And I’m not paying that for something that minor!

Well I have searched this forum and found people with issues like: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/87751-power-lumbar-seat-issue-cracking-feeling.html but not anybody who has actually had there’s failed on them.

Any thoughts or suggestions before I go old school and whip out the toolbox, scratch my ass and work it out myself?

Cheers in Advance!
 
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Well... 50,000 miles in and I have hit my first issue with the truck that isn't mod induced or self inflected! Fortunately it’s not anything major, however its something I use daily that bugs me enough that it not working.

The Lumbar.... Has completely stopped working. Its makes the noise but doesn't move AT ALL. So I went to a Toyota dealer in Denver, Co and they said "blah, blah blah, about $300+ labor estimate.: toilet: "you what'! Yeah f***ing right.:rant:

Facts: It’s out of coverage of which is three years, or 35,000 miles whatever comes first? I DONT have the extended warranty! And I’m not paying that for something that minor!

Well I have searched this forum and found people with issues like: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/87751-power-lumbar-seat-issue-cracking-feeling.html but not anybody who has actually had there’s failed on them.

Any thoughts or suggestions before I go old school and whip out the toolbox, scratch my ass and work it out myself?

Cheers in Advance!

Mine failed the first time I tried to use it, which was about 6 months after purchase. They (Toy) replaced the whole lumbar system. . I was told they could not figure out why it failed, but it seemed to be in the switch. Sorry I could not be of more help. Be safe.
 
Mine failed the first time I tried to use it, which was about 6 months after purchase. They (Toy) replaced the whole lumbar system. . I was told they could not figure out why it failed, but it seemed to be in the switch. Sorry I could not be of more help. Be safe.

Jtraskell, this is good to know. I appreciate you telling me. By any chance is your 4runner one of the earlier one's (Like early 2010-June)?

Thanks again!
 
Mine failed the first time I tried to use it, which was about 6 months after purchase. They (Toy) replaced the whole lumbar system. . I was told they could not figure out why it failed, but it seemed to be in the switch. Sorry I could not be of more help. Be safe.

how did you feel it break? I hear mine crackle all the time, i thought it was the wax on the chair lol.
 
Mine stopped working about 6 months ago. I was about to take truck to the dealer but decided to play with lumbar support switch first. I pressed the switch a few times, pressed and held it for both directions and somehow it started working again and happilly works since then. And somehow lumbar support stopped crunching by itself just before I was time to change oil and mention about lumbar support to a dealer : )
 
Didn't I tell you to buy a jeep instead? :hiding:

A few days ago somebody posted about getting parts from a 4R junker that was totalled by hail or something. May have even been in your neck of the woods.

Good luck!
 
how did you feel it break? I hear mine crackle all the time, i thought it was the wax on the chair lol.

I never felt it break. I tried it once and it worked, then a few seconds later tried to readjust, no go. It just died. Even after multiple attempts by myself and the dealer, could not get it to work.

I never felt or heard any "crunching" like others have mentioned, and even after replacing the whole lumbar support unit, still no crunching.
 
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Well... 50,000 miles in and I have hit my first issue with the truck that isn't mod induced or self inflected! Fortunately it’s not anything major, however its something I use daily that bugs me enough that it not working.

The Lumbar.... Has completely stopped working. Its makes the noise but doesn't move AT ALL. So I went to a Toyota dealer in Denver, Co and they said "blah, blah blah, about $300+ labor estimate.: toilet: "you what'! Yeah f***ing right.:rant:

Facts: It’s out of coverage of which is three years, or 35,000 miles whatever comes first? I DONT have the extended warranty! And I’m not paying that for something that minor!

Well I have searched this forum and found people with issues like: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/87751-power-lumbar-seat-issue-cracking-feeling.html but not anybody who has actually had there’s failed on them.

Any thoughts or suggestions before I go old school and whip out the toolbox, scratch my ass and work it out myself?

Cheers in Advance!

There is not much that can actually go wrong with the powered lumbar support. A little troubleshooting first will save you much $$$ later. Here is what could be wrong:

1. Check switch operation by checking power to motor. If power is getting to motor then
2. Check motor. Is motor trying to move the apparatus on the track? If so then
3. Check track and lumbar operation.

It has to be one of these three items. Replacing them yourself will save you later. So, have fun and let me know. If not then spend the $500 and enjoy!

Here is a pic Harper posted awhile back. This should let you know what you are getting into.
 

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1engineer,

WOW, thank you. I will commence my dig this saturday to hopefully find the solution to the problem, I will keep you posted to the outcome. I appreciate the time you took to explain that and post harper's image. Good man!

:thanks:
 
Fixed! :-)

:reddance:

Antman you where close. Engineer1, your post really helped, so thank you!

So it turned out that the spring which is attached at the bottom of the cable had somehow come off! A simple fix after all. See image for further clarification: :boink::reddance:

Dealer 0, MeBe4running 1

Thanks for all your help guys!

Have a great Monday!
 

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AWESOME! I bet that spring is what's creaking and popping for everyone too. Then again, maybe I should just quit betting... Congrats, bro- nice fix, I like it!
 
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AWESOME! I bet that spring is what's creaking and popping for everyone too. Then again, maybe I should just quit betting... Congrats, bro- nice fix, like it!

Cheers man! It always feels good to have done it yourself and know you saved money at the same time. I agree, I bet that is exactly part of the issue with the popping and crunching etc...
 

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