Lumbar issues

[12guns]

My lumbar adjustment was working only when it wanted to for the longest. Recently it quit all together. I searched and found little to nothing.
I pulled the side panel and checked the plug which was connected and did not seem losose. Anybody have the same issues?
Anybody know how to access the motor? I may dig in tonight and see what I find. Thought I'd ask here first.
Thanks

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Same issue since I got mine, never looked into it or found a fix.

 

[TRDCal]

Same here...luckily enough it failed in a comfortable state so it's not a huge deal but it's nice when everything works properly.

 

[12guns]

Sure would like to find a fix. Mine seems to have crapped out deflated, or lost air over time. I've been fighting back problems and need the lumbar support. Tomorrow I should have time to look into it. We'll see.

 

[dannyg]

Did you ever find out what the problem is?

 

[TRDCal]

Did you ever find out what the problem is?

Pretty sure the lumbar motors quit. I was thinking of taking mine apart to see if I could get it to work but its been too cold out.

 

[dannyg]

Pretty sure the lumbar motors quit. I was thinking of taking mine apart to see if I could get it to work but its been too cold out.

Gotcha, please let us know if you find anything out. I wish I could get mine working again

 

[fogcitysurfer]

Mine doesn't work very well either. The motors are about $500 bucks! The dealer printed me out an exploded view of the seat. There is no airbag for the lumbar. Looks like the motor turns an arm that pushes on a curved plate that moves forward and backward. Someday I will take mine apart to see what is not working. Seems to be a common problem.

 

[toybox]

Digging up an old thread here but has anyone found a fix to this problem? I would really like this thing to work. Or at least I would like to have it permanently in the "boosted" position. Right now it seems to be in the collapsed position.

 

[TRDCal]

I didn't end up looking too much into it since mine failed in a comfortable position

 

[BlackWorksInc]

The lumbar system on the 4Runners is a mechanical system versus an air bladder like many systems. Its a bar with two rounded tabs that rotates via a motor to increase or decrease the lumbar support.

There are a couple things that I've noticed happen with the system;

One, the motor fails outright (expensive little bugger too... still about $500!)

Two, the tabs bend/break off and no longer provide support.

Three, on sharp bumps/jounces the human body can jam up the mechanism and lock it up.

The last one is what happened to me last year, had my extended warranty buy me a new motor to install and found out the old one was perfectly fine, the issue was that the gear mesh got jammed up and needed to be loosened up and the tabs rebent. I think I might reweld them later down the line.

 

[TRDCal]

The last one is what happened to me last year, had my extended warranty buy me a new motor to install

That could work well for you...bring your truck in for warranty work and request yourself as the mechanic, then you're getting paid to work on your truck lol

 

[gaterose]

Same issue here, I've never really used it though so I've just ignored the problem.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

That could work well for you...bring your truck in for warranty work and request yourself as the mechanic, then you're getting paid to work on your truck lol

Well what happened is when I bought the 4Runner I had no credit history, good credit (dad built up credit on cards in my name for years, but there was like an 8 year gap before I even bothered with anything credit related) so my bedt friend co-signed. To get the interest rate low his name went first, so the warranty only shows his name as the holder.

What's even more funny is that the service write just dispatches the RO to me out of laziness and because the trucks already here. When they send an inspector I just tell them how its my friends truck (not entirely untrue ) and how I help him out a lot and stuff.

I know its really sleazy... but the salesman sold me the extended warranty with $0 deductible KNOWING I was a Toyota tech, so I don't feel guilty. Hell, the extended warranty has more than paid for itself almost double what I paid now and I still have another year or so left. :hatsoff:

PS- If it does turn out to be the motor, let me know I think I still have my old good motor lying about; I'll cut you a deal on it.

 

[TRDCal]

PS- If it does turn out to be the motor, let me know I think I still have my old good motor lying about; I'll cut you a deal on it.

Thanks but I can't be bothered to remove the seat. Hows that for laziness haha

 

[Soulman]

Anyone ever find a fix for this? I may be interested in your old motor Black if you still have it. Mine does nothing.....except annoy me:gun5:

 

[wrestler157]

I know mine if I unzip the back of my seat and press the button and move it it will move then a few days later get stuck again. Not a complete fix but better than a 500 dollar motor

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Anyone ever find a fix for this? I may be interested in your old motor Black if you still have it. Mine does nothing.....except annoy me:gun5:

You may want to try and do what the above poster suggests. I am finding that the metal adjuster binds up and/or the tabs bend down over time so it doesn't feel as supportive (I wish I had pictures to show this) more than the motor failing.

 

[iBison]

It's a very expensive dealer repair. I got mine replaced just before the extended warranty ran out, otherwise I'd live with it.

 

[Soulman]

Thanks Guys, I will try unzipping the seat and looking at it before I spend $500. I will also live with it forever before I spend $500 on it :loco: