G X B
New member
At 35k miles my lumbar support quit working. I only found info on previous generation 4runners online, most of the storylines went about how the dealer wanted $500 when the motor just had to get manually unstuck. I wanted to take a peek on my own before getting it fixed under warranty, my cars somehow tend to return with new nicks and scratches from repair shops. So here is what I've learned plus some photos.
The lumbar assembly can be accessed by partially removing the back side of the driver's seat cover. Untuck the zipper ends at both bottom corners, run one of the zipper tabs up and around from one corner all the way to the other. Fast forward in time, in order to close the zipper; grab and pull downward the untucked end with one hand and pull the tab up with your other hand, pulling just on the tab alone won't be enough.
Although I bought the car brand new, the plastic protective film under the seat cover was already torn halfway thru along the perforated line.
The lumbar motor is on the left side. It did not make a sound when I operated the switch but quickly became hot to the touch so I figured the switch should be fine. To follow protocol I unhooked the blue connector from the motor to check voltage with a multimeter. The plug has one of those push-release tabs located on the far side, it was a real pain to hold the tiny tab down to free the plug from the socket. Voltage checked ok both ways so I plugged the wiring harness back in.
The motor/winch unit is affixed to the frame with a seemingly permanent rivet, I would love to know if there is a separate part number just for these or the whole lumbar assembly needs to be replaced if the motor fails.
I assumed the motor is turning the bowden winch thru a worm gear similar to older 4runners. I removed the two mounting bolts at the top of the motor (the rear one requires some patience), then asked my son to toggle the switch while I held the motor in place. After few clicks and slight wiggles things have snapped back in place and the motor was running like new. I can't recall which way but by pressing the switch we made the motor pull itself up against the housing before putting the two bolts back in place.
On the positive side, the lumbar support works again. On the negative side, it's still hard as frock.
The lumbar assembly can be accessed by partially removing the back side of the driver's seat cover. Untuck the zipper ends at both bottom corners, run one of the zipper tabs up and around from one corner all the way to the other. Fast forward in time, in order to close the zipper; grab and pull downward the untucked end with one hand and pull the tab up with your other hand, pulling just on the tab alone won't be enough.
Although I bought the car brand new, the plastic protective film under the seat cover was already torn halfway thru along the perforated line.
The lumbar motor is on the left side. It did not make a sound when I operated the switch but quickly became hot to the touch so I figured the switch should be fine. To follow protocol I unhooked the blue connector from the motor to check voltage with a multimeter. The plug has one of those push-release tabs located on the far side, it was a real pain to hold the tiny tab down to free the plug from the socket. Voltage checked ok both ways so I plugged the wiring harness back in.
The motor/winch unit is affixed to the frame with a seemingly permanent rivet, I would love to know if there is a separate part number just for these or the whole lumbar assembly needs to be replaced if the motor fails.
I assumed the motor is turning the bowden winch thru a worm gear similar to older 4runners. I removed the two mounting bolts at the top of the motor (the rear one requires some patience), then asked my son to toggle the switch while I held the motor in place. After few clicks and slight wiggles things have snapped back in place and the motor was running like new. I can't recall which way but by pressing the switch we made the motor pull itself up against the housing before putting the two bolts back in place.
On the positive side, the lumbar support works again. On the negative side, it's still hard as frock.
