Electric seat failure
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You'll probably find fuse references here - a treasure trove of Biturbo info. previously made available by a chap called Maurizio:
Hi,
Thanks for the prompt reply.
I have a download of the workshop manual, I bought this car new, from Meridian, in 1994 and I have driven every one of its 34000 miles.
I thought I knew where everything was but I’m blowed if I can locate the fuse or possible thermal cutout.
All motors were working and still do by direct connection.
Frustrating as it’s the only thing on the car that doesn’t work but there again it will prevent my wife from having a go!.
Regards,
David
Wow, that's a fabulous commitment to the marque. Bet you still recall the first mile as vividly as the most recent. Must admit, I didn't read the manual but had assumed the fuse box would have been covered. Do you think Enrico's would be a better bet?
Would love to see a photo if you get a spare moment.
Would love to see a photo if you get a spare moment.
Yes, I bought it for my 40th birthday in November 94 and it was freezing cold.
Picked it up, drove 5 miles and turned back because the heater would only put out luke warm air!
This was the only problem I’ve had with reliability up until last week when the seat adjustment failed.
Apart from the original and a replacement at an early service I’ve now replaced the cambelt 6 times doing that and all servicing myself.
Over the past 18 months I completely stripped the car down, inside and out, cut out everything that looked rusty and did all the body preparation for spraying, hence I thought I knew where everything was!
Replaced all bushes and dampers, discs, brakes, fuel system, water pump, distributor,
goes better than the Lavante and the paint finish is MUCH better!
David.
Hi David, thanks for sharing your photos, nice to see a pair of Masers in the "correct" colour. 
Near perfect reliability and self-service over that period is not just impressive but inspirational. Very well played sir. A complete strip down must have tested that resolve but looks stunning for it. Did you document your rebuild? Neil.
Near perfect reliability and self-service over that period is not just impressive but inspirational. Very well played sir. A complete strip down must have tested that resolve but looks stunning for it. Did you document your rebuild? Neil.
Hi Neil, kind words thank you.
I‘ve been rebuilding things for over 50 years now, both cars and bikes. My wife always says I never take enough photos but I’ll post a few, unfortunately I’m on one or two as she took them!
There are a few others of what may be of interest, the black mini is one of 4 prototypes done by John Cooper in 1990, 2 were written off and JCW have the other, the white one I fitted everything to make it go, stop and handle. I fitted a supercharger and it’s good for 130 bhp, an absolute beast!.
The Elan I’ve owned 43 years and I’m about to start its fourth rebuild!
Regards,
David.
I‘ve been rebuilding things for over 50 years now, both cars and bikes. My wife always says I never take enough photos but I’ll post a few, unfortunately I’m on one or two as she took them!
There are a few others of what may be of interest, the black mini is one of 4 prototypes done by John Cooper in 1990, 2 were written off and JCW have the other, the white one I fitted everything to make it go, stop and handle. I fitted a supercharger and it’s good for 130 bhp, an absolute beast!.
The Elan I’ve owned 43 years and I’m about to start its fourth rebuild!
Regards,
David.
Attachments
I appreciate this is a Maserati site but sitting on a modern space frame chassis with adjustable shock absorbers, sorted brakes and transmission, the Elan is the best handling car I have driven, period.
The Lavante is a great long distance tourer and takes some beating. The best advice I would give to anyone considering one is find one with the Bowers and Wilkins sound system, is over 1200 watts of magnificence!
David.
The Lavante is a great long distance tourer and takes some beating. The best advice I would give to anyone considering one is find one with the Bowers and Wilkins sound system, is over 1200 watts of magnificence!
David.
Sorted the seat problem.
Up above the glove box, behind the left air vent, there is a plate that has the control unit for the central locking and also a bi- metallic strip which is the overload cut out for the seats.
This was all working fine but there is an in-line fuse as well which was the problem.
Hope this helps if anyone develops the same problem 👍
Up above the glove box, behind the left air vent, there is a plate that has the control unit for the central locking and also a bi- metallic strip which is the overload cut out for the seats.
This was all working fine but there is an in-line fuse as well which was the problem.
Hope this helps if anyone develops the same problem 👍
Hi David,
thank you so much for your thread! I didn't strip my *87 420 Si but I did refurbish both front seats, inlcuding derusting the frames, new paint, cleaned the paddings, the leather, the alcantara and put everything back (the car obviously parked outside for many, many years). Of course, I cleaned and lubed all the spindels, dissambled the back rest motors, ensuring that everything is in good condition when reassembling the seats. But then, same as in your case, out of a sudden, no power to all seat motors! I consulted the Biturbozentrum and the German Maserti Forum, no usefull hints. Tried to understans the wiring, failed. So after all, I found your thread, replaced the fuse, everything works well now!
And hey, great story about your cars and rebuilded everything by yourselve!
regards,
Alex
thank you so much for your thread! I didn't strip my *87 420 Si but I did refurbish both front seats, inlcuding derusting the frames, new paint, cleaned the paddings, the leather, the alcantara and put everything back (the car obviously parked outside for many, many years). Of course, I cleaned and lubed all the spindels, dissambled the back rest motors, ensuring that everything is in good condition when reassembling the seats. But then, same as in your case, out of a sudden, no power to all seat motors! I consulted the Biturbozentrum and the German Maserti Forum, no usefull hints. Tried to understans the wiring, failed. So after all, I found your thread, replaced the fuse, everything works well now!
And hey, great story about your cars and rebuilded everything by yourselve!
regards,
Alex
Hi Alex,
Pleased my post helped you out!
Another useful tip is if you constantly have a wet carpet in the footwell, as I did,
it is caused by condensation forming on the square metal valve adjacent to the heater/aircon unit, then it drips onto the floor,
The valve and the pipe work are poorly insulated. I encased mine with Milliput, which is a two pack epoxy putty, it took 4 packets but it has solved the problem.
Regards,
David.
Thanks David for the hint!
Didn't occour (yet) on mine, probably because the air conditions still does not work. Something for the coming winter..., spare parts already in my worksho!
Have a good day,
Alex
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