100% Free

No Scanner Needed

Carly logo

Carly Community

simonhofmann10

C3 Electric Seat Failure

My 2009 C3 diesel has a weird electrical issue. The passenger electric seat is unresponsive. My OBD2 reader shows an error stored in the error memory related to the seat, but no specific code. The seat adjustment isn't working, no movement. I suspect the battery, but I'm not sure where to start. Anyone seen this before?

4 comment(s)

maxschneider9

I had a similar issue in my C3, though I didn't check for error codes. Is it completely dead, or does it sometimes work intermittently? Check the seat switch first; sometimes they get gunked up. After that, inspect the wiring harness under the seat. Could be a loose connector or a broken wire. If you have a multimeter, check for voltage at the seat motor when you try to adjust it. No voltage = wiring or switch. Voltage = motor issue. Don't forget to check the fuse related to the electric seats!

simonhofmann10 (Author)

Thanks for the quick reply! By 'gunked up,' do you mean just general dust and grime, or something more specific? And with the wiring harness, is there any particular area that's prone to damage? I'd rather not rip the whole thing apart if I can avoid it. Also, do you know where to find the fuse?

maxschneider9

Yeah, just general dust and grime, maybe some spilled coffee if you're unlucky. A good clean with electrical contact cleaner might do the trick. As for the wiring harness, check where it bends or flexes when the seat moves. Those are usually the weak points. Honestly though, my C3 did this, I spent ages fiddling then ended up taking it to a workshop. They said it was a defective seat motor and replaced it. Might be worth getting a proper diagnostic check.

simonhofmann10 (Author)

Good point about just getting it checked. I've booked it into a local garage. They've quoted around 290€ for a new motor and fitting, which seems reasonable enough. I will post an outcome once it's sorted. Appreciate the help!

Join the discussion now: