Lumbar pump

[efnfast]

Doing a search, all I seem to find is repair it with a rubber glove. Don't know if the diaphram is torn or not, but all the pump does is go "thunk-thunk". I would think if the diaphram were torn it would run but not pump. Mine doesn't seem to even run.

Thanks for any help. Steve

[VetteMed]

Correct, the pumps with the bad diaphragm will run but not build any pressure.

The 94+ seats used a different style pump from the 90-93, just so you know. Not sure what year your car is.

I'd suggest pulling the lower seat cushion, to see if you've got voltage at the connector for the pump when you hit the switch. If so, then perhaps the motor of the pump is bad.

[efnfast]

Thanks Vettemed, the car is a 1990. I should have mentioned that, I saw looking through posts that they were different. No easy place to check voltage, but it pulls about 2 amps when I hit the switch and goes thunk.

[VetteMed]

can't you disconnect the harness where it plugs into the pump and measure voltage at the connector terminals?

If it's the pump going "thunk" and not a relay, then it sounds like a bad motor to me.

[efnfast]

And just where might I find a new motor these days?

[VetteMed]

probably not gonna find new, used will be your best bet I suspect.

[Corvettes White]

...repair it with a rubber glove. ...Thanks for any help. Steve

I cut a diaphram from a thin bicycle tube (not the thorn proof ) The pump now works and was very easy to accomplish. To the point that even if I did need a new 20 year old used motor, I would change out the diaphram first anyway.

George

[Hammer]

If you haven't opened the motor up, I would suggest doing that before looking for a new one. When I fixed mine, the diaphram was hung up inside. I had to free the motor thingee from it and then the motor worked. maybe your motor has encountered the same problem.

[-=Jeff=-]

If you haven't opened the motor up, I would suggest doing that before looking for a new one. When I fixed mine, the diaphram was hung up inside. I had to free the motor thingee from it and then the motor worked. maybe your motor has encountered the same problem.

I was going to post the same.

I know I had a few pumps at one time, I am not sure I have any extras, but I bet the piece the connects the pump to the diaphragm is stuck

[scottfab]

As has been mentioned several times. These are very fixable. On a scale of difficulty from 1 - 10 I'd put this as a 2.
A "1" would be changing you oil.

I too used thin inner tube to fix mine in 99. Hasn't failed again since. Others have used kitchen/bathroom cleaning gloves.

[efnfast]

Tore into it tonight. The diaphram was mush and the actuating arm had fallen off and was binding the motor, hence the thunk. Cut up one of the wifes kitchen gloves (don't tell her please), reasembled it, presto, I have lumbar support. Thanks guys.=D> :handshak::cheers:

Steve:saluting:

[VetteMed]

Tore into it tonight. The diaphram was mush and the actuating arm had fallen off and was binding the motor, hence the thunk. Cut up one of the wifes kitchen gloves (don't tell her please), reasembled it, presto, I have lumbar support. Thanks guys.=D> :handshak::cheers:

Steve:saluting:

Hey, nice job. I'm glad to be wrong in cases like this!:o

[efnfast]

The diapham was mush, and the center had fallen out. I think the hardest part was getting the 10mm mounting bolts out. Couldn't get a socket on them so I ended up turning them with needle nose pliers. Works like a charm. Thanks

[Z51JEFF]

The diaphragm keeps the piston centered,lose the diaphragm and the piston flops around.All of the motor-pump parts are still available,I just saw a set somewhere on the internet.

[scottfab]

One favor you an do yourself is to cut multiple replacement diaphragms and leave them in a zip lock bag right there next to the pump. I you use the lumbar pump a lot like I do you'll thank yourself later.
;)