GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Lumbar Support Description and Operation w/o A45

Lumbar Support Components

The driver and passenger seat lumbar support systems each consist of the following components:

    • Lumbar Switch
    • Lumbar Horizontal Motor
    • Lumbar Vertical Motor
    • PWR SEAT Circuit Breaker 30 A

Power Lumbar Switch

The power lumbar switches provide both power and ground to the selected lumbar motors. Battery positive voltage is supplied at all times to the driver and passenger seat lumbar switches from the PWR SEAT Circuit Breaker located in the rear fuse block. Both lumbar switches are grounded through the switch ground circuit and G 301.

Motors

The lumbar system consists of two lumbar motors (horizontal and vertical) that operate independently of each other. The lumbar horizontal motor moves the lumbar support forward or rearward and the lumbar vertical motor moves the lumbar support up or down. Each motor contains an electronic circuit breaker (PTC) that opens in the event of a circuit overload and will reset only after voltage has been removed from the circuit.

Horizontal

When the lumbar switch is operated to move the lumbar support forward, battery positive voltage is applied through the switch contacts and the lumbar motor forward control circuit to the motor. The motor is grounded through the lumbar rearward switch contacts and the lumbar motor rearward control circuit to the motor. The motor runs to drive the lumbar support forward toward the occupant's back until the switch is released. Moving the lumbar support rearward works similarly to moving the lumbar support forward, except that battery positive voltage and ground are applied on opposite circuits causing the motor to run in the opposite direction.

Vertical

When the lumbar switch is operated to move the lumbar support up, battery positive voltage is applied through the switch contacts and the lumbar motor up control circuit to the motor. The motor is grounded through the lumbar down switch contacts and the lumbar motor down control circuit to the motor. The motor runs to drive the lumbar support up until the switch is released. Moving the lumbar support down works similarly to moving the lumbar support up, except that battery positive voltage and ground are applied on opposite circuits causing the motor to run in the opposite direction.

Lumbar Support Description and Operation with A45

Lumbar Support Components

The driver seat lumbar support system with memory (A45) consists of the following components:

    • Lumbar Switch
    • Memory Seat Module (MSM)
    • Lumbar Horizontal Motor
    • Lumbar Vertical Motor
    • Lumbar Horizontal Position Sensor
    • Lumbar Vertical Position Sensor
    • MEM Fuse 10 A

Lumbar Switch

Battery positive voltage is supplied at all times to the driver seat lumbar switch from the MEM Fuse located in the rear fuse block. When the lumbar switches are pressed they send a 12 volt signal to the MSM. The MSM then commands the lumbar motors to move in response to the switch signals.

Motors

The lumbar support system consists of two motors (horizontal and vertical) that operate independently of each other. The lumbar horizontal motor moves the lumbar support in the forward or rearward directions while the lumbar vertical motor moves the lumbar support in the up or down directions. Each motor contains a electronic circuit breaker (PTC) that opens in the event of a circuit overload and will reset only after voltage has been removed from the circuit. The memory seat module provides each motor with a soft stop that will actually stop the motor just before its physical end-of-travel. This decreases the stress on each motor. If a motor reaches the end-of-travel due a soft stop and the switch is released and pressed again, the lumbar support will move short distance farther to it's physical travel limit.

Horizontal

When the lumbar switch is operated to move the lumbar support forward, battery positive voltage is applied through the switch contacts and the driver seat lumbar forward switch signal circuit to the MSM. In response to this signal, the MSM applies battery positive voltage through the lumbar motor forward control circuit and ground through the lumbar motor rearward control circuit to the motor. The motor runs to drive the lumbar support forward toward the occupant's back until the switch is released. Moving the lumbar support rearward works similarly to moving the lumbar support forward, except that battery positive voltage and ground are applied on the opposite circuits causing the motor to run in the opposite direction. The MSM also controls the lumbar horizontal motor during memory recall functions.

Vertical

When the lumbar switch is operated to move the lumbar support up, battery positive voltage is applied through the switch contacts and the driver seat lumbar up switch signal circuit to the MSM. In response to this signal, the MSM applies battery positive voltage through the lumbar motor up control circuit and ground through the lumbar motor down control circuit to the motor. The motor runs to drive the lumbar support up until the switch is released. Moving the lumbar support down works similarly to moving the lumbar support up, except that battery positive voltage and ground are applied on the opposite circuits causing the motor to run in the opposite direction. The MSM also controls the lumbar vertical motor during memory recall functions.

Position Sensors

The lumbar position sensors are potentiometers which are attached directly to each lumbar motor. The MSM supplies a 5 volt reference voltage through the 5 volt reference circuit and ground through the low reference circuit to each lumbar position sensor. When the lumbar motor rotates, the resistance of the potentiometer varies changing the feedback voltage of the position sensor signal circuit. This voltage varies from 0.25-4.75 volts. The MSM monitors this voltage signal to determine the lumbar position.

When a memory set command is received, the MSM records the lumbar position by storing the feedback voltage from each position sensor. Then, when a memory recall command is received, the MSM moves the motors until the position sensor feedback voltages equals the feedback voltages stored in memory. The lumbar support is not involved in the easy exit function.

Memory Functions

Refer to Memory Seats Description and Operation .