C4 Seat Lumber Pumps

[Vettech]

I think this subject has been minced over a few times, and I've  never followed thru with fixing them, but now I've four (4) seats to contend with.... time to bite the bullet.

First port of call will be a cycle shop. Stay tuned.

[MY081]

TUBES ?????????

[MY081]

Bicycle brake cables also make great emergency Bonnet pulls just hang it state down. Ray

[Vettech]

Yes - Tubes
When I can walk again and for that matter "drive" I'll ring a Joe I know will know.

These pumps are very simple, electric motor  turning a cam with an offset arm which pushes a pawl up and down, this has a rubber diaphram attached with screw and washer at its end, the resultant reciprocating action causes the diaphragm to draw air in and then pump it out - aided by a set of very tiny reed valves. The electrics on all four pumps are ok, the rubber diaphrams have literally gone to pieces.

[Vettech]

Very small - back together less the pawl and diaphragm.

[Vettech]

Sorry for lack of progress, but until I can walk, I cant do much, but I will be pursuing the bicycle inner tube and will let you know my progress if any.

[sirfixalot]

What about some sort of diaphram  from an aquarium shop may have something

[Vettech]

Yes Sirfixalot,  there is a bit on the net.

I have not pursued with lock down, also the C5 is small enough, bit dear and also prone to breakdown. Also Merc & BMW are small but I cant afford the 24ct Gold they are made out of (2nd hand complete units).

It always fasinates me as to why a quality company makes a quality high performance product and includes rubbish third party equipment that because of their location or function become the bane of owners. These minor systems cause an undue amount of bad feedback which reflects badly on the vehicle and therefore G.M.

OH! And to top it off, they either discontinue holding spares or the 3rd party supplier goes bust or as in this case is taken over, moves State, and doesnt want to know about previous issues - all they wanted was the trading name.

The ridiculous part is, there are thousands of C4's & C5's out there with buggered seat lumbar pumps, all would be very happy to purchase replacement parts - looks like an opportunity going begging. You can probably tell from my tone that the pain killers have not kicked in yet.

[Vettech]

Time to revive this problem.
After a visit to a friend, who gave me several differing sizes of modern day bicycle inner tubes, but allas none could fill the bill.
They were either too thick, too dense or had no elastic give.

In a cloud of depression I surfed the net, tried many different searches, then my "D4" ordered me a pump from Chinwa.
Unit & postage from Chinwa was around $20 but most likely it wont arrive with all this transport, covid and silly one upmanship going on between Pollies and stubborn governments, well into next year.

This unit will either totally replace or the diaphram could be swapped into the GM unit - if it works, then I'll get "D4" to order three more.

[MY081]

How about rubber gloves !! plenty of different thicknesses. Ray

[Vettech]

Yes Ray - been there, but same issues (including too thin/fragile), I'll just have to bide my time and wait for my item from Chinwa.
Never know it may be either a direct replacement or its parts will swap over.

I just luv waiting.

[MY081]

Yes you always seemed to be the PATIENT type !!!!!