Front Seats Won't Recline
Thread Starter
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Merlin 91/97
I've got the same problem on my 91...... anyone have any diagrams as to howto check those two possible options?
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41,391
Likes: 30
From: Enfield, CT
Hi everyone 
remember me? Been busy.. busy busy
The one thing that I wonder about is both seats are doing the same thing. It'* doubtful both motors could be having a problem on both seats.
Here'* the underneath of a seat.
We can see the motors, and the green and blue cables..those are the drive cables. The motor drives the cable and the cable drives the actuator gearnut. I would think maybe the switch was an issue, since you guys say you can hear something trying..it can't be the problem.
If possible I would test power from the switch, through the relay and right to the motor. That will resolve if power is getting there or stopping at a bad relay. Then disconnect the drive cable and see if the motor turns it freely. From there all that would be left is the actuator gearnut....but like I said..since both do it....I suspect something that controls both seats. Therefore I'd think electrical before the motors.
remember me? Been busy.. busy busyThe one thing that I wonder about is both seats are doing the same thing. It'* doubtful both motors could be having a problem on both seats.
Here'* the underneath of a seat.
We can see the motors, and the green and blue cables..those are the drive cables. The motor drives the cable and the cable drives the actuator gearnut. I would think maybe the switch was an issue, since you guys say you can hear something trying..it can't be the problem.
If possible I would test power from the switch, through the relay and right to the motor. That will resolve if power is getting there or stopping at a bad relay. Then disconnect the drive cable and see if the motor turns it freely. From there all that would be left is the actuator gearnut....but like I said..since both do it....I suspect something that controls both seats. Therefore I'd think electrical before the motors.
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,708
Likes: 2
From: Western MA
Just so I can research it a bit further, I'd like to clarify some things.
The recline function does not work in either direction on both seats?
Are clicks heard upon pressing the recline switch in either direction with L/R in either position?
Failures include 91-94 in this thread?
The passenger'* seats in both my 90 and 93 would recline down but not back up when I first purchased them. A light tap or two on the recline motor while pressing the switch solved the problem in both cases. Electrical motors can develop "dead spots" occasionally. The vibrations fron the tapping causes the motor to turn just enough to get it going. This is also how I corrected the RR power window motor in the 93 and a starter motor or two back in the day.
My thoughts however are similar to Bill'*. It'* not too likely that both recline motors failed at the same time. Once the above questions are clarified, I can dig into the book further. I can check both my 90 and 95 FSM but may want to take a peek at a 92 or 93 manual if available.
The recline function does not work in either direction on both seats?
Are clicks heard upon pressing the recline switch in either direction with L/R in either position?
Failures include 91-94 in this thread?
The passenger'* seats in both my 90 and 93 would recline down but not back up when I first purchased them. A light tap or two on the recline motor while pressing the switch solved the problem in both cases. Electrical motors can develop "dead spots" occasionally. The vibrations fron the tapping causes the motor to turn just enough to get it going. This is also how I corrected the RR power window motor in the 93 and a starter motor or two back in the day.
My thoughts however are similar to Bill'*. It'* not too likely that both recline motors failed at the same time. Once the above questions are clarified, I can dig into the book further. I can check both my 90 and 95 FSM but may want to take a peek at a 92 or 93 manual if available.
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Ohio
Ok, today I pulled the cables that run to the motors and the motors run just fine, but the cables won't turn when they are installed on the seat like something is jaming the gearing? Is there a way to lube the gears somewhere?
Thread Starter
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by randman1
Just so I can research it a bit further, I'd like to clarify some things.
The recline function does not work in either direction on both seats?
Are clicks heard upon pressing the recline switch in either direction with L/R in either position?
Failures include 91-94 in this thread?
The passenger'* seats in both my 90 and 93 would recline down but not back up when I first purchased them. A light tap or two on the recline motor while pressing the switch solved the problem in both cases. Electrical motors can develop "dead spots" occasionally. The vibrations fron the tapping causes the motor to turn just enough to get it going. This is also how I corrected the RR power window motor in the 93 and a starter motor or two back in the day.
My thoughts however are similar to Bill'*. It'* not too likely that both recline motors failed at the same time. Once the above questions are clarified, I can dig into the book further. I can check both my 90 and 95 FSM but may want to take a peek at a 92 or 93 manual if available.
The recline function does not work in either direction on both seats?
Are clicks heard upon pressing the recline switch in either direction with L/R in either position?
Failures include 91-94 in this thread?
The passenger'* seats in both my 90 and 93 would recline down but not back up when I first purchased them. A light tap or two on the recline motor while pressing the switch solved the problem in both cases. Electrical motors can develop "dead spots" occasionally. The vibrations fron the tapping causes the motor to turn just enough to get it going. This is also how I corrected the RR power window motor in the 93 and a starter motor or two back in the day.
My thoughts however are similar to Bill'*. It'* not too likely that both recline motors failed at the same time. Once the above questions are clarified, I can dig into the book further. I can check both my 90 and 95 FSM but may want to take a peek at a 92 or 93 manual if available.
Everything you said is right. I cannot recline either seat in any direction. And yes, clicks are heard in either direction on either seat.
Thanks again for your help!
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 922
Likes: 8
From: Gilroy, California
Re: Front Seats Won't Recline
Originally Posted by 94GreenSsei
I have a 94 ssei and the power seats work great, except for the recline feature on both seats. Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
Thread Starter
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Re: Front Seats Won't Recline
Originally Posted by Bob Dillon
Originally Posted by 94GreenSsei
I have a 94 ssei and the power seats work great, except for the recline feature on both seats. Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,708
Likes: 2
From: Western MA
Hmmmm. Motor operates in both (?) directions when cables are disconnected but doesn't operate in either direction when connected... Normally I would agree with you thinking it was a mechanical problem with the worm gear but I'm still not 100% convinced.
[thinking out loud]
If I recall correctly, there is a current sensing circuit in the seat control module. To verify this, simply adjust one of the seats forward all the way. You should hear a click of the relay upon pressing the switch to begin supplying voltage to the seat motor and then another when the relay de-energizes when the seat has reached the full forward travel. Although you still have the switch pressed, the seat has stopped and there is no electrical strain. This indicates a current sensing circuit in the seat module. This simply narrows the suspects to the seat module or both recline motors.
[/thinking out loud]
I tossed a power seat track a while back so I can't go down stairs and experiment. Boosty, can you see if there is a manual method for turning the worm gear or the threaded stud it connects to? Are you working tomorrow? Maybe we can play around with your seat(*)
[thinking out loud]
If I recall correctly, there is a current sensing circuit in the seat control module. To verify this, simply adjust one of the seats forward all the way. You should hear a click of the relay upon pressing the switch to begin supplying voltage to the seat motor and then another when the relay de-energizes when the seat has reached the full forward travel. Although you still have the switch pressed, the seat has stopped and there is no electrical strain. This indicates a current sensing circuit in the seat module. This simply narrows the suspects to the seat module or both recline motors.
[/thinking out loud]
I tossed a power seat track a while back so I can't go down stairs and experiment. Boosty, can you see if there is a manual method for turning the worm gear or the threaded stud it connects to? Are you working tomorrow? Maybe we can play around with your seat(*)
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring, MD
Just thought i'd drop my 2 cents. Same problem with my '94 SSEi. Both seats have full power for everything but the recline. Just makes some noise but won't move the seats. Anyone figure this out yet? The wierd thing is, i keep trying and every once in awhile, like maybe one try in two months, the seat starts moving forward and back just like normal! Would that be a loose connection or bad motor gear? hmm...