2001 V70 rear seat is stuck, will not fold.

[gthrash]

Hi all -

I'd like to preface this by saying how useful this site has been to me! I've had my V70 for a little over eight months and I've been working my way through all the usual issues - this site has been invaluable!

I'm having a problem getting the passenger side rear seat in my 2001 V70 to fold down. The seat cushion flips forward just fine, but the button that unlatches the seatback and allows it to fold forward appears to be broken. You can push the button, but it doesn't seem to be activating whatever mechanism unlocks the seat back. Is there another way to get this thing to unlatch, like a slot to put a screwdriver in or some such thing? Has anyone had this problem before? Just inspecting the other side, I can't see anything like this.

I have a feeling I'm going to need to replace it, but there is always the possibility that it'd jammed in some intermediate position. Any insight?

Thanks!
Greg

[gthrash]

Well, I figured it out. The good news is it's relatively simple to release the seat with a flat bladed screwdriver. The bad news is I broke part of the mechanism before I figured out how to do it! Basically if you pull back the upper corner of the seat cushion in front of the mechanism, there is a black multi-armed lever that actuates a couple of different functions of the lock. You push on the upper arms of the lever (the same part that the button you normally push pushes on) and the seat releases.

Soo.. my seat is folded, but now I probably need to replace either part or all of the latch mechanism. Bummer. I will take some pics when I do, so that someone else can avoid my pain!

- Greg

[FUBAR]

I had this problem too, and ended up taking off the working side's plastic cover, so I could understand the internals. I then used a wire-type coathanger and a screwdriver to forcethe mechanism to release. I still, to this day drive around with that mechanism broken, and just use a screwdriver every time. Even after using a torx to take it off and examine the mechanism, I couldn't find the fault! The think works perfectly in my hands, but for some reason it won't work when bolted into the seat. I have to keep the plastic cover off all the time on that seat to make it easier to jimmy. Another reason why my car is driving me nuts!

[FUBAR]

I had this problem too, and ended up taking off the working side's plastic cover, so I could understand the internals. I then used a wire-type coathanger and a screwdriver to forcethe mechanism to release. I still, to this day drive around with that mechanism broken, and just use a screwdriver every time. Even after using a torx to take it off and examine the mechanism, I couldn't find the fault! The think works perfectly in my hands, but for some reason it won't work when bolted into the seat. I have to keep the plastic cover off all the time on that seat to make it easier to jimmy. Another reason why my car is driving me nuts!