Passenger seat BACK: manual tilt lever (near floor in back) jammed 1995 850

850forum · Post by **850forum** » 11 Sep 2018, 21:24

The (front) passenger seat BACK will not move with the electric switch, whirrs & sounds like the cable end is not engaging the gears. So I need to adjust that, I know how. Fore & Aft and Seat Tilt work.

But the little lever for a person in the back to tilt the "front passenger seat's back" forward is not releasing the back. The outboard side of the back can be wobbled, more than the inboard side. How is this related to not moving electrically? Might the manual lever be busted jammed & electric is just spinning because of that? I can move the lever a bit but don't feel it releasing the catch. The back is pretty much up & down, comfortable to ride in if you tilt the seat itself back a little, so probably near the "full forward" position electrically. At any rate its not tilted way back.

1995 850 Turbo wagon

Post by **scot850** » 13 Sep 2018, 13:33

There should be 2 small black levers to lift to get the backrest to tilt forward. 1 each side as I recall (hopefully correctly). Not related to the electrical system as they are just a catch. Electrical issue as you say you know hoe to fix is anyway usually the outer cable sleeve has stretched pulling the square drive inner cable out on one end. Either heat the outer cable to shrink it a little or replace the cable.

Neil.

850forum · Post by **850forum** » 15 Sep 2018, 00:34

How the heck did I miss the left hand lever ??? Of course, that's a poor design -- the person needs one hand to push the seat forwards, so can only manipulate one lever. And a person standing outside can only reach the near lever easily.

Taking apart the seat to get at the cable has to wait -- the trunk in my other car was damp so I took everything out to dry, & discovered a puddle in the wheel well. Spare tire was moldy... Nothing above seems actually wet, so probably not a leak. Maybe every time I opened it & let in damp air it condensed... just too much rainy weather this summer. Had 8" in a few hours a couple weeks ago.

Post by **scot850** » 15 Sep 2018, 17:29

Look for telltale runs in any dust for the source of the water. Sounds like too much water for just having the trunk lid/hatch open.

Check around the rear light housings for bad seals letting water in. Also check the outer wells behind the rear wheels. If you have a sunroof, it could be the drains are blocked and they are backing the water back into the trunk area.

Yes the 2 lever idea is daft, but then maybe they expect you to use your head?? LoL!

Neil.

850forum · Post by **850forum** » 15 Sep 2018, 22:46

I spent today cleaning out the back of the wagon. Spare tire burst- haven't looked at it in a few years; holes bigger than my thumb. Posted a new question about what glue to use to re-glue the gasket across the top of the hatch, which should be glued to the body. Cleaned & slathered rubber treatment all over the tailgate gaskets & plastic.