Power seat issue, switch or motor?

Post by **rwaltco** » 01 Nov 2006, 06:33

The drivers' side power seat on my 97 850 doesn't raise and lower at the rear of the seat only the front. All other directions are fine. How can I tell if it is the motor or the switch?

bobsnow100 · Post by **bobsnow100** » 01 Nov 2006, 09:07

I would first check to make sure nothing un plugged under the seat.
If everything is still connected than either get a test light with a probe or a volt meter to test power at the motor. If there is power at the seat motor than thats the problem. Make sure you're pushing the seat button switch as your testing . If you're not holding the switch electricity will not flow through. If there is NO power than check for power going into the switch. If there is power at the switch ,probe the other wire coming out ot the switch going to the motor and see if you get a reading.
I am not sure if the seat motors are all on the same fuse either. Might want to check your fuses

Post by **rwaltco** » 01 Nov 2006, 09:32

Fuses are good or seat wouldn't work at all. I didn't now if the switches are prone to failure.

ferrari9 · Post by **ferrari9** » 01 Nov 2006, 09:52

I have the same exact problem with my 95 850. Everything works except the height adj at the rear of seat cushion. I retrieved DTCs that the wires to motors 1 & 3 are unplugged (which confused me a bit more since motor 1 is functioning as it should). I studied all the related documents provided in the service manual and by MadeInJapan about the seat components, wires, motors, etc. Upon examining the whole setup, I found that nothing seems to be unplugged.

When I press the switch I can hear the motor running inside the seat. Does this happen with your switch?

I've already spent enough money at the dealer trying to fix the entire seat (long story...). I'm going to have to take the seat out and really test everything. Sorry I don't have any other info at the moment but I'm very determined to fix this so hopefully I'll have some answers sometime soon. In the meantime, I'd suggest downloading the '95 850 Service Manual' (located at the very top of the 850 forum) which will have info pertinent to your model as well. There is alot of info in there about the power memory seats and I'm sure your's is pretty much the same deal as the 95s.

Good luck...

Post by **rwaltco** » 01 Nov 2006, 14:13

I can hear the relay clicking when I press the switch but nothing. Now Im finding it occasionally works...I might just buy a seat switch off of Ebay as thats cheaper than going to a dealer.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 01 Nov 2006, 20:47

Seat switch contacts wear out...if you know how to take one apart, you can scrape the contacts with an emory board, but this may be a temporary fix. If you're hearing the relay, then it's getting juice, so then it may be one of the motors that's bad. Sorry I can't be more specific.

Post by **rwaltco** » 02 Nov 2006, 05:03

Now we're getting somewhere..Any idea which of the three motors runs the rear verticle movement? Maybe I'll just get it into it's best place then fergidabodit.

CarVolvo · Post by **CarVolvo** » 02 Nov 2006, 06:33

it is the fourth motor that runs the rear seat movement. If you sit in the back seat on the drivers side of the car and remove the backing it is located on your right hand side in the seat backrest.

ferrari9 · Post by **ferrari9** » 02 Nov 2006, 13:31

rwaltco...

The motor described by CarVolvo is actually the seat-back recline motor, located inside the seat-back. The motor that you are looking for is #3, which operates seat-cushion height at the rear. This motor is located under the seat. Grab a flashlight and take a look under there. You'll see three motors, one after another. Each motor looks almost like a red bull can - thin, cylindrical objects. Motor 3 is the last motor (if you are looking from the back seat, it will be the first one you see).

Hopefully this helps a bit...

Post by **rwaltco** » 02 Nov 2006, 14:08

Thanks for the correct info. I figured it was the recline motor since one is back/forward, one motor is for the front movement the last for the rear vertical. I think it must be the switch as now the forward/reverse is not wanting to work correctly unless I fiddle with it.