Wiktor Wise
A broken electric seat can be a huge inconvenience, especially when it comes to driving comfortably and safely. There are several reasons why an electric seat may not be moving, such as a faulty motor, bad wiring, a jammed mechanism, or a defective switch. To fix this issue, one can try a variety of methods, including checking and fixing electrical connections, manually moving the seat, or replacing the motor or switch. In some cases, it may be necessary to seek professional help or refer to the owner's manual for specific instructions.
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What You'll Learn
Check for a power failure
If your electric seat is not functioning, there could be a power failure. Before attempting to fix it, it is important to identify the root cause.
Firstly, check the power seat's functions and determine how many are not working. If none of the switches are working, there is likely a problem with the power or ground connection to the switch. If only one function is not working, you can inspect that specific circuit.
Next, check the fuse or circuit breaker. The circuit breaker is located in the junction box next to the brake pedal. Remove the fuse and test it with a multimeter for continuity. If it is an open circuit, the multimeter will read "OL", indicating that electricity is not reaching the parts. If the fuse is blown, it is a sign of a wiring problem or an excessive electrical load.
If no switches are working, check the seat's main connector, which is located underneath the seat. A loose or disconnected connector can cause issues. If the connector is not loose, check the wiring for power and ground. The ground wire is typically black or brown, while the positive side is often a brighter colour like orange or red. These wires will also be thicker as the motor requires more amperage. Use a test light to check for power and ground. If the test light illuminates, the electrical connection is good, and the motor is likely defective.
Additionally, separate the switch panel from the seat and inspect the electrical connectors. Ensure they are connected securely and look for any signs of corrosion or discolouration on the connector's terminals. To test a specific switch, locate its connector underneath the seat and connect a test light to the power and ground to determine if the switch or motor is defective.
Finally, check for poor contact of the power seat switch, which may cause the power seat adjustment to malfunction. Utilise the power seat connectivity diagram in the service manual to verify the continuity of the switch. If the switch is damaged, replace it with the same type of power seat switch.
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Test the seat's functions
To test the seat's functions, you should begin by checking the various functions of your power seat. Test the recliner function, forward and backward movement, and up and down commands. If none of the switches work, there may be a problem with the power or ground connection to the switch. If only one function is not working, you can inspect that specific circuit.
Regardless of the number of working functions, check the fuse or circuit breaker. Locate the circuit breaker, usually positioned in the junction box next to the brake pedal. Take out the fuse related to the power seat and use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If it's an open circuit, the multimeter will read "OL", indicating that electricity isn't powering the parts. Reinstall the circuit breaker if it's in good condition. If the fuse is blown, just replacing it will not fix the problem. This indicates a wiring problem or something drawing too much current.
If no switches are working, check the seat's main connector, which is located underneath the seat. A loose or disconnected connector can cause problems. While the switch is not likely to disconnect on its own, it may not have been connected properly if the seat was removed. Check the wiring for power and ground. Most of the time, the ground wire will be black or brown, and the positive side will be a brighter colour like orange or red. These wires will also be thicker since the motor needs more amperage. Place one side of the test light into the ground side of the electrical connector and the other to the positive side. If the test light lights up, the electrical connection is good, and the motor is defective. If the light doesn't turn on, there is likely a problem with the switch.
Another simple fix is to try holding on to the switch and moving the seat in the desired direction. Accumulated tension between the seat and the bolts connecting it to the rails can cause a stuck power seat. Loosening them may give the seat more maneuvering space and restore it to action. Bad contacts can also lead to electrical transmission failure, so check the contacts of the seat switch mechanism to see if they are clean and check all connection points to make sure the seat is properly powered. Check below the seat for the three cables that connect to the power seat transmission. Make sure they are all connected. A common problem for an immobile power seat is that one cable may be disconnected. All you have to do is push the cable back into its position. You should hear a distinct click for correct positioning.
To test a specific switch, find and test its connector under the seat. Separate the switch panel from the seat and confirm if the electrical connectors are connected and secure. Ensure there is no green corrosion or discoloration on the connector's terminals. Connect a test light to the power and ground to see if the switch or the motor is defective.
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Check the motor and wiring
If your electric car seat is not functioning, it could be due to a bad motor or bad wiring. The seat might be completely "dead" when you press the adjustment levers, or the motor might make weak or unusual sounds and fail to move the seat.
To check the motor, first locate it. The motor is usually located under the seat, at the back, on the left or right side. Look for a small enclosed box, usually along one of the rails the seat moves on. If your vehicle came with a tool kit, it likely has a "winder tool" that can be attached to the motor box.
If the motor is not the issue, you can check the wiring. Inspect the seat rails and the area under the seat with a flashlight and ensure no objects are obstructing the movement of the seat. Check the seat's main connector, located underneath the seat, to ensure it is not loose or disconnected. If the connector is secure, check the wiring for power and ground. The ground wire will typically be black or brown, and the positive side will be a brighter colour like orange or red. These wires will also be thicker since the motor needs more amperage. If you see a lot of wires, the thicker ones will be connected to the motors.
To test the wiring, place one side of a test light into the ground side of the electrical connector and the other side to the positive side of the connector. If the test light lights up, the electrical connection is good, and the motor is defective. If the light doesn't turn on, there is likely a problem with the switch. You can also separate the switch panel from the seat and check if the electrical connectors are connected and secure, with no green corrosion or discoloration on the connector's terminals.
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Disconnect and reconnect the power seat switch
If your power seat switch is broken, you will need to replace it. This can be done by following the steps outlined below:
Disconnect the power seat switch:
- Disconnect the power seat's negative battery cable and set it aside.
- Remove the trim panel of the seat. Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws, then pull the trim panel away from its cushion to release the remaining clips.
- Remove the screw from the switch panel using a screwdriver to remove the panel.
- Remove the power seat switch electrical connector by pushing down on the tab and then sliding it off.
Reconnect the new power seat switch:
- Install the new switch by repeating the above steps in reverse order.
- Reinstall the seat trim panel. Mount the seat trim panel in place, then insert the screws and tighten them down using a screwdriver.
- Reconnect the negative battery cable and tighten it down.
It is important to note that you should always wear safety glasses and other personal protective equipment when working on your vehicle. Additionally, make sure to consult your owner's manual or seek professional help if you are unsure about any part of the process.
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Remove the seat
If your power seat is stuck, it could be due to a broken power seat switch, a faulty motor, or accumulated tension between the seat and the bolts connecting it to the rails.
Before removing the seat, you should first try to diagnose the problem. Check the seat's main connector, which is located underneath it. A loose or disconnected connector can cause problems. Check the wiring for power and ground. Most of the time, the ground wire will be black or brown, and the positive side will be a brighter colour like orange or red. Place one side of a test light into the ground side of the electrical connector and the other to the positive side of the connector. If the test light lights up, the electrical connection is good, and the motor is likely defective.
If the connector is loose, push the cable back into its position. You should hear a distinct click for correct positioning. If the connector is not loose, check the switch mechanism for bad contacts. Ensure the contacts are clean and check all connection points to make sure the seat is properly powered. Check below the seat for the three cables that connect to the power seat transmission. Make sure they are all connected.
If the problem persists, you may need to remove the seat. Removing the seat will depend on the make and model of your car. For example, for an Alfa Romeo Giulia, you will need to remove the plastic trim pieces that cover the rear bolts. These have plastic "arrow heads" latching into holes on the rear ends of the seat tracks. You will also need to move the seat forward to access the front bolts and all the way back to access the rear bolts.
For a Subaru Outback, the process is slightly different. First, lift the seat to the highest position. Look at the plastic rail that holds the slider motor to the seat. You can push up on the motor to release it from the rail, which will also pop out the two drive cables to the rail. Then, you will see a Torx bolt at the front and rear of the rail (two on each side). Remove these bolts, and the slider will detach from the motor screw drive, allowing you to manually slide the seat forwards and backwards. Note that this will destroy the seat rail as it is almost impossible to reseat the cables.
Once you have removed the seat, you can repair or replace the mechanism. Unless you are a professional or an experienced DIYer, it is recommended to seek professional services to reinstall the seat.
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Frequently asked questions
If your electric seat is stuck, the switch or the motor is likely the problem. If the switch is broken, you may still be able to move your seat but only in limited directions. If the motor is dead, you will not be able to move the seat at all.
If the switch is broken, you can try jiggling it to see if it temporarily fixes the issue. If the motor is dead, you will need to remove and replace it.
If the seat is stuck due to accumulated tension between the seat and the bolts connecting it to the rails, loosening them may give the seat some maneuvering space. You can also try pushing down on the seat while also pushing in the direction you want.
Removing a broken electric seat will depend on the make and model of your car. For example, to remove the seat from an Alfa Romeo Giulia, you must first move the seat all the way back to access the front screws and then move it all the way forward to access the rear screws.
