Automatic Driver's seat only goes so far

[doritheexplorer]

So, like the title says, my automatic driver's seat only goes ahead so far. Up, down, recline, all works. Even going back works. But it only goes so far ahead. I have to sit at the edge of the seat to be able to reach the pedals. It happened when I went to get the oil changed. Mechanic pushed the seat back to drive it into the bay, did the work, drove it back out, and then, when I went to pull it back up, it only went halfway before slowing and then stopping. I know the motor still works because there's a sound as if it's trying to go forward, but it's not going. I can't see anything being in the track because I just cleaned under the seat a few days ago and it's spotless. Any ideas?

 

[koda2000]

it sounds like the motor is binding. this could be due to lack of lubrication on the worm rod, dirt on the rod, or because something is bent or broken. only way to know is to remove the seat, flip it over and see what's going on.

if you just want to try to get it back where you need it for now, have someone sit in the back seat and push against the seat bottom with their feet while you try to move it forward. if it's just a lack of lube doing this should overcome it.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Or a coin or something wedged in the track, etc...

 

[koda2000]

Or a coin or something wedged in the track, etc...

yep. that's a definite possibility too.

 

[radman]

Seat belt mouunt!!!!!!!!!!

I had the same problem on my 99 Eddie. I am long legged and the seat would travers where I needed it but my wife complained about it not extending as far as it should forward. I decided to unbolt the seat from the floor to find out what was going on.

The seat frame has a piece of steel extending out on the inboard side that is the mount for the seatbelt buckle attachment. It sticks out and forward toward the console and is bent slightly up on the forward end. As the seat moves forward this seatbelt mount can become bent and dig into the carpet until it stops the seat forward movement altogether. It will move back but will usually stop at the same forward spot every time.

After getting the seat unbolted I found that this piece of steel was very hard (heat treated) and I could not bend it back where it needed to be to clear the carpet. The proper fix would be to disassemble the seat lower mounting and bend (hammer) this back in place.

What I did was to take a die grinder and cut away the lower portion that was catching on the carpet. Doing this allows the seat belt to rock back more then normal and as the seat is slide forward if you lift slightly back on the buckle portion it will glide easily above the carpet. If you forget to pull back on the buckle the metal frame will still catch on the carpet and bring it to a stop.

A word of caution: any modification to the seat belt mounting frame is strictly of your own volition, just saying what I did.

Mike

 

[jremington59]

My drivers side does the same thing but it doesn't bother me because it goes far enough. But it will be good to get it fixed. This damn OCD means everything has to work right, lol.

 

[doritheexplorer]

Guess taking the seat off and poking around is a job for Sunday when I'm off work. Thanks guys!

 

[radman]

Bump What did you find with the power seat this last week-end?
Mike

 

[doritheexplorer]

Oh, I tried to take it off. Key word: tried. Followed the instructions in the Haynes Manual, and got as far as disconnecting the battery. That's it. The outside bolt in front is so rusted that I can't even get anything that fits around it to get a grip on it without slipping and stripping the bolt. Long story short, I got frustrated with the bolt, and didn't do a thing.

 

[doritheexplorer]

Sorry for the double posting here...
I've got a full two days off (today and tomorrow) so I'm gonna try and give it another go around. Anybody have any advice on how to get the bolt off without stripping it beyond repair?