Power seats – general information

Warning: The models covered by this manual are equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), more commonly known as air­bags. Additionally, some models are equipped with seat belt pre-tensioners, which are explosive devices. Always disarm the airbag/ restraint system before working in the vicinity of any airbag/restraint system component to avoid the possibility of accidental deployment of the airbag/seat belt pre-tensioners, which could cause personal injury (Airbag system – general information). Do not use a memory-saving device to pre­serve the PCM’s memory when working on or near airbag system components.

1. Some models feature an optional eightway power seat system that allows the driver and passenger to adjust the front seats up, down, front up, front down, rear up, rear down, forward and rearward. The system consists of the driver’s power seat switch, the passen­ger’s power seat switch, the driver’s power seat track, the passenger’s power seat track and, on some models, the optional power lumbar adjusters.

2. The power seat switches are located on the outboard side of the seat cushions, on the seat cushion side panels. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional power lumbar adjusters, the lumbar switches are located on the power seat switch assemblies. Each switch assembly is attached to the seat side panel by two Torx screws. Refer to your own­er’s manual for instructions regarding switch functions. Individual switches in the power seat switch assemblies cannot be repaired or replaced separately.. If one of the switches in a power seat switch assembly fails, replace the entire switch assembly.

3. The seats are powered by three reversible motors that are attached to the upper half of the power seat track assembly. These motors are controlled by the power seat switches on the sides of the seats. Each switch changes the direction of seat travel by reversing polarity to the drive motor. The motors are an integral part of the power seat track assembly and cannot be repaired or replaced separately. If a motor fails, replace the power seat track assembly.

4. The optional power lumbar adjuster and motor are located on the back of the seat, under the seat trim cover and padding, where they’re attached to a molded plastic back panel and to the seat back frame. The power lumbar adjuster and motor cannot be repaired or replaced separately from the seat back frame. If either the adjuster or the motor fails, replace the entire seat back frame unit.

5. Diagnosis is usually a simple matter, using the following procedures.

6. Look under the seat for any object which may be preventing the seat from moving.

7. If the seat won’t work at all, check the fuse, which is located in the engine compart­ment fuse and relay box.

8. With the engine off to reduce the noise level, operate the seat controls in all direc­tions and listen for sound coming from the seat motors.

9. If the motor doesn’t work or make noise, check for voltage at the motor while an assis­tant operates the switch.

10. If the motor is getting voltage but doesn’t run, test it off the vehicle with jumper wires. If it still doesn’t work, replace it. The individual components are not available separately. The whole power seat track must be purchased as an assembly.

11. If the motor isn’t getting voltage, remove the seat side panel to access the switch and check for voltage. If there’s no voltage at the switch, check the wiring between the fuse and the switch. If there’s voltage at the switch, check for a short or open in the wiring between the switch and the motor. If that circuit is okay, replace the switch. No further testing is rec­ommended. If the power seat system is still malfunctioning at this point, have the system checked out by a dealer service department.