Power Seat Not Moving? How to Diagnose Power Seat Motors, Switches, and Wires!

[@1AAuto]

√ *Watch the Video* √ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto √ *Do it Yourself* √ *Save Money*

[@markguthrie7070]

I'm impressed! One of the most basic through explanations of how to fix a seat I've ever seen... no added filler no steps skip

[@jasonmartindale3171]

Wife's car, same thing. I took your video one step further, I removed the cotter pin and washer from the bar screw drive and removed the block. Slide the frame back on without screwing it because the block is gone, installed and works great even with my 290 body in it. Yes it'll put more work on the one working screw drive but she's tiny so it shouldn't be a big problem

[@1AAuto]

+jason martindale Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@lynnkjjones7066]

You touched on every problem except the one I have. The seat on my Silverado goes all the way forward but won't go all the way back. I'm thinking something fallen into the track or a drive gear messed up. Any thoughts?

[@thomasmoore6071]

I have been trying to figure this seat out for two weeks. After watching this video I fixed my driver seat such a relief from driving uncomfortable. It was the connector from the floor that was loose. Thanks so much

[@Neyagrl]

Found the video helpful and think I followed you well enough to attempt this after I watch it one more time. Only request would be to help us beginners out by explaining what the tools and parts are called and go a little more slowly explaining what to do under the seat regarding each of the 4 motors and checking for, I believe it was, "continuity" using a multimeter or perhaps it was something else you used that looked like two screwdrivers. Great video, but a little difficult for beginners who need the help & don't have tons of knowledge.

[@counciousstream]

If I could give a grade to the various auto repair videos I watch this one would get an A++. No BS, it gets right into the subject. A particular compliment goes to the trouble shooting process that narrows down the problem. What to test, what it means, what to do next. Brilliant. My Father in Law, a former aircraft mechanic (Lockheed Constellation) was a master troubleshooter and would have loved this video for that reason alone. Thanks, now I'm off to fix the dang seat so that others in my family can drive the car!

[@sharonmccode4360]

Thank you. Now when I take into the repair shop I know exactly what they’re talking about I really appreciated this KZbin video👍🏻

[@77Avadon77]

My power tilt on driver seat of my GMC Terrain wasn't working. The fix is to test the switches on the side of the seat. That can be accomplished by prying off the side cover and checking continuity on the switch bar. That bar of switches is very cheap, under $20.00 so it might be the first to replace. The power tilt is in the back of the seat. You have to remove the hard plastic cover on the back of the seat. That will give you access to the motor for the power tilt. If you can find or rig up a 12Volt battery you can connect it to the positive and negative leads on the motor. This way you can test the motor independently of any wiring or switches. In fact you can use this technique to check all the motors (forward/backward/tilt). It turned out in my case it was the switch. The motor tested fine. Search driver side GMC Terrain switch and you can find it for cheap on the web. Hopefully this info helps someone else.

[@andreacarr5426]

You Rock!!!! I was going crazy checking the fuses, turns out the connector was loose. Finally can move my seat again. Thanks so much!!

[@spencer82rocks]

It’s $550 per service, lol for you to say but for the customer it’s the other way around but I’m not against you , I really enjoyed it learning more from , Huge thank you, I’m a new mechanic myself , so I’m learning everyday , 😮

[@thomasfotiii4363]

Great video. Always liked manual seats for this reason exactly but you made it as painless as it gets with these things

[@reneedrag]

Electrical was FINE. I had to take the seat out because the EXTRA FABRIC was in the way & jammed the seat from moving. Installed it back in & happy!

[@lP_PROXY]

I gave my a kick from behind and it started working again so

[@ethanhofferber3089]

Luh mayo say less story of my life stg

[@phoenixbabbitt2597]

Who ever said violence solved nothing?

[@soniamagana7522]

🤣🤣🤣sometimes they learn the hard way

[@yikesidfk4710]

@@seanjustice6178 I love you 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@budgiemama7698]

So a Fonzie fix? 🤣😂smack! Things start working like normal thumbs up and a long aaaa!! 🤣

[@custard511]

great video, no umm's or ahhh's and great camera work! Thanks

[@jamesgarvey8402]

This is the best video on an electric seat I’ve seen. Well done! Luckily, I have the same car. Lol.

[@DanielSanchez-nu3xp]

This is probably the best video out here for this problem. Apparently my problem isn't the motor or cables but it stems in the rails. Only the right side of the seat wants to go back but the left side stays in place. How do I go about this? Any help appreciated.

[@brbBRAZZERS]

My issue was a loose connection under the seat! Never even thought of that for some reason when I was diagnosing the issue. Good video!

[@krewlife333]

One of the best channels out there.

[@1AAuto]

+krewlife333 Thanks for the feedback!

[@dshadow7156]

I just had an issue with a seat tilt control switch. It would go forward but not back. I simply rewired the motor in reverse polarity and the forward control moved the seat back. I hope this helps anyone who needs a quick fix.

[@ShatteredNightz]

Exactly what I’m looking but I don’t understand those terms😅

[@ShatteredNightz]

Thanks tho!

[@jazzymediamarketing4404]

The engine motor? The seat motor? Where is it located? This is exactly my problem. Driving w seat forward for 2 weeks. 😩😫

[@Neyagrl]

@@jazzymediamarketing4404 Yes, the seat motor, as referenced in this video. Under the seat, he showed the black and red wires and said they control forward and backward and if you flip them, they do the opposite of what they used to do.

[@Neyagrl]

Having a similar issue and appreciate the tip - might come in handy if I'm not able to fix the issue using one of the methods in this video!

[@leecowell8165]

you probably do NOT need 2 wires.. the motor is probably already grounded to the chassis. however IF you remove the seat then you may need to jumper the seat to ground with a nice heavy jumper lead. Most of these vehicles do NOT have ground wires IF they're by default mounted to the chassis (why have the expense of having ground (return) wires you do not need?). What mechanism gets the most usage? The fore/aft mechanism of course. Thus THAT'S the motor that goes kaput 90% of the time. So perhaps rather than replacing it you can switch it out with one of the other much lesser used motors and especially if they look identical they probably ARE identical. Worth a shot and here's why.. These manufacturers do NOT sell seat motors they sell the entire seat track assembly as a single unit. Yeah that'll set you back about a grand.

[@gabecuellar8025]

What do you do when your seats all the way back

[@StringBeaner07]

I just plugged and unplugged it from the power source and it worked

[@BeastlyGarage]

What if the driver seat, the side mirrors and electric steering adjustment all dont work? These are all part of the Convenience memory seat function on some cars. The diagnosis in this case is a lot more involved. Ask me how I know.

[@epitaciocalderon1597]

I have a 2018 ram 1500 and my seat would not adjust forward or backwards unlucky for me my vacation was over and leaving from FL back to TX didn’t have time to check it over but the following day was able to identify issue to be bad switch so if you need to find a quick fix you can swap out connections to motors to have temp fix in emergency situations

[@billtaglia2865]

Yep. That’s why I leave that stuff to a professional.

[@lodgeamaozn-noisybeach]

Bingo sir... I laughed after I tried the connectors, you were right on target. Older equinox redone after 3 years of storage... now a sweet soccer mon suv...

[@Niqua10023]

Yoir awesome 👍 😎 im learning how to fix my car myself when and if I can until I learn without spending a lot of money. Thank you. Its my 2010 mustang V6

[@devenm4601]

Thank you sm! i couldnt raise or lower my seat come to find out it was halfway unclipped saved me sum money

[@t.sewell1513]

Excellent video! Did the trick. Ty

[@roryhayden9685]

Thanks unplugging fuse and plugging back in fixed issue

[@mikemalm7505]

I have an 07 expedition el, electrically it all works, however, something mechanically is stuck on the seat recline, it's stuck laying back as far as it will go, I've taken the cushions off and can see the connecting shaft, its in place, I'm at a loss from here. What locks it in place ?

[@allanfrancisco8979]

Nice to know. If you get a chance can you have a video for the Toyota Highlander 2009 how to replace mechanism for lift door . The lift door is not opening at all.

[@Meicken84]

So my Dodge Ram has 3 buttons on driver switch. First tilts seat back, second goes up a bit or forward/backwards. Third button seems to work a single motor in the back. Yellow goo coming out of the white plastic gear, slightly moves when I use the button but stoops quickly. Any particular advice before seeing my mechanic?

[@claytonmalanowich5970]

Excellent video, thank you very much

[@curtisharper7042]

Loved your diagnosis on the "Power Seat". But I'm still having issues with it. It's the Drivers Side Power Seat that I am having my issues with. I'm glad that the Seat is in the completely back position. Because I'm 6'4". And it's okay by me. It will recline/go up and down, but will not go backwards or forwards. All the connections are in place. The fuse is good. And the relay is good. When you try to move the seat forward. You will hear a click come from the motor. It will move the seat about 1/4 of an inch. But that's all. Can you help a brother out????

[@elnegro1914]

You figure it out

[@Neyagrl]

It's the motor. There are 4 motors as he explained, so the motor for the backwards and forwards function (the larger one at the front of the seat, I believe) should be replaced.

[@Sicariojoshi]

Love your content!

[@billyjones9045]

Great video.. lot of it is common sense that I just went think about it sometimes. I have a Dodge ram with a wiring nightmare

[@mrflinstone2553]

Nice info but o7 escalade only lumbar works fine, all the other buttons work because i can hear the motor.. but the seat doesnt move 🤔 if i press up down back forward i hear the motor but nothing happening my friend. How can i bypass the be able to remove my seat? Thanks

[@lisabranson1324]

Same! In 2010

[@jesusomarsales8325]

Thank You Brother today i could fixed my seat following through your video i just watched ..the fuse from the juction box was kinda loose ..i took it off put it back and finally i could retract my driver seat

[@duanewong]

I have a 1976 a Cadillac Seville that suddenly lost all 6 movements. I found the door being half open it would work. The orange common power thick wire located in between the door and the interior.

[@cruz47144]

You never said how the motor reverses if it has only two wires in which case there is a relay or it reverses through the contacts or on the switch. Good video

[@robledor89]

Very helpful, thank you 🙏

[@taylorlatto6353]

But you didn’t talk about if it moves one way and not the other…would the motor be going bad or the switch? Is there a way to tell without pulling the seat out?

[@gavinvolaire]

good question. seems that would have to be a bad motor. anyone know for sure? i'm speculating.

[@JamesEck]

Hope you figured this out. I don't know about the motor going bad, but to check the switch you could see if it is putting power to the connector in both conditions and also check the connector for damage.

[@Neyagrl]

You can switch the black and red wires (flip their positions) so they'll function in the opposite manner (forward becomes backward, up becomes down). That's the quick fix. For a permanent or proper fix, or to understand why that quick fix even works, I have more learning to do!

[@Neyagrl]

Check the connections to the switch inside the panel and to the particular motor under the seat. If that's not the issue, replace the switch inside the panel. For a quick fix, you can also flip the positions of the red and black wires for that specific motor that controls that function as explained in this video. Flipping them reverses the functionality - up becomes down, forward becomes backward. That will allow you to move it in the direction that doesn't work currently.

[@jessiesanchez7127]

Under the driver seat on my gm 2002 escalade suv. I had to replace the module. Attached under the seat.

[@suralhilal2012]

Excellent video give more information about on how to diagnose and check your seat power and function, many thanks.

[@mikeypotts4732]

Simple enough to follow along, thank you!

[@asabenisrael8761]

Is there another option outside of doing some form of electronic work?

[@mack_titan]

Is there a manual override (say by disconnecting, something) to just run the seat back on the rails?

[@deandre22]

In my JGC the metal housing that holds the tilting motor in place broke at the welding seam. I wonder what would be a reasonable price to have this welded again.

[@zoyaParisa]

Nice video. I have a Chevy Suburaban 2015 .. The issue is that the Driver Seat goes to the right side when I move the switch to the front.

[@mrflinstone2553]

Sounds like a bad rail or stuck rusty

[@BeckyWolfington]

My motor tests bad on elec seat,seat stuck reclined,anyway to move it without replacing motor?

[@helmedon]

I have an 08 Grand Cherokee. Neither power seat works, heated seats not working, pedal adjust not working and right rear door ajar light is on. Also ABS/Brake and traction control lights are on. Radio fritzes out. I checked fuses. Checked CB for the seats and it's super hot. Meaning it's a wiring issue somewhere, right? Any idea where to start looking? Everything was working fine, then the dash lights came on. Then I noticed the door light. A few days later I noticed the seats, but that probably all happened at the same time.

[@jaxondakota7080]

Why did my Haynes manual say not to remove that circuit breaker? They said to only take it out a lil bit, enough to expose the prong so you can touch the lead of the voltmeter to it. So is it ok to take it all the way out???

[@monjokphilip4436]

Thanks for the video

[@boricua7928]

One trac tries to move but the other track doesn't do anything. Motor is working but won't move the seat. Any ideas?

[@ElleChelleSky]

I was thinking, “I could do this!” Until the wires and motors section began. Come on, fuse! Let it be a fuse! (I KNEW my friend would cause an issue! Moving the seat back and forth about 2x a day for over 3 months! It was inevitable!)

[@kristaolson6832]

All the functions work on my 04 Tahoe but it's not going far enough forward. Goes so far then stops. Still have about 4" of track left before it's maxed out forward but won't move past a certain point.

[@redlightdistrick2626]

My driver seat won't go forward but it does go back. It was just working and when I went to use it...it just didn't work

[@nicc7271]

got the same problem. did you find out how to solve it?

[@sanjeev072003]

same issue with me.. any solution?

[@labratrocky]

When I was in tech school we had a hummer come in that would only go forward not back. Pulled the switch apart and reversed the polarity by hand and it went back. It was a bad switch.

[@Neyagrl]

This video should help. This is what I got from it: Check the connections to the switch inside the panel and to the particular motor under the seat. If that's not the issue, replace the switch inside the panel. For a quick fix, you can also flip the positions of the red and black wires for that specific motor that controls that function as explained in this video. Flipping them reverses the functionality - up becomes down, forward becomes backward. That will allow you to move it in the direction that doesn't work currently.

[@ihymns]

Excellent!

[@dzdhandzcan816]

My 1983 Buick Electra Park Avenue sedan driver 6 way seat clicks but doesn’t move. Someone said the track is off or needs new tracks!

[@AllAmericanDreamChaser]

Do you guys sell the plastic gears for power seats? 2008 Chevy Impala seat moves forward and back just a little, but does this weird twisting/binding thing.

[@1AAuto]

+All American Dream Chaser Thanks for checking us out. Shop for high quality auto parts on 1AAuto.com: 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@renelaracuente3209]

@@1AAuto need help in taking out my seat stuck in back position

[@renelaracuente3209]

@@1AAuto need help in removing my seat that is stuck in the back position need to get it out to put new carpet

[@hussainquillmann9338]

I ran into a 2018 Chevy Malibu one time that had the driver seat do what you're describing. Only one side of the seat moved while the other stayed in place, cause a twist/bind thing. Ended up taking the seat off and seeing that the 'driveshaft' that went from each side of the motor to the seat track was damaged. Replaced it with an identical tiny square drive piece of metal from Ace Hardware!

[@InduceTheMind]

I troubleshooted all the fuses first just to find out the plug was unplugged at the switch. Simple fix thankfully.

[@thereal_rogergarcia]

I just purchased a 2014 Ford Explorer. One the the up and down motors is not working. I tested the power and there is 12V going to the motor (-12V when I push down). So I really do suspect the motor is bad but any advice before I change the motor?

[@sasstewart1222]

Brilliant video, thank you!

[@manmythlegend305]

Seat was stuck on recline for about a week, started checking wires, etc.Someone said to jiggle and shake the chair. Hit the switch and shook it back and forth and it started moving.

[@andrewmmedrano]

Do you have video of horizontal seat motor replacement

[@RizztrainingOrder]

A little aggressive verbal abuse and she started working again!

[@sherlonalphonso2167]

this was very helpful!

[@exambly]

All my buttons work 2016 equinox but it’s now stuck in recline but all other buttons work except incline …fuses are good got passed that part lol

[@CORYJOHNM]

I have manual seat but have this connector on both sides. Now I get the big wires being power, but what in earth are the other ones? I want to utilize this plug for something. Maybe lights , a charger idk. But I sure won't know if I don't know what the wire pairs are or what the duty is.

[@CORYJOHNM]

I'm sure a few are triggers for heat and ejection, things like that.

[@Rokia2003]

The seat for ours is stuck in a reclined position. It can go back plait not forward

[@Meicken84]

If I have two motors (both up/down) motors they start to turn but get sluggish super quickly… are these just dying motors? Or would one of the tests in this video be useful?

[@ami5975]

I enjoyed this video. Only thing is I realize I need to learn basics of car electrical and electronic systems.😅

[@Normal1855]

You basically tested my problem for me. Forward and backward, works fine. The rear raising works intermittently, and the front doesn't work at all. I'm going with the switch.

[@santiagodavila1426]

Hello.. great video. Hey my 07 Yukon which is the same, my driver seat won’t go back or forward but I can hear the motor making the noise just don’t move. Also Passenger seat the back rest is all the way down and won’t came up to its normal position.

[@1AAuto]

+Santiago Davila We wouldn't be able to diagnose an issue like that here, you may want to have a local mechanic take a look at it. Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@citizenof_theworld881]

Hearing the motors but no movement, is probably the motor gear. Search for “how to fix Dodge Ram power seat” video you’ll see the gear I’m talking about. Replacing the gear is pretty involved, it might be easier to replace the motor with the gears already included.

[@Neyagrl]

Check the connections to the switch inside the panel and to the particular motor under the seat. If that's not the issue, replace the switch inside the panel. For a quick fix, you can also flip the positions of the red and black wires for that specific motor that controls that function as explained in this video. Flipping them reverses the functionality - up becomes down, forward becomes backward. That will allow you to move it in the direction that doesn't work currently.

[@BinishaK.K]

nice video... can anyone tell me which is the motor used here

[@MRRANDOM1]

Thanks a lot I fixed it! Loose connection

[@TeamDarnet]

Nice thanks for sharing

[@chardelraconner7324]

knob functions evolved back

[@andrewsims7182]

He said you may have had a gym bag slide under the seat and mess up the connection…. Bahaha!!! How about fourteen juice boxes 3 baby bottles two cans of Skoal and a partridge in a pear tree… plus four thousand green beret gummy bears fighting an epic battle against an army of plastic army toys and Barbie dolls😂. #dadlife

[@stellafromcali9417]

😆🤣😅

[@AG-yz6ni]

Hi I a 2015 gmc terrian my son drives my truck so lean back, I am short but I cannot make move forward, if I touch the switch it moves it back. Please help me I can’t drive like this anymore I had back surgery, I wish there was someway to keep it lock just for me. Thank you

[@johnanderson71]

There is actually much more. For example on my mustang 2011 gt the magnets on motors were fallen, all the them, so I had to glue em back in their position.

[@marcanthony9659]

Could you make a video of it and upload, if you still own the vehicle or if you have time, im having trouble with my driver side seat. Out of the 9 directions only back and forth work

[@eegg6954]

While the video covers basic troubleshooting, some models have problems specific to their lousy cheap Mexican manufacture. Fords have magnets in their motors which are glued to the housings and fall out. They have to be epoxyed back. They also have nylon worm gears that break teeth have have to be replaced. Common in Fords.

[@TheWickedOne5150]

Needed you to go a step further after the motor. Motor kicks in but seat doesn't move. I am able to manually get the seat to move with a drill but not sure if what is damaged is connections from the motor or to the adjustment gears. And way to tell? Just want to know what tobuy befer taking te seat out. Not my car kids boyfriends, So kinda a pain to work on it twice.

[@nicc7271]

what should i check if the motor that makes it move back and forward only moves backwards and won't go forward again. I've already checked the switch and cleaned it with an electronics cleaner, and nothing happened. What else should i do or check? thanks!

[@pinkitiydrinkitiy3272]

Did you figure it out my car is having that issue ..

[@jessiehillegass561]

I'm having same issue except the seat will go forward but not backwards..

[@Neyagrl]

Replace the switch

[@Neyagrl]

Check the connections to the switch inside the panel and to the particular motor under the seat. If that's not the issue, replace the switch inside the panel. For a quick fix, you can also flip the positions of the red and black wires for that specific motor that controls that function as explained in this video. Flipping them reverses the functionality - up becomes down, forward becomes backward. That will allow you to move it in the direction that doesn't work currently.

[@nicholaspolitis9048]

I have a 2000 corvette and the main control to move seat forward/back/up and down does not work. I checked ground, and have 12 volts coming to switch and out, but power to motor is only 4.6 volts?

[@Humbletrader08]

Is part of warranty?mine is annoying and still got warranty on it. Im just not sure if they cover the power seat. I cheack the manual and i cant find it

[@chuckespich6855]

Wow.. Thanks the plug came undone.

[@boknows8936]

2005 Nissan pathfinder, goes forward goes backwards goes up goes down back rest goes back, BUT back rest does not come forward. Any idea what that could be? Took off the actuator, put it on the opposite way and used the going back button to make the gear go forward. But that’s kind a half assing it, would like to fix it the proper way, thanks for any help

[@uhohotdog3483]

Great Content 👍

[@joe-s4z3w]

I have a 2011 malibu and there are no screws that hold on the trim. When I look under seat I can see that there is a metal u-shaped clip holding it on. I have tried pulling on it but I'm afraid it's going to break. Is there a trick to these clips?

[@Snouthunter]

I have a customer with a 07 Nissan Murano. Her driver's seat goes forward and backward on the left side, the the right side don't move at all. I'm not to good at electrical. I haven't worked on any electrical seats, either. What could be the problem to cause that?

[@Mrkevi123]

2005 Nissan Armada and seat does not move forward. Is it the switch or the motor? There's no information on the web on how to remove the switch or motor.

[@danieltur-bes2036]

Will a drivers seat in a 2010 chevy impala fit in a 2010 chevy Malibu? They are both powerful seats.

[@santoshpok8883]

I have 2018 suburban LT front passenger seat work up and down but doesn’t go front and back can you please give me some idea😊

[@Strixology]

Both of my seats in my 08 silverado stopped working at the same time. Gotta be a fuse, right?

[@faisha123]

@4:12 My seat goes forward but not backwards. Can anyone recommend a video to fix that? I heard him say that it's the motor or the switch, but I need a video that focuses on those two topics.

[@Neyagrl]

At 1:58, you say, "if you had a blown fuse, don't think it's just a matter of replacing it..." but you don't say anything about how one would determine or discover that they had a blown fuse. How do you know which fuse to look at/replace?

[@frontcentermusician]

You did watch the video right?

[@mayaazizalqudoos5546]

Very helpful