Honda Accord Power Seat Switch Fix DIY! '97-99 Acura CL-Clean Electrical Contacts Don't Replace

Did you know many times cleaning electrical connections can save you from replacing an expensive part? This video shows how to remove, disassemble, and reassemble the power seat switch in an Acura CL. Similar on Honda Accord. Same concept also applies to many other switches including power windows and locks. Although cleaning often works, sometimes cleaning does not help if the switch is bad or there is another electrical problem, but it is usually the cheapest first approach.

[@shane1112h]

I'm having the same issue with my Acura TSX and I'm going to try this method. Thank for the vid!

[@KeithBlade]

Acura might do things a little differently, I know on the TLs the tire light system will actually tell you which tire is low. This eliminates alot of hassle. It also tells the pressure readings, Lexus at least on the 07 RX350 does not give this add'l info.

[@predwin87]

Thank you for this video, i open mines it was dirty i clean it everything working now..🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@KeithBlade]

Great!

[@Thecoolestvato777]

Will give this a try thank you sir 😊

[@KeithBlade]

Yes, best of luck with it

[@rodrigo329]

Just what I wanted to know, how to pry the buttons off the seat side panel. Seems to be just a pry-bar push out on them. This is good because I didn't want to brake them.

[@KeithBlade]

Yep. They pry off pretty easy. Good luck with it.

[@ugr_acura3914]

i also have a 97 cl. my seat when i bought the car was stuck all the way back and i would hear a clicking sound when i tried to move it forward and wont move. i switched out the slider motor with one from a parts cl hooked it up and it only went backwards. but i will have to check the connections on the switch. i did thought of trying to find a used seat from another cl and just put it in. thanks for the video! Very Helpful!

[@KeithBlade]

You're welcome, I hope you can get your CL seat working again soon either with a cleaned switch or a used seat. Thanks.

[@ugr_acura3914]

also, when i start up my cari hear my ABS thing under the hood make a humming noise then light comes on. do u know anything about that?

[@KeithBlade]

Sounds like your ABS module is going bad. It will probably continue to get worse and make more noise. The best choice is to have the dealership look at it or get it fixed, but some people disable the ABS by unplugging it or removing the fuse. Probably lots more info about this in the Acura forums online. one is called Acurazine ... lots of info about everything.

[@ugr_acura3914]

ya thats what i did is unplugged it. and thanks ill have to look on that site

[@ugr_acura3914]

hey. i tried to clean out the switch. and found out my seat wiring harness is messed up. so im looking for a seat and cant find one :(

[@dmann3042000]

Much appreciate the video for cleaning the switch, but if I can't take the side off it because of the screwdriver I have is there a magic button I can push the head to seat reset itself back to factory?

[@KeithBlade]

Hi, there is no magic button or reset I'm aware of but there is a seat wiring diagram online and there might be a way with a jumper wire to bypass the switch controls to get it moving, but I'd recommend a mechanic walk you through that so it's done safely. The dealer can probably do it also or get the seat moved.

[@dmann3042000]

@@KeithBlade I'll probably just disassemble the switch and clean it instead I thought maybe there's a wheel or mechanical bar underneath the seat I can roll to move the seat forward

[@KeithBlade]

@@dmann3042000 I know the seat is controlled by a couple of motors underneath, not sure if you can disengage, you may want to look in the forum Acurazine it's pretty much every issue people run into and replies from many users. Best of luck with it. : )

[@turbozayas]

Thanks for the video Keith!

[@KeithBlade]

You bet!

[@liontitties]

Thanks pretty much the same on a 2016 acura

[@bryanbompton6356]

My problem is the seat reclines side ways instead of forward can it be stuck on something?

[@KeithBlade]

Not sure what you mean by reclining sideways, unless you mean one end is reclining and the other is seized up. In any case something isn't moving right underneath and needs to be inspected

[@1015johnjohn]

I’m having the same issue with a Acura CL 03’ doesn’t recline back . Doesn’t Tilt back at all . CAN I USE THE SAME METHOD YOU USED HERE ? on my car

[@KeithBlade]

John, Yes, it's the cheapest way to find out. Could be something else like one of the seat motors-but if it reclines in one direction and not the other, it's probably not the motor. When the motor goes bad usually it's bad in both directions, such as seat not sliding fwd or back, nor reclining fwd or back. For you most likely either the switch or connection is bad, or dirty contacts inside the switch as shown in the video which possibly could be cleaned.

[@1015johnjohn]

Keith Blade I just finished doing this method cleaning them out and it sounds like it clicks but still doesn’t recline back at all . Suggestions? Everything moves just doesn’t move forward or lean back

[@KeithBlade]

@@1015johnjohn Hi, hard to say. You may have to replace the switch or check with Acura and see if there is a separate motor just for the recline. Some of these vehicles have up to 3-4 motors in the seats for separate functions. As the vid description says, cleaning the switch isn't a guarantee, it's just the easiest cheapest thing without having to take it in for an expensive diagnostic. I did the same thing on my window switch years ago, it has worked perfectly every since. Just a gamble though, sometimes it doesn't work. Switches are cheap on Ebay. Unless you'd want to voltage test the motors or check connections going to the seat motors or have Acura do it, you usually have to remove the seat for that, not fun. Hope you are able to find the solution, wish I could be more help.

[@123clis321]

Lucky break! Later model accords use a different switch which is far less prone to corrosion

[@dariusjarm]

I doubt mine the switch, i can hear motor whirring when i click the button to go down but its stuck in highest position

[@KeithBlade]

I assume you checked under the seat to make sure there isn't a foreign object blocking it?

[@dariusjarm]

@KeithBlade oh yeah Ive been under there with a torch to look for anything out of ordinary but it all seems like it should be, nothing obviously broken and hanging, no objects blocking it

[@roynelson1153]

Thanks - I tried cleaning the switches but didn't see much improvement. Seat sometimes moves. Maybe a faulty motor?

[@KeithBlade]

If it only works sometimes that is often a bad switch. Might want to try getting a switch out of a CL from a junkyard before replacing the motor. Could have a short in the motor but my guess is try the switch first

[@RoyNelson-ff6bl]

@@KeithBlade Thanks

[@toolandmaynard]

Sounds like Kody from dual survivor. Or is it just me. Great video.

[@davidreeder1304]

My switch will not come apart to get into the contacts..

[@KeithBlade]

David Reeder, if your CL is a '97 or similar series, it should come apart but you have to work it and look for the seams, pry gently.

[@0.0-m5o]

Having this problem in my ek5 civic sir

[@faisalalmail]

get my like dude

[@0.0-m5o]

When I want it to go forward and back and up and down, all ot does is click and nothing, however it reclines, can I use this method

[@KeithBlade]

Vidia, you can try it. It's not a guarantee because it could be something else like a bad switch or connection. The purpose of the video is to point out that cleaning the switch contacts is the cheapest easiest thing to try first before spending money at the repair shop. It does take some time but sometimes it works and solves the problem.

[@hectorgomez9222]

It wont let me see the full video. Just stops at 30s then freezes

[@KeithBlade]

Hector, I just tried it and it's working fine. KZbin won't host a video that isn't working so if it's not playable on your end it is usually your internet connection. Try waiting til you have a better connection. Also you can try clicking the little gear icon and setting the quality to "Auto", this adjusts for your connection. When you're on a fast connection, always set the quality to HD or 1080 or 720. This works on any KZbin video and ensures you're seeing the content in high def when available and makes a big difference when you're on a larger monitor. Thanks.