How To Remove a Seat Adjustment Cable (Seat Won't Move)

How to remove a VW R32 seat, and replace a broken seat adjustment cable. If your seat doesn't move backward or forward and stuck in one spot, the cable may be broken, or need to be cleaned. Thank to 3-IN-ONE for partnering with me on this DIY. This seat removal will be very similar on many VWs including MK4 Golf, Beetle, Jetta, and B5, B5.5 Passat.
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[@HumbleMechanic]

This will apply to the passenger side seat as well. Thank you guys for watching, links to everything including some tools are in the description.

[@type2523]

HumbleMechanic 10mm socket ??how ?where

[@davidkrywczuk5529]

Hi,I jammed my drivers side seat adjuster that lets you lean back I’m a big guy -is it a plastic part I need?

[@walterppereira8484]

vv

[@walterppereira8484]

v

[@walterppereira8484]

@@type2523 very vbbvvbbv

[@josephinemary4124]

Thanks so much for a really clear video! My 2003 Golf seat wasn't locking into position and your tip to lubricate the pin was all I needed to do - without removing the seat :-)

[@seandenning2389]

I had the issue with the pin not slotting back in on my 2003 1.4 golf, this video enabled me to sort it from seat out to seat in within 40 mins with no issues! Also managed to refurb the cable in there. Thanks alot!

[@capnjimmy7357]

I found this very interesting. I work for an automotive supplier who makes several products for almost all oems. I specialize in seat structures. We do not do much seat business vw. These seat structures are somewhat different than a bout all other seat structures. Most systems seem to copy each other but this is quite different. I appreciate this videos.I often get new to me products which I'm ask to test, fix, or benchmark. Having no knowledge of that seat structure I often find my self on KZbin looking for videos just to see basically how it looks works and can be removed.

[@KeithHearnPlus]

I'm not surprised that you don't see this sort of design very often. As a bicyclist, I can tell you that a bowden cable like this requires periodic cleaning and re-lubricating. Putting one in an inaccessible location like this is asking for trouble down the road.

[@MrNahah]

​@@KeithHearnPlus Well sometimes it dont need anything, my original seats have been running for 24 years no problem.

[@johnfribley5628]

Thank you so much. I was struggling with this repair. Your video helped me get it done. I liked you showing putting the shop rag over the battery post as the wire wants to reset it self on to the post. Cleaned up pin and applied lock lube. All is good, wife is happy.

[@wyattoneable]

Thanks Charles. Your videos flow very nicely and the step by step instructions were spot on.

[@davidworsham4052]

I'm so glad I watched your video, otherwise I would have been spinning my wheels. Very helpful. The hardest part was putting the plastic cable guide back in its slot. Thank you.

[@robertherrera419]

I have a '72 Beetle and while this in no way applies to my vehicle I still enjoyed this video as well as all your others. Keep it up, Charles. 😊

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you. 💙

[@portagekix]

First, thanks for the video. The whole channel is an incredible resource. Kudos. Here's my issue: I have a 2007 Rabbit with 2 doors, which means that I have the handle/latch on the top left of the seat which is supposed to release the seat to bend the seat forward as well as slide it forward. for easier access to allow people/stuff into the back seat. In my car, the top latch bends to seat forward but doesn't slide it forward. Here's the weird part: the lever under the front of the seat still allows the seat to move forward fine when the seat is engaged in normal sitting position. This is on the drivers side. The passenger side works fine (except for the damn faulty airbag wire underneath...). If I didn't have kids that I had to get into and out of the back seat, I wouldn't care. Anyway, was hoping for some insight. Thanks for all you do!

[@VersaVoicePodcast]

Great video. If you got your pin stuck and the seat is not locking or unlocking try putting a lot of penetration oil like PB blaster on where the pin is. It immediately released my seat locking pin and I didn't remove my seat :)

[@HumbleMechanic]

Nice

[@craig1715]

Thanks for your excellent video, I had the pin stuck open problem and thanks to your video I knew exactly where that WD40 had to go.

[@annecapellen4349]

You’re today’s hero! Thanks sooooooo very much for this super informative video!

[@Canobeach]

Great detailed yet concise video. Bought some 3n1 lock dry lube in support, thanks for posting.

[@jhuntosgarage]

Another well done and super informative video from Humble. Thanks for sharing!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks dude

[@martymarts67]

You absolute legend. My seat works like new now. Thanks.

[@OniBarix]

So if the seat moves only slightly and not all the way like yours, will this cable be the same fix? Also great video as always!

[@r.t.5667]

Greetings from Germany

[@dillanmistry]

Thank you so much perfect to what I need

[@Danish2064]

I just bought an R32 yesterday and I am really excited to build my own. I noticed the one I bought didn’t have a center counsel and I thought I had to replace it. But in this video your car doesn’t have one either. Am I supposed to have one?

[@АндрейЮров-м2ъ]

The best video in this topic! Thank u very much😉💪🤗

[@debbiedowney8407]

Great video clear. Can you do one to fix VW jetta truck lock and door

[@patrickwise3303]

Thank you!! your video made it possible for me to fix my daughter's seat and not spend a ton of money.

[@mikewiremt]

Great tutorial, love the attention to the details!

[@maveric0738]

Great job Charles! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@porterwhitaker8775]

You should do a vid on the raising and lowering arm

[@autosport3081]

Great Video,I would like to ask you what do you do to fix a worn roller that make the seat slide in the rail freely,as they can make the seat a lil bouncy.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Good question. One I’m looking into now.

[@fredjen89]

any videos for a 2005 9-3 saab? it's stuck it won't go back and forth but it does move the top portion

[@angelitot3113]

Hey Charles, you ever seen the differential axle flanges fail on a Mk3.5?

[@HumbleMechanic]

I’ve seen plenty leak oil.

[@trevorbristol3973]

Charles can you make a quick video on how to remove the center piece of the seat? Where the r logo is?

[@pbakker]

Do you have some tips to resolve a little play / rattling on these chairs? Seems to come from that same rail.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Not really on this generation. Mk3 I do. I need to look into it on this car

[@selimbulut86]

that is really perfect.I will try tomorrow.thank you very much!!

[@richardzak2051]

Hey Charles, the front bracket on my 04.5 GLI driver's seat has broken off the frame, so I can't adjust the seat forward or back. Any fix for that? It seems PO attempted to tack it back on with a welder, but obviously that didn't work. Thanks!

[@niaaaboiii9239]

what if the seat doesn’t move forward or back at all i’ve tried moving the handle under the seat and the one at the top of the seat and it doesn’t move any ideas?

[@kwhitmore43]

The instructions are mostly good for my 2001 Jetta, except for the following: (1) I had to bang on the front end of the seat rail several times to drive it to the back. (2) I couldn't get it to tilt back until I got into the back seat and used the seat back to leverage it. (3) releasing the yellow air bag connection required sliding the entire connector pair out of the white mounting bracket just to see how to release the terminal. (4) the white mounting bracket for the 3 wiring terminal pairs continues around the back of the yellow terminal pair and into a tightly wound cloth taped cable going into the floor, so the seat still can't be lifted out even after the terminals are all disconnected. I had to replace the cable with the seat rocked all the way back, but still inside the car.

[@HumbleMechanic]

I did them all in the car too. It’s just easier to show when it’s out of the car. Glad you got yours fixed up!

[@gurpreetchauhan1898]

Is it possible to make driver seat 💺flat to 180 degree 🤔, in my mitsubishi colt front seats doesn't go flat it stops at 130 ,please advise,thanks in anticipation

[@Gameon-gk1wn]

HELOO!! I HAVE A PROBLEM!! I gust buy a vw golf 6 in 2 doors, and the cable from the passenger seat broke...but is not form the adjustment, it is the cable which lets the seatback come forward to facilitate rear entry. can you help me,?

[@KirkNorton]

Dude. You are a lifesaver. Thank you for making these clear, concise, and generally awesome tutorials. Just fixed the seat in my GF's Jetta wagon in under 30 minutes.

[@rasweldon4644]

Dude, thanks for this video. you really helped me out!!

[@HumbleMechanic]

AWESOME !

[@2dominguez94]

Hey mine just broke too!!

[@dmytrowp]

Is the green connector underneath for the heated portion of the seat?

[@HumbleMechanic]

It sure is.

[@HumbleMechanic]

If it’s got power seats there will be a burgundy connector down there too

[@brucemartin8809]

Charles, I have the 💺 💺 out (airbags obviously not connected) and I need to hook the battery back up to move the AT shifter back to remove the console. Will hooking the battery back up cause any issues with the airbags?

[@HumbleMechanic]

The airbag light will be on. You’ll need a scanner to clear codes but it won’t be any issues

[@thabohendrick1021]

Mine won't move up and down. Its stuck on the top position and am a gaint person. Please help

[@tubeviplu]

Thanks! This is helpful. I believe I can do it now ... :)

[@skylarparks6485]

What in the world is pinch protection?

[@HumbleMechanic]

The auto up feature also has built in safety where if it hit something with the window, the window will stop and go back down

[@MichaelAllenPortland]

Is there a video on setting pinch protection? I thought I knew a decent amount about the MKIV, but never knew there was some process to set this.

[@HumbleMechanic]

No video. Just roll the windows down and the up with the key in the door.

[@shieldseee]

I've had some trouble with the airbag light on my vw golf mk 5 after removing the seat and starting the car. Does it need a factory reset?

[@HumbleMechanic]

The light will need to be reset. But the mk5 has big time seat airbag issues. There was a recall that didn’t r ally fix all of them

[@shieldseee]

HumbleMechanic thanks for the heads up. I'll talk to the dealership about it

[@sashkostefanoski2843]

Great video, thank you!!!

[@psy06]

wow this is so much different and harder than mk5+ platform

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yeah the mk5 seats are nice, 4 bolts and 2-3 connectors

[@anthonyawoleye3291]

Hey Humble mechanic...I have a mk4 2000 jetta, do all mk4 have the same seat cables? im wondering cause my mechanic can't find one to replace mine ...and i found an 03 jetta at scrap yard that might have the cable..just curious if it would work.

[@johnbarker3734]

Thanks for that

[@paulsouthall953]

Is this the same on a 2001 polo?

[@spencerdevries3489]

But can you take on out that’s NOT broken, that’s what I wanna know. Mine broke and I’m wondering if there’s a way to avoid $50 price tag for these things new, plenty of em at junk yard under the seat, but I can’t get em out without breaking the plastic housing that snaps in so “nicely”

[@HumbleMechanic]

a little heat you can, but they are super fragile with age.

[@spencerdevries3489]

HumbleMechanic Replying to a vid this old, that quickly, on a Sunday! You truly are a humble mechanic. 👍🏼 Thank you sir

[@aliboughalmi8802]

How to fix golf4 driver seat actuator

[@blockbertus]

"Use your 10mm socket" HAHAHAAH! Good joke, Charles. Everybody knows these do not exists/are always gone. ;-)

[@elgatoremendado1115]

I have one of those

[@gittekrog-meyerholmen2223]

Easy to use and hold weight up to 300 lb

[@fatpossum13]

I have to ask. Was the towel you used a rubber ducky towel?

[@HumbleMechanic]

It was. Lol

[@fatpossum13]

HumbleMechanic I have the same towels. Thought it looked familiar. :)

[@HumbleMechanic]

Nice!

[@jorgubb275]

When are you planing to fix the heated seats

[@HumbleMechanic]

It was a blown fuse. Lol I popped a new one in and have been testing it. So far no issues. I should pull out the current prob and see how much it draws

[@jorgubb275]

@@HumbleMechanicAh, I see. I wish mine were that easy to fix. Nice car btw.

[@GarthGoldberg]

My 10mm is missing.

[@HumbleMechanic]

I have 100 backups

[@Ont785]

Cable was a bitch and broke reinstalling. Now I’m just going to the garage. Why are they so ridiculously tight?

[@gsrhatch14]

My seat isn’t ratcheting up or down. Any ideas!?

[@bilosi4999]

Appreciate Video! Sorry for the intrusion, I am interested in your initial thoughts. Have you heard about - Trentvorty Safe Vehicle Theorem (should be on google have a look)? It is a great one of a kind product for discovering how to repair your car the simple way minus the headache. Ive heard some amazing things about it and my m8 at last got great success with it.

[@adamkiss8585]

Huge up for you mate! My cars passenger seat has the same problem. The plastic part was good, so I tried to clean the lock pin without removing the seat from the car. It was way harder because of the tiny place, but still could do it. I gave it a WD40 bath and put it back. Now smooth as F. Thank you for this awesome video! I wish I could give you 1000 like for this! Keep it up!

[@Mich7ace]

Great video as always, Charles! Love the r32 build!

[@allhandson3489]

Do you have a video fixing the cranking mechanism to lift the seat up and down my 04 Jetta won’t crank down all the way anymore and being that I’m a tall person it’s really inconvenient

[@TheSixYardBox]

Is this the cable that allows the seat tonfpld forward to allow passengers to get into the back of a 3 door golf? My driver's seat won't fold forward when I pull the handle

[@HumbleMechanic]

No that’s a different cable.

[@KeithHearnPlus]

Thanks for this video. You explained everything very well and it was very easy to see what you were doing. My wife's Beetle had a dirty plunger and wouldn't re-engage once you had the seat in position, rendering the car unusable. I had looked in there and seen that it was using a bowden cable, but needed your video to tell me how to get to it. I was barely able to pull it out of the tube, it was so dirty. A little WD-40 and it cleaned right up. I then used the cleaning rod from my 9mm pistol to clean the inside of the tube. A patch with Break-Free CLP that I use for the pistol, then a little scrubbing with the bore brush, then another patch to get the loosened dirt out. One more wet patch to lubricate it and then everything was nice and easy to slide.

[@greenie00]

Excellent video. Exactly what I needed to see. Well done. Thank you very much. Subscribed!

[@gignaposixsix9821]

Dude, you are a pro. Thank you for this, the more I see these videos, the more I need to improve my tool set. 😀

[@andrewvizla9454]

any suggestions on a 2008 passat wagon with electronic seat controls? can't find a specific video fix on KZbin. but it's stuck almost fully reclined and all the way back as well with no power to the seat controls at all

[@theadventuresofjavier8698]

As always a quality video.one thing missing. Face mask, and heavy gloves.(lol) I remember when I was a young pup I had training in how to deal with airbags when they first came out. They highly recommended a face mask and gloves.i laughed when I saw you removing the connector to the air bag.try doing that with gloves lmao.however I did have a bag deploy on an 05 Chevy van when a power cable shorted under the drivers seat and almost hurt me.i see why the directors were concerned at that training class.it sounded like a 12 gauge going off besides my ear. But in reality we can't do all the intricate repairs with heavy gloves.i do appreciate all the safety recommendations. Cheers

[@HumbleMechanic]

Always good to keep safety in mind. That’s why I showed disconnecting the battery. That’s actually something I never do when working with these seats.

[@adams7872]

I had a '99 Passat and those two 13 mm seat mounts were nuts

[@HumbleMechanic]

Maybe they switched on B5.5.

[@barrackyomamma]

The models with power seats had bolts, the ones with manual seats had nuts.

[@johnfitbyfaithnet]

Thank you for sharing this important information listening from Brownwood Texas my daughter has the 2001 1.8T Beetle

[@zacharywood3234]

Ive watched a couple of your videos pertaining to seats today and a ton in the past and I know you used to have a cabrio, I'm trying to see how to remove the seats and I'm having no luck, any bit of info would be greatly appreciated!

[@redjaden367]

I have a 08 Beetle with the 2.5l. The car has the one big cooling fan. Is there a way to make the fan come on for testing, it only has four wires. Thanks, love you channel!

[@HumbleMechanic]

That’s a whole different animal.

[@philiplee6940]

though my car is not a VW, i tested if the cooling fan worked by just having the engine on while the car was parked, after some time, the engine would get hot enough so the fan turned on by itself. hopes this helps.

[@rockrangel]

Help! The driver seat of my fiat 500 abarth driver seat wont lock into upright position!

[@jordangaunt50]

My Volkswagen Beetle won’t click into place other then in the way front or back, will this be the same part I will need?

[@timlambert7680]

Where did you find a replacement cable that didn't cost so much?

[@bates884]

Thank you so much for making the best VW tutorials ever

[@johnfitbyfaithnet]

Agreed

[@speshdyer4616]

Where-else can I get it this cable it’s no longer available on Amazon

[@mprior93]

MKV videos soon?!?!?

[@HumbleMechanic]

Sould have the door latch video out next week. Ran into a handful of snags on it. Lol

[@coolissimo69]

Thanks Charles onde again for a great tutorial.

[@austinshupe9626]

Hahaha i just did this a week ago. I removed all the seats and cleaned my carpet on my 02 vr6 gti. I love your videos and i love how much detail goes into them. Keep up the amazing work!!!!!!!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks so much!!

[@billdaniels1319]

Thanks for the well done video. Just changed the seat cable in our 2008 VW Beetle convertible and your video was a huge help. Thanks again and Best Wishes!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Awesome.

[@userpike]

Please do a vid fixing the braided cables that allow for the seat back to come forward so that passengers can get into the back seats. The cables are connected to the latches on the sides of the seats and tend to break where the back of the seat meets the bottom of the seat.

[@HumbleMechanic]

That’s another great video

[@mattsword2840]

@@HumbleMechanic yes, please!

[@MatthewGDunlap]

What about people that can never find their 10mm socket?

[@HumbleMechanic]

I think you have to use teeth? 😂

[@khawajafree]

thanks bro

[@pmccauley1994]

first

[@gurbeerathwal9406]

How do you set the pinch orotection

[@HumbleMechanic]

Roll the windows up with the key In the door

[@RyanSollars]

Thanks for the video

[@johnfitbyfaithnet]

The Amazon link for the seat cable didn't work

[@HumbleMechanic]

Oh sorry about that. I’ll look at it when I get to me computer

[@vdubbed8584]

Big help thanks

[@reneperez4555]

Nice job

[@bmwdriven]

Thank you! Saved me a bunch of time and fixed it without having to replace the cable.

[@danielnl319]

Will there be a r32 suspension video!?

[@HumbleMechanic]

Yes!! A few actually.

[@1963tigre]

I would put the cable on the handle first. That plastic piece connecting to the cable is pretty rigid and hard to manipulate when the other end is on the runner release. It worked for me as getting the handle end on was just getting nowhere. Also, why does VW not use the space better under the seats??? I made sure all electrical connectors etc were out of the way so I didn't damage any of those while fitting this cable. Still very tight after all is installed

[@annecapellen4349]

This is great! One question: Does the same cable work on the passenger (right) seat? If not, where can I get one of those?

[@joostsonneveld5407]

Hey, do you know if it is possible to convert mk6 sedan seats to easy acces seats? Or is the inside different? Or only add an release hatch?

[@teehaich8049]

Hey, i have the same issue with my Audi A3 passenger seat; could I still follow this video or would it differ?

[@matthewwagner3625]

Awesome! It worked! Thanks for this great video.

[@thomasdingo5191]

Very good video came in very handy for me. Thanks

[@ademsadikovic1593]

Thank you man it works perfect ❤