So yesterday before my class, I took a nap in the parking lot. Reclined the seat and napped away for a good 30 minutes. When it was time for class, I got up and I usually just hit Memory 1 to return it to my sweet spot. Well, the seat slid forward, but the back support would NOT move up.

I thought that was odd, so I tried manually. Nothing. I tried reclining it even MORE, and yup, that worked. But when I tried to bring it back up, no dice. Any ideas? Are there separate motors for reclining back and forward? Anyone have this problem. Kind of a big deal since i'm now driving to work like I got a low-rider...and my back is killing me. Luckily I only have a 30 min commute to work each way. I'm hoping someone has a quick fix....or at least can tell me what to tell the dealer to fix.

Thanks guys!

CLIFF NOTES: Problem - Driver's side power seat will slide back and forth BUT only recline BACK and not forwards. Ideas?

 

Pop off the platic side cover on the seat and try to move the gears manually. There are two motors for the bottom and the back. Mine did that once before where it would only recline more. Try cleaning the gears out and then lubing them up with some grease.

 

good idea...any particular gear lube you use?

What happened in your case? Did it end up working again once you cleaned/re-greased the gears?

 

I actually didnt clean or grease the gears. I was in a bind and just basically broke the gear loose. Its been working since so I havent messed with it.

 

good stuff..thanks civic! i'll take a look when I get home...

now when you say plastic cover, i assume you're talking about underneath the seat...is it pretty clear where the gear is, or do I have to do some searching for it?

 

Its the plastic cover thats on the side where the controls are. Pop it off and the gear is right there on the hinge for the seat back.

 

FIXED. Thanks civic! It was a combination of your suggestion and actually lifting the manual level on the side (as if a passenger was going into the back seat) and then using a bit of force, to "slam" it back into place. After that, it worked. Oh well...i'll take it!

 

NP. They like to jam for some reason.

 

once i bought the car, the driver's seat got stuck within one week. recently had to jump-start my car, and all over a sudden the seat had started working again. But now the passenger seat has the same problem.

 

I had the same problem with my passenger seat. I followed the directions from various searches.

I would add that it is a easy process. Tools needed 14 mm socket, phillips screwdriver, flat head screwdriver. Remove the two bolts one front and one back of the seat nearest to the door. This allows you to lift up one side if the seat and place a vlock of wood to keep it raised about 3 to 3 inches. This will allow you to remove the two plugs that cover the the screws that allow you to remove the side controls from the seat. You will find a cloth covering the motor. Remove the 3 screws on the cirlcle part of the motor. I had to wiggle the motor to free it. You can then test to see that your motor works if it does then the gear is probably stuck. With the cloth pulled up you will see the gear though the motor opening and it is a large gear that you can see from the top of the exposed seat frame. I used the broad flat screwdriver and a hammer to force the gear downward. You will notive the seat recline. This and some grease frees up the gear. Mine worked like new afterwards. Just reassemble. Hope this works for you. Took less than a 1/2 hour.

 

No clue as to what's going on. I can hear the motor click, and the seat will raise forward or tilt back, but it will not slide forward or back. Any suggestion would help.

 

Just spray some rust breaker inside the gears. It worked fine for me after that. Of course i had to bang on the gears behind the seat to get them loose. Hope you fixed yours