2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission ? on electric seat switch

[T Peterson]

Both seat switches are failing quickly, I would assume these are sealed units but has anyone tried to service these or should I just order new ones?

Thanks,

Tom

 

[Joe Mc]

At least on mine it wasn't the switches, motors are bad. Unfortunately, you can't buy just one motor new, it comes as a whole assembly and costs like $400. 00 from dealer.

You could test the motors to make sure they are not the nature of the problem and/or test the switches as well.

 

[T Peterson]

Thanks Joe, for the last 6mos. or more I've just had to monkey with the switch and eventually it would work so I don't think it's the motors but Your point is well taken, I'd better check before I go trowing money at it, I learned my lesson last year with a cam sensor that ended up costing over $1100 for a 100 dollar fix. Tom

 

[Joe Mc]

OUCH, Tom that hurt. I've been dealing with my seat situation for about 3 - 4 years. I'm lucky in respect to I'm the only one that drives my truck so the seat doesn't get moved. When the motors (forward and aft, and the seat bottom rear up down) stopped working I took the assy out, put on a bench to work on it, took the motors that weren't working off the assy, disassembled them, clean the contacts etc, lubed the gears, put it all back together and everything worked fine - 2 or 3 times then stopped working. So I got the seat situated where its comfortable for me and that's where it stays. I don't like the fact that it doesn't work right, but until I can find what I need in a yard I'll deal and keel the $400 +/- in my pocket. Hope in your case it's just the switch.

 

[budnate]

they usually get dirty inside, pull it and load the heck out if it with wd-40 till its oozing from every crack, work all the switches a bunch and let it run out of everywhere and shoot air into the cracks all over and do it again a few times, made my switch work like butter.

 

[T Peterson]

Thanks guys for the info, Joe, I'm the same way with my seat about the only time it moves is when I accidentally bump it getting in or out, must be a cheesy motor that won't run for more than 5 minutes over it's lifetime. Budnate, definately sounds like a good place to start, I hope it works for me and it's not motors. Tom

 

[SWC]

The switches for the power seats are not sealed. I took the switch apart on my truck. Nothing comes flying out when the case is separated just do it slowly and over a table or work bench. To get to the switch remove the plastic cover on the left side of the drivers seat. 4 screws I believe one of which is for the seat recline lever. There should be enough wire to get to 2 screws holding the switchs in place. To remove the wire harness from the switch block push down on some clips. Pry back and forth as it may take abit to get all of the pins to release from their sockets. Same thing with separating the case.

These switches are amazingly simple. Just take your time if you have never done this before.

My fore & aft switch would only move the seat back. That one is the most complicated switch as that is a 4 way rocker. The contact point for the forward switch was bent slightly. I was able to bend it back to its proper shape by comparing it to the others switches. Be careful with these and bend a little bit at a time if you have to. I also took a piece of emery cloth lightly sanded that contact. Fortunately in my case that worked.

To check the motors remove the seat bottom 4 bolts 10mm head if I remember and the seat pulls out very easily. To check the motors unhook the wiring harness for each motor and use a 12 volt source of some kind and just connect + to one wire and - to the other. To reverse directions reverse the + - source.

The motor for the rear of the seat height as been uncooperative for quite some time on my truck. I went to a fellow who specializes in Dodges and has lots of used stuff around. I spent an afternoon with him and I don't know how many seats we checked. Several had that motor out or if the motor was still in the frame it did not work.

Sorry this got so long.

Hope this helps.

Stan

 

[T Peterson]

Stan, very informative post. I now feel like I can do this and do it right, still hoping its not motor problems. Thanks, Tom