newbie member and first question

[Mark Bajus]

Hello all! So glad to find this site, amazing resource to have. I (actually we, my wife does most of the driving of the bird as I am 6'7" and don't fit all that well...) are the proud owners of a black 56 thats in pretty decent shape.(picture attached, hope it works). We've had it for 8 years now. Small things go wrong every once in a while, but generally our bird has been pretty darn good.

One problem has just surfaced that is a real pain for me, the power seat has decided it wont go back, just forward. Generally it just sits in the farthest back position, but I bumped it, and it moved forward, and now wont go back. Any thoughts as to how to best approach diagnosis and cure?

Cheers!

Mark Bajus

 

[Mark Bajus]

no-one has any tips they can pass on? Please??

 

[gbhrps]

Mark,

Years ago I had one of the two motors for the seat refuse to move. I removed the motor and screw drive from the car, and on the work bench I discovered the problem.

The screw drive was locked up at its extended position. The motor, when separated from it, would run both directions, and wasn't the problem. The screw drive refused to turn on its own. With a little persuasion, some gear lube, and a good cleaning, once reassembled in the car it has worked beautifully since.

Yours may be the same.

I suggest putting your hand on the relays (on the wall behind the seat back) as you push the seat buttons. See if you can feel the relays vibrate when they get juiced. If they do, then your problem may be the motor brushes (rebuild time) or the screw drives. You"ll need to pull the unit from the car to fix them.

If the relays don't vibrate, you may have a bad switch contact or burned relay contacts. A 2004 parts catalogue from National Parts Depot has the relays priced at $35. As for seat motor rebuilding, a good automotive electrical shop can do them fairly cheaply.

Good Luck, and keep us posted as to what you find.