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Topic: Power seat is dead (Read 4105 times) previous topic - next topic

Power seat is dead

Need some help with the drivers side seat.  It did work, and then one day it just quit.  Nothing works on it, not even the recline part.  So I took it out and noticed what seems to be 2 relays, anyone know if that could be the trouble.  If not, where should I start looking?

Re: Power seat is dead

Reply #1
I'm thinking about switching to newer Stang seats, will they fit, will it work?

Re: Power seat is dead

Reply #2
the new seats will work but they have to be mounted back on the same seat rails. Now as for the seat not moving thingy, chances are pretty good that it is wireing. On my car the same thing happends. The little consolette thingy flexes the wires everything that you move the seat forwards or back. So I wouild check that a well as the relays
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Re: Power seat is dead

Reply #3
there arent any relays.,, the relays under the pass seat are for the power door locks.

circuit breaker?

are you getting any power to any of the wires?
check the black/white wire for power coming from fuse 12,  20amp

do you have power recline,, if so, its also getting power from the same fuse.

the only seat circuit i know of that has a relay associated with it would be the heates seats. the first relay delivers power to an individual relay. From there power is delivered to a relay on the driver and a relay on the pass heating elements.  that makes a total of three relays for one feature.

Re: Power seat is dead

Reply #4
Yeah I figured out that the relays are for the heated seats, now I just have to go buy a circuit tester since I can't find mine

 

Re: Power seat is dead

Reply #5
no you dont silly,,, :D
remove the fuse
install a paper clip in place of the fuse
see if the seats opperate,, if they do,, then you know your circuit breaker is bad.

as for the circuit tester,,,,, you have one.
undo the single wire that goes to the light bulb under your steering column or maybe the one in the glove box.
shove a 6' long wire up in the light bulb plug you just undid
locate the black / white wire that feeds your seats i mentioned
insert the wire into that hole on the socket.

if your getting power,, the lightbulb will come on.....instant light tester. ;)


if your black /white wire has power and the seats dont work, its possible that the switch has too much coca cola or goop inside it.  its all one switch and they do go bad.
another option would be the seat track has pocket change in it putting your motor in a bind,, unlikely since all features dont work.

if you feel real froggy, undo the plug that goes to the switch
jumper the black/white to the ..........
yellow/white = forward
red/white = reverse

there are many other wires but all this will verify the circuit breaker, switch assembly or motor is bad.
highly unlikely for the motors since there are three of them i think.

Re: Power seat is dead

Reply #6
Sounds good, thanks, I'll try it tommorow and see what I find.

Re: Power seat is dead

Reply #7
Alright, I have power from the switch all the way into the circuit board that is in that black box, but none leaving it.  So what can I do, can I go to the junkyard and grab one out of another car, or does it have to be a car with heated seats too, any suggestions?

Re: Power seat is dead

Reply #8
if the black box you mention is the "SWITCH"
then just replace that.  you got the pick of the litter on this cause that switch covers many years.

if that black box is not the switch, then i am clueless.
the evtm showes the all seat features getting power from fuse 12.

the heated seats are a total of three relays,, one main one and one for each seat which appear to be always engergized unless the key is off.  kind of wierd if you ask me,, having a loaded circuit that isnt used but half the time.

Re: Power seat is dead

Reply #9
If they always worked great and they suddenly stopped and never worked again, check your breaker like Jcassity said....

If It was working for couple of sec or it makes strange moves instead of what you wanted... or maybe totally not working when the passenger seat is still fully operationnal?

if it does, Dont look any further.....
I have your answer.....  :D
Mine was exactly like your .... till 3 weeks-ago.... :D

You will need to change the 5 unsealed relay in the control box (under the Driver seats....).  Dont even think of getting a used unit at the yard.... they will do the same soon or later anyway.....

I figure it out after a couple of days trying everything....
Your relay contact are weak after 17 years and they dont make contact enough and the computer disengage by itself thinking the seat is at its maximum of where it can go....

My seats now works like a new ones..... How much it cost? 5$+tax !!
I bought 5x new "G5LE" Omron type sealed relay (PCB SPDT 10A 12VDC)... They have the same pinout and fits perfect..... next time ill remove my seats ill take picture....

If you cant find any, the store near my house still have at least 50 in stock.... but he wont get anymore later.... this is a discontinued part on digikey.ca.... im pretty sure another company is making em... this is a standard/common pinout configuration...
Let me know if interested....

Everything in both seats are controled by the black box under the driver seats... ajustement and recline... (except the heating seats)

Tips : If you do this, Change All the relay.... not only some of them...

Re: Power seat is dead

Reply #10
That sounds like it might be my problem, as soon as I install the new ones I'll let you know.

Re: Power seat is dead

Reply #11
While you're at it, if you r good in electronic, i'll suggest you to reinforce the cricuit by adding a .01uf ceramic capacitor per relay under the board, between the source and the contact to prolong your relay's life by 300%.... It will absorb the little Arc that any relay will do when the contact is made... That probably what happened to your actual relays after so many years...

Its no big deal if you dont do it.... it lasted the last 17 years anyway isn't it?.....  :tg:  :hick:
But i did.... :D


Re: Power seat is dead

Reply #13
They look close enough to me..... and they have same pin configuration.....

I'd say : Go Ahead....  :D  :locked: