69 Cutlass Power Seat Repairs

Doug69Cutlass · January 10th, 2009, 09:51 AM

Has anyone ever made repairs to their power seats? I have a 4 way power seat on the drivers side. The mechanics of the seat still work but it is weak and slow. If I am not sitting on the seat it will move backward, forward or tilt, but if I am sitting on it it doesn't have the power to move on its own but does not blow the fuse. Does anyone have any sugestions on what may need to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced to refurbish this seat?

Thanks,
Doug

joe_padavano · January 10th, 2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug69Cutlass

Has anyone ever made repairs to their power seats? I have a 4 way power seat on the drivers side. The mechanics of the seat still work but it is weak and slow. If I am not sitting on the seat it will move backward, forward or tilt, but if I am sitting on it it doesn't have the power to move on its own but does not blow the fuse. Does anyone have any sugestions on what may need to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced to refurbish this seat?

Thanks,
Doug

The first thing to do is to ensure the seat tracks and drive screws are clean and properly lubricated. Assuming that is done, the next most likely problem would be the brushes in the drive motors. Finally, verify that all the connectors in the wiring harness from the switches to the motors are clean and making good contact. The connectors can corrode, increasing resistance.

joe_padavano · January 10th, 2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug69Cutlass

Has anyone ever made repairs to their power seats? I have a 4 way power seat on the drivers side. The mechanics of the seat still work but it is weak and slow. If I am not sitting on the seat it will move backward, forward or tilt, but if I am sitting on it it doesn't have the power to move on its own but does not blow the fuse. Does anyone have any sugestions on what may need to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced to refurbish this seat?

Thanks,
Doug

The first thing to do is to ensure the seat tracks and drive screws are clean and properly lubricated. Assuming that is done, the next most likely problem would be the brushes in the drive motors. Finally, verify that all the connectors in the wiring harness from the switches to the motors are clean and making good contact. The connectors can corrode, increasing resistance.

7244too · January 10th, 2009, 02:06 PM

Doug
You might want to check that the drive belt is not slipping. Does the motor bog down with weight on the seat, or does the unit just not move? It the motor doesn't seam to be having a hard time, it may just be a bad drive belt or something on the belt or one of the pulleys. Joe is right on with the cleaning and lubing. There's a lot of crap that gets deposited in the lube on the tracks and gears. If you can remove the seat from the car (if you haven't already) you'll be able to get a better look at things. First thing you could try would be some compressed air to blow things out. If it looks pretty clean try using some motorcycle chain spray lube. Hope you get it fixed!

Doug69Cutlass · January 11th, 2009, 10:49 AM

Thanks, these tips will give me a good start. No I haven't removed the seat yet becasue I was working on many of the other needed repairs last year like weather strip replacement, coolant leaks, and such, but I am going to go after the seat repair this spring as soon as the temperature gets a little warmer out side. It was -2 F. this morning. I will try cleaning off all old grease, relubing with light grease, and cleaning up all the old connectors and wipers first and see where that gets me.

Thanks,
Doug

Olds64 · January 11th, 2009, 12:36 PM

If cleaning and lubing the power seat track and motor doesn't fix your problem you might consider having the motor rebuilt locally. Most shops that repair electric motors in vacuum cleaners and starters can rewind and repair the small electric motor which powers your seat.

Doug69Cutlass · January 11th, 2009, 01:37 PM

I will keep the motor repair in mind also. If I am lucky I won't have to go that far with the repair.

Thanks,

January 10th, 2009, 09:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
Doug69Cutlass Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 71	69 Cutlass Power Seat Repairs Has anyone ever made repairs to their power seats? I have a 4 way power seat on the drivers side. The mechanics of the seat still work but it is weak and slow. If I am not sitting on the seat it will move backward, forward or tilt, but if I am sitting on it it doesn't have the power to move on its own but does not blow the fuse. Does anyone have any sugestions on what may need to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced to refurbish this seat? Thanks, Doug

January 10th, 2009, 02:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
7244too Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Emmaus PA Posts: 100	Doug You might want to check that the drive belt is not slipping. Does the motor bog down with weight on the seat, or does the unit just not move? It the motor doesn't seam to be having a hard time, it may just be a bad drive belt or something on the belt or one of the pulleys. Joe is right on with the cleaning and lubing. There's a lot of crap that gets deposited in the lube on the tracks and gears. If you can remove the seat from the car (if you haven't already) you'll be able to get a better look at things. First thing you could try would be some compressed air to blow things out. If it looks pretty clean try using some motorcycle chain spray lube. Hope you get it fixed! __________________ No...It's not a Chevelle or a GTO! It's an Olds CUTLASS!!!

January 11th, 2009, 10:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
Doug69Cutlass Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 71	Thanks, these tips will give me a good start. No I haven't removed the seat yet becasue I was working on many of the other needed repairs last year like weather strip replacement, coolant leaks, and such, but I am going to go after the seat repair this spring as soon as the temperature gets a little warmer out side. It was -2 F. this morning. I will try cleaning off all old grease, relubing with light grease, and cleaning up all the old connectors and wipers first and see where that gets me. Thanks, Doug __________________ Doug '69 Cutlass Sport Convertible

January 11th, 2009, 12:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	If cleaning and lubing the power seat track and motor doesn't fix your problem you might consider having the motor rebuilt locally. Most shops that repair electric motors in vacuum cleaners and starters can rewind and repair the small electric motor which powers your seat. __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

January 11th, 2009, 01:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
Doug69Cutlass Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 71	I will keep the motor repair in mind also. If I am lucky I won't have to go that far with the repair. Thanks, __________________ Doug '69 Cutlass Sport Convertible

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