Power Failure (Broken Power Seat)
September 27, 2020
Know anyone who doesn't love a power seat in an SUV, a car, truck or van? They're convenient and precise in their adjustments. But when they break, oh, what a pain. Not only is it inconvenient, it may leave your seat position too close to the steering wheel or too far from the pedals. This is a must-fix problem.
There are many things that cause a power seat to fail:
- Seat controls. These are either at the side of the seat or in the door. Both are places that can be exposed to moisture or other contaminants. When the controls stop working, they usually need to be replaced.
- Seat motor. Electric motors are what make a power seat move, and sometimes they fail. Sometimes they just get worked to death and die of old age. Replacement is the most common remedy.
- Fuses. A power seat is, after all, powered by electricity and all vehicle power systems have fuses to protect them. A technician can determine which fuse may have blown and replace it. But it's also important to figure out what caused the fuse to blow and deal with that, too.
- Wires. There are wires under the seats that move when you move the seat. Sometimes they get stretched, kinked or ripped. In a power seat malfunction, it may be a wiring harness that needs to be replaced.
- Gears. They help the seat move and may need to be realigned or replaced.
- Obstructions. Yes, a piece of trash or a kid's toy has been known to jam up the works of a power seat. Taking them out of the mechanism may get your seat working again.
Most people pay extra to have power seats in a vehicle. So make sure you keep that convenient feature working. And don't forget that it's a safety issue, too.
Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta
10 Northtown Drive
Sparta, Illinois 62286
618-443-6112
http://www.charliesfastlubesparta.com
Need Service?
More articles from Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta

Alternator Facts (Failing Alternator)
April 13, 2025
If you notice that your headlights are flickering at night, that's something to pay attention to. While there could be many different things that could cause that problem, one possibility is your vehicle's alternator. The alternator takes mechanical energy from the engine and turns it into electr... More

I Had No Idea! (Four Things You Didn't Know About Vehicles)
April 6, 2025
Bet you didn't know: Some of the earliest rearview mirrors were marketed as "Cop Spotters" so drivers would know when police were following them. Who wants a ticket, anyway? According to eBay Motors, Elmer Berger first patented a rearview mirror that was mounted on the front fenders, on the spare... More

Mercury Rising (Hot Weather Vehicle Concerns)
March 30, 2025
The heat is on, and your vehicle takes a beating when it is. Several of your vehicle's systems are under extra stress in hot weather, so here are a few to make sure are getting the care and maintenance they need. It makes sense that the cooling system is one to make sure is in top shape. Vehicl... More