Powered driver's seat problem

[Spencer Wallman]

Have a 2002 Sport Trac with 140k on it (I'm original owner) and I'm having an issue getting the power seat to move all the way forward. It only gets so far and then seems to stop. Can't see anything undeneath that would be holding it up. Any suggestions ?

 

[John G]

the 2002 workshop manual has a page for diagnosis of "THE POWER SEAT DOES NOT MAKE FULL TRAVEL"



here's what it says:



1. for vehicles with side air bags, deactivate them

2. remove the driver seat

* are there any obstructions in the seat track?

yes: remove the obstructions and grease track

no: install a new seat track assembly

 

[Spencer Wallman]

Thanks for the prompt reply. Any writeups anywhere on removing the seat ? I guess that's my next step. I don't think I'll be purchasing a new assembly (from what I hear they run around $ 400??)



I did find an ebay buyer that is selling motors for around $ 45. Hope that's all it might be.

 

[John G]

well, removing the drivers seat is several pages in the manual. Mostly it is removing four bolts and some electrical connectors.



The steps in the manual:



move front seat fully back

remove two bolts holding the front track to the floor

move the seat fully forward and tilt forward

disconnect battery

disconnect electrical connector on seat

remove safety belt buckle support using special tool (maybe it's the same as a T-50 wrench bit but I'm not sure)

disconnect safety belt warning electrical connector on seat

remove two trim covers at the rear of the tracks

remove two bolts at the rear of the tracks

remove seat

 

[John Jenkins 2]

With my 2001 and ~140k miles I had the same problem with the seat not going all the way forward. Underneath was clear and looked several times as nothing was obviously causing the problem.



Found the "Slide Bar", (which is below seat level on the Right side of the drivers seat adjacent to the console and out of sight), had a 'ding ' on the top of the plastic covering and when the drivers seat belt strap (console side) tried to move with the seat it would bind and cause the seat motor to stop as if the seat was all the way forward.



By lifting on the drivers right seat belt strap and pushing it along the Slide Bar from behind while my son operated the seat control was able to get the get the seat to go all the way forward



Used a screw driver and pump pliers to "squish" the plastic covering back into shape to remove the "ding"..



Seat adjustment went from "just close enough to reach the pedals" to "about got shoved through the Steering Wheel".



Nice thing about this fix is the seat was not removed as the "ding" was accessible when the seat was all the way forward...so far this temp fix has worked but expect to have replace that Slide Bar someday in the future.