At first glance, the power seat switch doesn’t seem critical to your car in the same way as, say, the brakes or steering wheel. However, it’s more important than you think because it lets you adjust your seat. A properly adjusted seat doesn’t just keep you comfortable while driving. It also contributes to your safety during a collision. If the power seat switch stops working, you should get a replacement as early as possible.
Here are some tips that can help you replace the power seat switch:
Many power seat switches are covered by a plastic piece that protects against damage and keeps contaminants away from sensitive components. You must remove the piece before you can do the same for the seat trim panel.
Use a trim removal tool with a forked end to remove the plastic piece from the power seat switch. Hook the forked end on the edge of the piece and firmly pull it off.
In an emergency, you can use a screwdriver to pry the power seat switch off. However, this makeshift approach might damage its attachment points.
Other power seat controls use individual buttons, one for each direction, instead of a multi-directional switch.
On either side of the power seat bottom are trim panels that hide the internal workings. Also called bezel covers, the panels hold the mounting screws for the power seat switch. If you want to access the power seat switch, you must remove the trim panel that covers the side of the seat that mounts the switch.
Some trim panels use screws to fasten them to the seat. You must unscrew the fasteners before you can pry the panel off.
Other trim panels use plastic clips to attach them to the side of the power seat. Some panels combine screws and clips for added security. You can usually tell if the trim panel has clips because the cover stays in place despite not having any visible screws.
You can safely remove a trim panel that’s held by clips with a pry tool. Work the business end of the tool between the panel and the seat frame. Next, move the tool sideways to unlatch the clips. Once you unfastened all the clips, draw the trim panel away from the seat. Alternatively, you can pry the trim panel off by hand, but that might damage one of the plastic clips.
The power seat switch is usually mounted to the panel with screws to prevent it from moving around. Turn over the trim panel that you have recently removed from the seat. Now you can access the switch mounting screws. Remove the screws with a screwdriver that has a compatible head.
After removing the mounting screws, release the wiring harness connector that’s plugged into the power seat. Lift the switch upward and detach it from the harness.
Put the old power seat switch away to make room for the new one. Repeat this process except in reverse.
Test the newly installed power seat switch. If it fails to operate correctly, you might have to figure out what went wrong during installation.
The power seat switch is a component that lets you adjust the position of the power seat. Sometimes called the seat control switch, it lets you move the seat in different directions over the rails.
Many power seat switches also control the movement of the back of the seat. With the push of a button or knob, you can get the back to lean forward or backward.
The power seat switch controls the electric motors underneath the seat. Depending on the functions available, there are 3-5 electric motors on the seat frame. The switch is designed to operate each motor in forward or reverse as needed to put the seat where the driver wants it. The motors attach to the seat rails through drive cables.
When you press a button or move the switch, it transmits power and ground to the two terminals on the appropriate motor. If you move too far and want to reverse the direction you first moved the seat, the switch reverses polarity to the motor and it runs in the opposite direction. Power seat motors are similar in that regard to power window motors. The motor will adjust, tilt, raise, or lower the seat until you release the switch or the seat cannot move anymore.
Some vehicles have multiple power seat switches. Most all power seats will move forward and back and will tilt in the front or rear, raise, and lower, and some will do all those with a single multi-function switch. But some have motors that will recline the seat. Typically, power seats are found on higher end vehicles, but manually adjusted seats are just about as common.
Like any other car part, the power seat switch can wear out or fail. The contacts in the switch can wear down or corrode, affecting the switch’s ability to control the movement of the power seat.
Here are the most common symptoms of a bad power seat switch:
If the power seat switch stops working, don’t replace it immediately. Check the fuse box, relays, and power seat motor first. Blown fuses, bad relays, and faulty motors can prevent the seat from responding to a working switch. Additionally, inspect the rails for anything that might jam the motors or the seat.
While the power seat switch mainly concerns your comfort while driving, its connection to the power seat makes it more important than you might think initially. A faulty switch won’t stop you from driving, but it doesn’t take much effort to replace the part.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.