DESCRIPTION
Power seats are operated by toggle type switches on the left side of the seat or in the left door arm rest. Seat adjusters are actuated by a 12-volt reversible motor with an internal circuit breaker. An external 30 ampere plug-in type circuit breaker is also used to protect power seat wiring and is mounted on fuse panel.
2-WAY POWER SEATS
These seats operate in forward and rearward directions only. Control switch energizes motor. At each end of the motor shaft is a jack screw which turns the seat adjusters in the desired direction through a horizontal gear nut attached to the seat adjustor.
6-WAY POWER SEATS
Two seat adjuster assemblies are used. Fleetwood, Eldorado, and Seville models use an adjuster with 3 permanent magnet motors. Drive cables connect motors to transmission assemblies at each side of seat.
All other models use a single motor with 3 solenoids, 6 drive cables, and 2 transmission assemblies. When the control switch is actuated, a double set of contacts first energize the solenoid, engaging drive gear to motor. The motor then is powered to move the seat. Releasing the switch disengages the drive motor from the cables.
POWER RECLINING SEAT BACK
This feature is available on all Cadillac models (except Limousine), Buick LeSabre, Electra and Riviera, and Oldsmobile 98 and Toronado. The system includes a motor located under the seat, drive cable, actuator and control switch. The switch is located on the edge of the seat or in the armrest. Power seat backs operate independently of other power seat adjustments.
HORIZONTAL ACTUATOR ADJUSTMENT
- Chucking can be corrected by adjusting the horizontal actuator and pinion gear to full mesh with the lower adjuster lower track rack-gear. Operate seat to full up position, and approximately a 3/4 full forward position. Loosen horizontal actuator screws.
- Using a large screwdriver, apply outward pressure on horizontal actuator (about 15-25 lbs.) and at the same time energize horizontal switch to move seat fore and aft slightly. This helps set the horizontal actuator pinion gear teeth tight to the lower track rack gear teeth and eliminate free play between gear teeth. While maintaining outward pressure against horizontal actuator, tighten screws.
SEAT ADJUSTER PHASING
When installing power seat adjusters (except at back recliner), each pair of adjusters must be in phase with each other. When adjusters are out of phase, one adjuster will reach its maximum travel before the other, resulting in improper travel of seat.
Horizontal Travel
Operate seat until one adjuster reaches full forward position. Detach horizontal drive cable from adjuster which has reached full forward position. Now operate seat forward until other adjuster reaches full forward position. Reconnect drive cable of early adjuster. Adjusters are now in phase.
Vertical Travel (Front or Rear)
1) Operate seat until one adjuster has reached fully raised position at both front and rear vertical travel limits. Disconnect both front and rear vertical drive cables from adjuster which has reached fully raised position.
2) Operate seat until other adjuster reaches fully raised position. Now reconnect cables of early adjuster. Seat should now be in phase. If not, repeat the above procedure.
Horizontal Actuator Adjustment. Scheme 1
MECHANICAL
Jerky Horizontal Operation
Improper lubrication of adjuster shoes and channels. Adjuster shoes too tight in upper channels. Adjuster horizontal actuator gear too tight to rack gear.
Horizontal Chuck or Looseness
Horizontal actuator improperly adjusted.
One Adjuster Will Not Operate Horizontally
Horizontal drive cable damaged or disconnected. Horizontal actuator inoperative.
One Adjuster Will Not Operate Vertically
Vertical drive cable disconnected or damaged. Vertical gear nut inoperative.
Vertical Chuck or Looseness
Excessive clearance at the vertical gear nut tension spring.
Power Seat Back Motor Operates, But Seat Back Does Not Move
Drive cable disconnected or broken. Damaged or broken reclining actuator gear nut. Reclining actuator disconnected from arm of the seat back lock. Incorrect seat back lock.
Power Seat Back Operation Jerky
Kink or damage to drive cable. Bind in reclining hinge arm. Damaged or bent jackscrew. Damaged actuator gear nut. Insufficient lubrication. Jackscrew stop nut is loose.
ELECTRICAL
Inoperative Adjuster Motor
Check for shorted or open circuit between power source, switch, and/or motor. Check for a defective adjuster motor.
Motor Operates But Adjusters Will Not Operate
Check for a shorted or open circuit between switch and solenoid. Check solenoid for defects.
Motor Operates But Adjusters Or
Recliner Only Operate In One Direction
Check for a shorted or open circuit between one of the motor fields and control switch. Check for a defective field coil.
SEAT ASSEMBLY
Removal & Installation
1) Remove seat belt-to-floor anchor plate attaching bolts. Where required, remove door sill plates and turn carpet to gain access to adjuster-to-floor pan attaching bolts. Operate seat to full forward and up position. At rear of adjusters, remove adjuster-to-floor pan rear attaching bolts.
2) Operate seat to full rearward and full rear tilt position. Remove front adjuster-to-floor pan nuts. Disconnect electrical wire harness under seat and remove seat. To install, reverse removal procedure.
SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY
Removal & Installation
Remove seat as outlined above. Place seat upside down on bench. Disconnect drive cables at adjuster being removed; squeeze along connector to detach. On bucket seats, remove adjuster-to-seat bottom attaching bolts and remove seat adjuster. To install, reverse removal procedure, checking to be sure seats are in phase.
6-Way Seat Adjuster Mechanism. Scheme 2
SEAT BACK RECLINING ACTUATOR
Removal & Installation
Remove seat as outlined above. Detach outboard side of seat cushion cover to gain access to front and rear actuator attaching bolts. Remove bolts from actuator and remove actuator and frame. To install, reverse removal procedure.
DRIVE MOTOR
Removal & Installation (2-Way Seat)
If seat is operable, operate seat to a midway position. Remove front seat adjuster-to-floor pan attaching bolts and tilt seat rearward. Remove lower drive cables from motor support bracket to seat bottom frame and remove motor with bracket attached. Disassemble motor and bracket as a bench operation. To install, reverse removal procedure.
Removal & Installation (6-Way Seat)
Remove front seat assembly and place upside down on clean surface. Disconnect wiring. On single motor styles, separate motor and transmission and disengage rubber coupling. On 3-motor styles, disconnect drive cables, remove nut from motor retaining rod and remove motor. To install, reverse removal procedure.
Removal & Installation (Reclining Seat Back)
Remove seat and place upside down. Remove trim on outside of seat for access to the actuator. Unscrew reclining back drive cable from reclining actuator and detach cable from actuator. Remove pin securing reclining actuator coupling-to-hinge arm and remove actuator. To install, reverse removal procedure.