Home ReviewsRefund
Home/GMC/Savana/GMC Savana I (1996-2002)/Repair manual/Seats/Power Seat System
Contents Section: Seats All sections

Power Seat System GMC Savana I

Seats 2 illustrations ~2064 words

DESCRIPTION & OPERATION

A 6-way power seat is used on driver's seat (all models) and passenger seat (some models). System consists of 3 reversible motors attached to a seat drive rail. Each motor contains a self-resetting circuit breaker. Power seat switch is located on front of seat. Drive cables connect motor to gearnuts, which turn jack screws and adjusters at each side of seat.

COMPONENT LOCATIONS

ComponentLocation
Convenience CenterUnder Left Side Of Instrument Panel
Forward/Rearward Seat MotorUnder Respective Seat (Rear Motor)
Front Tilt MotorUnder Respective Seat (Front Motor)
Instrument Panel Fuse BlockLower Left Side Of Instrument Panel, Next to Left Kick Panel
Rear Tilt MotorUnder Respective Seat (Middle Motor)

COMPONENT LOCATIONS

PRELIMINARY CHECKS

  1. Check PWR ACCY circuit breaker (20 or 30-amp) or POWER ACC fuse (25-amp), located in instrument panel fuse block.
  2. Ensure terminal contact and ground connections are clean and tight. Check for proper installation of aftermarket electronic equipment.
  3. Check for any obstruction under seat or carriages which may affect power seat operation.
  4. If seat motor internal circuit breaker is tripped, remove voltage from motor to reset.
  5. Check for broken or partially broken wire inside of insulation, which could cause system malfunction but prove good in a continuity/voltage check with system disconnected. These circuits may be intermittent or resistive when loaded.
  6. If motors operate but seat does not move, check for obstruction in seat drive rail or check for broken drive gear. If seat tilts forward and/or rearward but does not move up or down, replace power seat switch.
  1. Move seat adjuster switch in any direction. Seat should move in direction selected. If seat does not move in any direction, see «POWER SEAT INOPERATIVE»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system__power-seat-inoperative) under SYMPTOM TESTS.
  2. Move seat adjuster switch to forward and rearward positions. Seat should move in direction selected. If seat does not move in these directions, go to «POWER SEAT DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REARWARD»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system__power-seat-does-not-move-forward) under SYMPTOM TESTS.
  3. Move seat adjuster switch to move front of seat up and down. Seat should move in direction selected. If seat does not move in these directions, go to «POWER SEAT DOES NOT MOVE VERTICALLY»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system__power-seat-does-not-move-vertically) under SYMPTOM TESTS.
  4. Move seat adjuster switch to move rear of seat up and down. Seat should move in direction selected. If seat does not move in these directions, go to «POWER SEAT DOES NOT MOVE VERTICALLY»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system__power-seat-does-not-move-vertically) under SYMPTOM TESTS.

SYMPTOM TESTS

Note. The following procedures apply to driver's and passenger's seats.

POWER SEAT INOPERATIVE

  1. Perform «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING. Go to next step.
  2. At inoperative seat, disconnect power seat switch 2-pin connector C-1. Connect test light between power seat switch connector C-1, terminal "A" (Orange wire) and ground. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) . If test light comes on, go to step 4 . If test light does not come on, go to next step.
  3. Repair open in Orange wire between power seat switch and instrument panel fuse block. If suspect power seat is still inoperative, go to next step. If suspect power seat is okay, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  4. Using DVOM, check for continuity between power seat switch harness connector C-1, terminal "B" (Black wire) and ground. If continuity is indicated, go to next step. If continuity is not indicated, go to step 6 .
  5. Replace suspect power seat switch. See «POWER SEAT ADJUSTER SWITCH»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  6. Repair open in Black wire between power seat switch and ground. After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.

POWER SEAT DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REARWARD

  1. Perform «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING. Go to next step.
  2. At inoperative seat, disconnect power seat switch connector C-2. Using DVOM, check for continuity between power seat switch connector C-2, terminal "D" (Tan wire) and ground. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) . If continuity is indicated, go to next step. If continuity is not indicated, go to step 4 .
  3. Connect test light between power seat switch connector C-2, terminal "D" (Tan wire) and ground. Press power seat forward/reverse switch lever to forward position. If test light comes on, go to step 6 . If test light does not come on, go to step 13 .
  4. Check for open in Tan pigtail wire between power seat switch and connector C-2. If circuit is faulty, go to next step. If circuit is okay, go to step 13 .
  5. Repair open in Tan pigtail wire between power seat switch and connector C-2. If suspect power seat still does not move forward/backward, go to next step. If suspect seat is okay, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  6. Using DVOM, check for continuity between power seat switch connector C-2, terminal "C" (Light Green) and ground. If continuity is indicated, go to next step. If continuity is not indicated, go to step 8 .
  7. Connect test light between power seat switch connector C-2, terminal "C" (Light Green) and ground. Press power seat forward/reverse switch lever to reverse position. If test light comes on, go to step 10 . If test light does not come on, go to step 13 .
  8. Check for open in Light Green pigtail wire between power seat switch and power seat forward/rearward motor. If circuit is faulty, go to next step. If circuit is okay, go to step 13 .
  9. Repair open in Light Green pigtail wire between power seat switch and power seat forward/rearward motor. If seat is still inoperative, go to step 7 . After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  10. Check for open in pigtail wires between connector C-2 and power seat forward/rearward motor. If faulty circuit is found, go to step 12 . If circuits are okay, go to step 13 .
  11. Repair open in pigtail wires between connector C-2 and power seat forward/rearward motor. After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  12. Replace power seat forward/rearward motor. See «ADJUSTER MOTORS & DRIVE CABLES»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  13. Replace suspect power seat switch. See «POWER SEAT ADJUSTER SWITCH»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. If seat is still inoperative, go to step 7 . After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.

POWER SEAT DOES NOT MOVE VERTICALLY

  1. Perform «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING. Go to next step.
  2. If front of seat does not tilt up or down, go to next step. If rear of seat does not move up and down, go to step 14 .
  3. At inoperative seat, disconnect power seat motors connector C-2. Using DVOM, check for continuity between ground and connector C-2 terminal "E" (Dark Green wire). See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) . If continuity is indicated, go to step 6 . If continuity is not indicated, go to next step.
  4. Check for open in Dark Green pigtail wire between suspect seat adjuster switch and suspect seat front tilt motor. If circuit is faulty, go to next step. If circuit is okay, go to step 25 .
  5. Repair open in Dark Green pigtail wire between suspect seat adjuster switch and suspect seat front tilt motor. If seat still does not tilt up or down in front, go to next step. After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  6. Connect test light between power seat motor connector C-2, terminal "E" (Dark Green wire) and ground. Press power seat front tilt switch to up position. If test light comes on, go to next step. If test light does not come on, go to step 25 .
  7. Using DVOM, check continuity between power seat switch connector C-2, terminal "F" (Dark Blue wire) and ground. If continuity is indicated, go to step 10 . If continuity is not indicated, go to next step.
  8. Check for open in Dark Blue pigtail wire between power seat switch and connector C-2. If circuit is faulty, go to next step. If circuit is okay, go to step 25 .
  9. Repair open in Dark Blue pigtail wire between power seat switch and connector C-2. If seat will still not tilt up or down in front, go to next step. After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  10. Connect test light between power seat motor connector C-2, terminal "F" (Dark Blue wire) and ground. Press power seat front tilt switch to down position. If test light comes on, go to next step. If test light does not come on, go to step 25 .
  11. Check for open in pigtail wires between connector C-2 and power seat front tilt motor. If faulty circuit is found, go to next step. If circuits are okay, go to step 13 .
  12. Repair open in pigtail wires between connector C-2 and power seat front tilt motor. If seat will still not tilt up or down in front, go to next step. After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  13. Replace suspect power seat front tilt motor. See «ADJUSTER MOTORS & DRIVE CABLES»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  14. Disconnect suspect power seat motors connector C-2. Using DVOM, check continuity between power seat switch connector C-2, terminal "A" (Yellow wire) and ground. If continuity is indicated, go to step 17 . If continuity is not indicated, go to next step.
  15. Check for open in Yellow pigtail wire between power seat switch and connector C-2. If faulty circuit is found, go to next step. If circuit is okay, go to step 25 .
  16. Repair open in Yellow pigtail wire between power seat switch and connector C-2. If seat will still not tilt up or down in the rear, go to next step. After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  17. Connect test light between ground and power seat connector C-2 terminal "A" (Yellow wire). Press power seat rear tilt switch to up position. If test light comes on, go to next step. If test light does not come on, go to step 25 .
  18. Use DVOM to check continuity between power seat switch connector C-2, terminal "B" (Light Blue wire) and ground. If continuity is indicated, go to step 21 . If continuity is not indicated, go to next step.
  19. Check for open in Light Blue pigtail wire between power seat switch and connector C-2. If faulty circuit is found, go to next step. If circuit is okay, go to step 25 .
  20. Repair open in Light Blue pigtail wire between power seat switch and connector C-2. If seat will still not tilt up or down in the rear, go to next step. After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  21. Connect test light between ground and power seat connector C-2 terminal "B" (Light Blue wire). Press power seat rear tilt switch to down position. If test light comes on, go to next step. If test light does not come on, go to step 25 .
  22. Check for open in pigtail wires between connector C-2 and power seat rear tilt motor. If faulty circuit is found, go to next step. If circuits are okay, go to step 24 .
  23. Repair open in pigtail wires between connector C-2 and power seat rear tilt motor. If seat will still not tilt up or down in the rear, go to next step. After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  24. Replace suspect power seat motor. See «ADJUSTER MOTORS & DRIVE CABLES»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.
  25. Replace suspect power seat switch. See «POWER SEAT ADJUSTER SWITCH»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs, go to «POWER SEAT SYSTEM CHECK»(/gmc/savana/i-1996-2002/remont/seats/#power-seat-system) under TROUBLE SHOOTING.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

WARNINGBefore servicing instrument panel components on vehicles with Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system, disable SIR system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM in appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.
CAUTIONWhen battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. See COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION before disconnecting battery.

Raise seat to full up position. Disconnect electrical connectors from power seat motors. Disconnect seat belt buckle electrical connector. Remove seat assembly retaining nuts. Remove seat from vehicle. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten seat assembly retaining nuts to 63 ft. lbs. (85 N.m).

Remove screws attaching power seat adjuster switch to seat cushion. Disconnect electrical connectors. Remove power seat adjuster switch from seat cushion. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Remove power seat. See POWER SEAT. Remove adjuster-to-seat riser nuts. Remove adjuster. (Scheme 1) To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten seat adjuster-to-power seat nuts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 N.m). Tighten adjuster-to-seat riser nuts to 33 ft. lbs. (45 N.m).

Scheme 1

Scheme 1: Removal & Installation
Scheme 1: Removal & Installation

Power Seats Wiring Diagram (Express & Savana). Scheme 2

Scheme 2: Power Seats Wiring Diagram (Express & Savana)
Scheme 2: Power Seats Wiring Diagram (Express & Savana)