Power Failure (Broken Power Seat)
May 9, 2021
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.
TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires
1735 N Main St
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
248-541-8300
http://www.tlcautocareroyaloak.com
Need Service?
More articles from TLC Auto Care

(Timing Belt)
November 30, 2025
You may have heard about an important part of your vehicle's engine called a timing belt, and many know that if that belt breaks, it can cause some very serious engine problems. Not all vehicles have them, and the ones that do generally have smaller engines. The timing belt keeps the engine sy... More

More than Pads and Rotors (Brake Caliper Replacement)
November 23, 2025
You might be familiar with brake pads and rotors, two components of your vehicle's brakes that have to be regularly serviced. Here's another important component of your brakes: the calipers. Calipers are used in disc brakes, the type of brakes now found in most recently manufactured vehicles. A... More

Knowledge is Power (Battery Testing)
November 16, 2025
Its likely happened to you once or twice. You head to your vehicle, open the door, turn the key and lo and behold, your battery is dead. Now youre stranded, may have to get a jump or a tow, and youll definitely be late for wherever you were headed. While your vehicle may sometimes give you warni... More
