1995 Buick Park Avenue - power seat recline not working

[chibuick]

Hi all - the power seat recline doesn't work on my passenger side. It has the little chrome switch on the seat to tilt the back rest. When I engage it, I can feel something slightly move on the underside of the seat but won't recline the seat in either direction. all other power seat functions work fine using the controls on the door panel. Any thoughts on how to fix or pointing me to another post? Thanks.

 

[89KA30]

Hi,

i have the same problem... Exactly as you describe it.
Electrically its fine, the motor seems to work also but the mechanism in the backrest of the seat is probably jammed.
Since i dont want to disassemble the seat, i never touched it.

Still good enough for the girls i go out wit 🙂

 

[Pirate Pete]

Hi all - the power seat recline doesn't work on my passenger side. It has the little chrome switch on the seat to tilt the back rest. When I engage it, I can feel something slightly move on the underside of the seat but won't recline the seat in either direction. all other power seat functions work fine using the controls on the door panel. Any thoughts on how to fix or pointing me to another post? Thanks.

Sounds like the plastic gear got brittle and the teeth broke off. It's common with Park Avenues. I just had the gears replaced with brass gears to get the seat up/down/ tilt feature working again . They sell the parts on eBay. Not sure if the gears are the same for the recline feature or you model PA. Mine is a 2001. Good luck

 

[chibuick]

Sounds like the plastic gear got brittle and the teeth broke off. It's common with Park Avenues. I just had the gears replaced with brass gears to get the seat up/down/ tilt feature working again . They sell the parts on eBay. Not sure if the gears are the same for the recline feature or you model PA. Mine is a 2001. Good luck

I believe it’s different for the 1991-1996 models unfortunately. I have a friend that did a similar fix on his ‘02 Park Avenue. He looked at mine and said it’s entirely different. I’m asking around shops to see who can take a look. Wonder if anyone else has seen this before, or will I need to source another seat?

 

[Pirate Pete]

I believe it’s different for the 1991-1996 models unfortunately. I have a friend that did a similar fix on his ‘02 Park Avenue. He looked at mine and said it’s entirely different. I’m asking around shops to see who can take a look. Wonder if anyone else has seen this before, or will I need to source another seat?

You will have better luck at an auto reupholsterer shop as they remove/rebuild car seats often . Regular mechanics usually won't bother with something like that. I brought mine to an auto reupholsterer and he charged me $150 for both seats. I provided the hardware . Hope this will help you moving forward 🙏

 

[chibuick]

You will have better luck at an auto reupholsterer shop as they remove/rebuild car seats often . Regular mechanics usually won't bother with something like that. I brought mine to an auto reupholsterer and he charged me $150 for both seats. I provided the hardware . Hope this will help you moving forward 🙏

Pete thanks for this advice. I called up two shops today that do upholstery and sending them pics. Two mechanics told me I was SOL and would need a new seat. Here’s a video of me trying to engage the motor.

 

[Pirate Pete]

Pete thanks for this advice. I called up two shops today that do upholstery and sending them pics. Two mechanics told me I was SOL and would need a new seat. Here’s a video of me trying to engage the motor.

Seems like the motor is broken or maybe the track is blocked by a wire or something. Are you able to inspect underneath to make sure wires aren't blocking the track ? Don't give up because one mechanic told you you're out of luck. It just means that he isn't capable of fixing it for you . Here's a copy and paste from Google AI . Meanwhile contact more shops .

"""
1995 Buick Park Avenue power seat recline not working could be due to a faulty switch, motor, or wiring issue. To diagnose, first check for power and ground at the switch and motor, then inspect the motor and wiring for damage. If the switch and motor are good, a binding seat track or module issue might be the culprit.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Check for Power and Ground:

• At the switch:
  Use a test light or multimeter to verify power and ground are reaching the switch when the recline function is activated.
• At the motor:
  If power is present at the switch but not at the motor, there's likely a wiring issue or a problem with the switch itself.

2. Inspect the Motor:

• Continuity test:
  With the power disconnected, use a multimeter to check the motor's internal resistance. A dead short or open circuit indicates a bad motor.
  
  
• Visual inspection:
  Look for any signs of damage, corrosion, or loose connections on the motor itself.

3. Check the Wiring:

• Wiring harness: Inspect the wiring harness for any signs of damage, corrosion, or loose connections, especially near the seat and at the motor.
• Connections: Ensure all connections are clean and tight.

4. Consider Other Potential Issues:

• Binding seat track:
  A jammed or obstructed seat track can prevent the seat from reclining. Check for any obstructions under the seat.
  
  
• Memory module:
  Some models have a seat memory module that can cause issues. If the seat is stuck in one position, the module might be faulty.
  """

 

[DrivenDaily]

Those driven cables are being turned by the motor, so the motor most likely works just fine.

Test it by removing the 2 drive cables and then actuating the motor. It will probably spin to its heart's content.

Those drive cables go to the 2 sides to move the reclining mechanism. That mechanism is what needs to be inspected. You may find something has fallen into the gears or that the gears are worn, broken, or bent.

So, from what that short video showed, the motor and the electrical controlling it is fine.

 

[chibuick]

Thanks guys. What I think I’ll try doing is removing the front seat to inspect the underside, and I’ll try removing the 2 cables to the motor first to see if the motor spins freely. I haven’t done this type of project before - should be interesting.

 

[chibuick]

Update: I ended up taking the car to an interior auto repair shop. They took the seats out and found the gears were seized here (see pic). Said it was lubricant or some type of material that hardened over time with not being used, so it seized.

Haven’t gotten the car back yet but they said it works. Still ironing out a couple of other things. Thanks for the help here.

 

[Pirate Pete]

Update: I ended up taking the car to an interior auto repair shop. They took the seats out and found the gears were seized here (see pic). Said it was lubricant or some type of material that hardened over time with not being used, so it seized.

Haven’t gotten the car back yet but they said it works. Still ironing out a couple of other things. Thanks for the help here.

Glad you found someone to help you out and get your seats working again ! I myself went 2 years with my seat sitting too low and since getting it fixed it feels good to sit in the exact position that suits me 👌