Seat Lever won't work!

**SKY 07** · 03-05-2008, 08:58 PM

I can’t release the lever on the seat so I can move forward my passengers seat. I move the lever on the side of the seat and it just wont release the lock, so I can move the back of the seat forward.

I tried wiggling it but no help.

I’ve been playing with it for a couple of days and I just can’t seem to fix it myself. I guess I’ll put it on my list of things that I need to be fixed. I will be getting my oil change late spring and this will be
a good time to fix it. Anyone have any ideas how to fix this problem?

T.

jayman · 03-05-2008, 09:20 PM

I know what you mean...i've been wiggling and playing with mine also....and nothing happens

kwayne · 03-05-2008, 10:12 PM

Just checked my manual there's really nothing to the adjuster.
Did you make sure NOTHING was under the seat, or maybe a stone or coin was in the track mechanism.

**Skip** · 03-06-2008, 12:18 AM

The whole seat goes forward and back on tracks. The lever to release the whols seat is up front of the seat. The lever on the side of the seat moves the seat back either tilt forward or backward. It can only be accessed by opening the door and twisting the adjustment....Skip...

jel · 03-06-2008, 12:23 AM

I've heard the coin thing, too. It sounds like the culprit. But not assuming, since I'm not there or know your situation personally.

jayman · 03-06-2008, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jel

I've heard the coin thing, too. It sounds like the culprit. But not assuming, since I'm not there or know your situation personally.

It could be her car keys also.....that would explain why she hasn't been able to start her car for the last couple of days

dengel · 03-06-2008, 10:12 AM

No, it sounds to me like she can't release the seat back for it to pivot forward for behind the seat storage. There is a lever on the side of the seat that goes up - down to release the seat to swing forward. (This is separate from the knob that you turn to adjust the seat back recline position for a seated person)

T, I have had trouble releasing the passenger seat back occasionally too. Usually for me it is because the seat back is pushed all the way back and it is "jammed" against the rear wall. The lever actually needs a little slack to be released. If the seat back is so far back that it is actually touching the rear wall of the passenger compartment, this could be your problem too.

Try sliding the bottom of the seat forward on its tracks using the handle under the seat in the passenger footwell. Once the seat back is no longer pressed tight against the rear wall, the side lever should no longer be hard to operate.

Spag · 03-06-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dengel

No, it sounds to me like she can't release the seat back for it to pivot forward for behind the seat storage. There is a lever on the side of the seat that goes up - down to release the seat to swing forward. (This is separate from the knob that you turn to adjust the seat back recline position for a seated person)

T, I have had trouble releasing the passenger seat back occasionally too. Usually for me it is because the seat back is pushed all the way back and it is "jammed" against the rear wall. The lever actually needs a little slack to be released. If the seat back is so far back that it is actually touching the rear wall of the passenger compartment, this could be your problem too.

Try sliding the bottom of the seat forward on its tracks using the handle under the seat in the passenger footwell. Once the seat back is no longer pressed tight against the rear wall, the side lever should no longer be hard to operate.

Easily could be the cause, I've seen the same here!

Bogie · 03-06-2008, 11:00 AM

Good rule of thumb for vehicles (and even things not in vehicles): Whenever you have a lever or turn function that seems to be stuck, if there is any play in the device you're trying to turn or move, then move the device across it's locked play range and attempt to move the lever. Other examples include:

1. Steering wheel lock (when key won't turn), rotating the wheel across the locked play will usually allow key to turn.

2. This also applies to stuck combo locks.

3. Door locks.

4. Hood release.

5. Transmission Lock (In an automatic 'tis better to engage the parking brake before you engage park; if you don't, the transmission can LOCK). If this happens on a hill, you might need another car to push you

There are many more I can't think of at the moment. Latches often stick when resting under pressure in a locked state. Moving the device within the play of the lock will often take the pressure off the lock, allowing the release mechanism to work.

Store this away in long term memory. I can pretty much guarantee everyone reading this has (or will have) a locking experience where this advice will pay off.

kwayne · 03-07-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKY 07

I did everything I could think of to get the back of the seat to move forward but I had no luck. I also had several people try to get the lever to release the back of the seat with no luck.

Good advise though. T.

If the weather wasn't so bad I'd volunteer to come up and help out, what maybe 2.5 hrs from my place.

jayman · 03-07-2008, 11:41 PM

Betty Poop sucks

BSRL · 03-09-2008, 01:25 AM

If your talking about the lever that tilts the back of the seat forward then try pushing back on the seat near the headrest and pulling up on the lever at the same time.

gadget · 03-09-2008, 11:40 AM

I have a freind that is pretty tall when he sits in the car he pushes the seat all the way back and causes the seat to do something like what you are talking about. here's what I do

Move the bottom seat slider forward a couple of inches (This relieves the pressure on the back of the seat) and then see if you can get the seat back to release. Works for me!

It also could be that the Recline knob was turned to much after the seat was al the way back. So it might help to turn the knob so that the seat sits more upright.

kwayne · 03-09-2008, 02:13 PM

I was on the phone w/her yesterday; had her move seat all the way forward-no good; She can't lift the lever passed 1/2 way, I think something is either caught in the mechanism, or something got tweaked out of alignment.

jrarant · 03-10-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSRL

If your talking about the lever that tilts the back of the seat forward then try pushing back on the seat near the headrest and pulling up on the lever at the same time.

This happens to me when my husband drive and puts the seat all the way back or when I try to put too much behind my seat for storage. Pushing back on the top of the seat and lifting the leaver work 100% of the time.

**Celt03** · 04-06-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dengel

No, it sounds to me like she can't release the seat back for it to pivot forward for behind the seat storage. There is a lever on the side of the seat that goes up - down to release the seat to swing forward. (This is separate from the knob that you turn to adjust the seat back recline position for a seated person)

T, I have had trouble releasing the passenger seat back occasionally too. Usually for me it is because the seat back is pushed all the way back and it is "jammed" against the rear wall. The lever actually needs a little slack to be released. If the seat back is so far back that it is actually touching the rear wall of the passenger compartment, this could be your problem too.

Try sliding the bottom of the seat forward on its tracks using the handle under the seat in the passenger footwell. Once the seat back is no longer pressed tight against the rear wall, the side lever should no longer be hard to operate.

Yup - I have had that same exact problem a couple of times - thanks to my darling daughter.

03-05-2008, 08:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
SKY 07 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lisbon, CT Posts: 1,527 My Photos: (2)	Seat Lever won't work! I can’t release the lever on the seat so I can move forward my passengers seat. I move the lever on the side of the seat and it just wont release the lock, so I can move the back of the seat forward. I tried wiggling it but no help. I’ve been playing with it for a couple of days and I just can’t seem to fix it myself. I guess I’ll put it on my list of things that I need to be fixed. I will be getting my oil change late spring and this will be a good time to fix it. Anyone have any ideas how to fix this problem? T. __________________ 07 White/Delivered 6/28/06 Leather Seats Chrome Rims Monsoon 6 Disc Rear Spoiler Dual Exhaust/CAI Custom WindRestictor/Custom Pinstriping and who knows what else.... Life Is Good

03-05-2008, 09:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
jayman First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,830 My Photos: (0)	I know what you mean...i've been wiggling and playing with mine also....and nothing happens __________________ Silver Graphite '07 : red interior, tint, chrome rims, li'l chromies, chrome wipers, chrome domes, chrome vanity,chrome valve stems, chrome antenna, chrome sack... "I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul" C&H RED SOX NATION

03-06-2008, 12:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
Skip First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: deep in the land of cotton where good times there are not forgotten Posts: 4,736 My Photos: (0)	The whole seat goes forward and back on tracks. The lever to release the whols seat is up front of the seat. The lever on the side of the seat moves the seat back either tilt forward or backward. It can only be accessed by opening the door and twisting the adjustment....Skip... __________________ Resident Redneck of the forum and Birthday Greeter Keep on the sunny side of life It tant Christmas without Christ.

03-06-2008, 12:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
jel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 393 My Photos: (8)	I've heard the coin thing, too. It sounds like the culprit. But not assuming, since I'm not there or know your situation personally. __________________ JPM leather dash Dual XDVD8285 Interior carbon fiber kit Wind Restrictor V2 Fujita dual filter CAI Kappasphere KS2/Li'l Chromies Blackcat gauges Billet grille O-series stubby/FlameBall shifter V doors Sequential brake/3rd pulsating lights

03-06-2008, 11:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 2,481 My Photos: (0)	Good rule of thumb for vehicles (and even things not in vehicles): Whenever you have a lever or turn function that seems to be stuck, if there is any play in the device you're trying to turn or move, then move the device across it's locked play range and attempt to move the lever. Other examples include: 1. Steering wheel lock (when key won't turn), rotating the wheel across the locked play will usually allow key to turn. 2. This also applies to stuck combo locks. 3. Door locks. 4. Hood release. 5. Transmission Lock (In an automatic 'tis better to engage the parking brake before you engage park; if you don't, the transmission can LOCK). If this happens on a hill, you might need another car to push you There are many more I can't think of at the moment. Latches often stick when resting under pressure in a locked state. Moving the device within the play of the lock will often take the pressure off the lock, allowing the release mechanism to work. Store this away in long term memory. I can pretty much guarantee everyone reading this has (or will have) a locking experience where this advice will pay off. __________________ 2008 Redline Black Onyx Black/Red Leather Monsoon 6 Disc Spoiler French Transmission Born July 2007 Snagged 8/31/07 Belle? That's my car Alizée? That's my avatar Me? Forty something male skydriver Last edited by Bogie : 03-06-2008 at 11:02 AM. Reason: Stupid grammer mistakes and a Freudian slip (that jayman would've had a field day with)

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03-06-2008, 10:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
dengel Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: solsticeforum.com Posts: 1,029 My Photos: (0)	No, it sounds to me like she can't release the seat back for it to pivot forward for behind the seat storage. There is a lever on the side of the seat that goes up - down to release the seat to swing forward. (This is separate from the knob that you turn to adjust the seat back recline position for a seated person) T, I have had trouble releasing the passenger seat back occasionally too. Usually for me it is because the seat back is pushed all the way back and it is "jammed" against the rear wall. The lever actually needs a little slack to be released. If the seat back is so far back that it is actually touching the rear wall of the passenger compartment, this could be your problem too. Try sliding the bottom of the seat forward on its tracks using the handle under the seat in the passenger footwell. Once the seat back is no longer pressed tight against the rear wall, the side lever should no longer be hard to operate.

03-07-2008, 11:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
jayman First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,830 My Photos: (0)	Betty Poop sucks __________________ Silver Graphite '07 : red interior, tint, chrome rims, li'l chromies, chrome wipers, chrome domes, chrome vanity,chrome valve stems, chrome antenna, chrome sack... "I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul" C&H RED SOX NATION

03-09-2008, 01:25 AM	#12 (permalink)
BSRL Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 754 My Photos: (2)	If your talking about the lever that tilts the back of the seat forward then try pushing back on the seat near the headrest and pulling up on the lever at the same time. __________________ My Car Domain Page: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3051777

03-09-2008, 11:40 AM	#13 (permalink)
gadget Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Westminster,Colorado Posts: 579 My Photos: (0)	I have a freind that is pretty tall when he sits in the car he pushes the seat all the way back and causes the seat to do something like what you are talking about. here's what I do Move the bottom seat slider forward a couple of inches (This relieves the pressure on the back of the seat) and then see if you can get the seat back to release. Works for me! It also could be that the Recline knob was turned to much after the seat was al the way back. So it might help to turn the knob so that the seat sits more upright. __________________ '07 2.4 Liter Polar White With Tan Trim L.S. Differential B&G Springs and Dampers,Eibach Stabilizers Dual Filter Fugita CAI SMS BBTB, Vector tune Monsoon Stereo,Six disk changer PDA and 350GB hardrive space for audio

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