Front seat removal and power seat problem

[GaryB75]

I have a 2000 4 door Gran Am with a driver side power seat. The seat stopped going up and down but the motor runs. Anyone know how to get the seat out. It has 2 bolts in the rear with a star shaped opening, maybe for an allen wrench. What wrench goes in this and what size if you know, as I will have to buy one. I cannot see any bolts on the front of the seat.

If I get the seat out anyone know what may be wrong with the seat. Like I said the motor runs but the seat does not move.

[tenspeed]

I have heard that the rear bolts are torqs. Spray the underside with WD40. They don't come out easily. Maybe you could take it to a garage and have them break them free with their air guns.

[99GrandAMSE]

... the bolts you are referring to are call TORX (like a star) but I am not sure of the size nor am I sure there are actually TORX bolts used there :lol: ... if they are indeed TORX, you should be able to get the right size at any place that sells tools :) ... with reference to the front bolts, if you push the seat all the way back, there should be more bolts/nuts under a black plastic cover if I remember correctly (the cover should just 'snap' off) ... once all the bolts are out/off, you can simply lift the seat up, disconnect the wires and them remove the seat (remember, it might be easier to flip the seat forward when trying to bring it through the door) ... good luck!!

[tenspeed]

I knew it was a strange letter after tor..... I have a 25 around somewhere that I used to remove my '85 Ciera calipers.

[99GrandAMSE]

OK, here are a couple documents for you :)

[99GrandAMSE]

#2

[99GrandAMSE]

Last one :)

[99GrandAMSE]

Hope that helps :)

[GaryB75]

Thanks guys. the pictures are great. Now I just have to figure out why the seat is not going up and down. Is there pictures of the motor to drive area I guess it would be?

[99GrandAMSE]

I can see if I have a schematic for you :)

Is it the 6-way or the standard?

[99GrandAMSE]

OK, I just noticed you have an SE but for some reason I thought you had a GT ... anyway, this procedure might be better because you don't have the specific head rest shown in the other one (well, you don't unless you have the SE2 like me but just in case, I'll give them to you anyway :D)

[99GrandAMSE]

... and for a couple more possibly useful documents :)

[99GrandAMSE]

#2

[99GrandAMSE]

#3

[99GrandAMSE]

#4

[99GrandAMSE]

... and #5 (enough is enough :lol: :D)

[freekLED]

If you have the 2 way power seat then and the motor is working most likely the plastic gear on the motor driveshaft has cracked and may it also be missing a couple of teeth, I have the same problem. This gear is linked to the long worm gear that does the actual adjusting.

Now as for fixing it or getting a direct replacement (new), all I can say is good luck and start canvasing junkyards for a new seat. I have been trying to get one for 18 months now and so far no luck, GM places I have dealt (recently even a VP from Europe) with can't even find a part #. If you do find one let me know.

My advice: It will be much easier to replace the seat completely than to take the motor/worm gear assembly off since you have to cut/damage/mangle the pin that holds the motor & the one that holds the worm gear assy and then install new ones. Just take the entire seat with motor; regardless of color; and swap your OEM seat cover onto the replacement seat.

If you have the 6 way seat then ignore all of the above and you should have no problems with replacement parts.

[kyboman]

I have the same problem. I have tried the online pontiac OEM parts websites and only found the 6-way motors and gears. I tried the local junkyards, but these seats are tough to find. Most GA's have 6-way or manual. I was going to buy the seat and swap tracks but no such luck.
I was able to tilt the motor while it was running to get the seat to a good position and have left it there for the last year.
Since the motor runs, has anyone found a place to just buy the plastic gear that fails?
If someone found the gear or the complete motor / gear, please post the part number and where you bought it along with the price.

[GaryB75]

I have a power up and down seat. The seat is manual for how far you are away from the steering wheel.

[freekLED]

GaryB75 - thats what I thought from your description, so you are in the same boat as myself & Stan ^.

Stan - so far no luck finding just the gear either, I got a couple offers to have them custom made (of metal) but unless you do bulk (25+) it's just too expensive.

Replace the entire seat, tracks & all (6 way?), may be the best option or go with an aftermarket seat.

I have as of right now decided to go with seats from a different vehicle (VW, Ford, etc.) or new aftermarkets since it seems GM has done it again and left owners without replacement parts for a 6 YEAR OLD CAR!

Will

[GaryB75]

Will Kelly, and Stan and anyone I missed. Thanks for your help. I am going to take the seat out and see what I find. the front protector covers for the front bolts. How does that pop off? Do you spread the sides or pull it forward? I do not want to break it. As far as the gear goes I will check with the dealer. I thought that they were required to carry parts for at least 10 years for a car. Maybe I was wrong. If I cannot get one from the dealer I may try to have one made. If I do I will let you know and if you want one I can have one made for you also. I will keep you posted. It may take me a couple of weeks as I am working on my other daughters chevy also. thanks again for all your help.

[GaryB75]

OK guys I found the ANSWER. You have to buy the whole seat mechanism including the tracks from the dealer. I went to the dealer today armed with a wealth of knowledge "thanks to you guys". I had to give them the VIN number on my car. Then they looked it up and found that the seat is actually a 4 way seat by part description. The part number is H22617607. It is $ 281 from the dealer. They have no part number for the motor or gear separately, just the whole unit. I checked on availability and there are 210 available nationally with most of them in california but they said that you could not return them if you buy one.

Oh I got the Torx wrench today so I think I will try to get the seat out and check it out. Will how much was it to have one custom made and what were they going to make it out of?

[freekLED]

Gary, the quotes I received from 3 companies were between $90-150 (too much for me) and there is about a 6 week prep/manufacture time, also depentent on their workload & the smaller orders have less proirity since they are not selling bulk or large volumes. I'm in Germany and have been working with local firms so you might have better luck in the US.

I also have located similar motor/gear assemblies specifically manufactured for car seats from Valeo & Bosch. All of my efforts to purchase a unit have so far been without result since the retailers/wholesalers cannot "find" the product even when provided the manufacturers part # direct from the website. I received a response from Valeo and they provided me with reseller info but the resellers seem to be the problem & I suspect the resellers think that it is too much work to put some effort onto locating the parts. Very, very frustrating.

If I get anything new with Valeo or Bosch I'll post or PM you.

EDIT: Nice find on the part #, now at least we know GM only sells as a assy (as usual). That is just too much $$

[tenspeed]

Gary, I think that junk yards are your friend. Know what you are looking for and arm your self with a mirror and flash light. Find GM cars that would have power seats and start looking.

Ponitac should share the same gears with many of the GM models. The engineers didn't make a special motor and gear for every car. Most people are the same size and the hardware to move the seat around should be standard stuff off the shelf.

[Dj_mod_SE2000]

Hello My Friends,

My First post/reply here.

I can tell i'm going to be Spending alot of time here! A Wealth of Reliable Information!!

I too have the same Seat Motor Problem. Even the "Toggle" type of Level that resides on the back "Bottom Left"of my seat "Releases Back seat forward" Doesnt even work!!!

After Reading the thread, I'll be going "After Market" Seats.. Or Any Other Part I NEED!! LoL ;-)

Dj