Power Seat Would Not Go Back

[cschuler]

I have reviewed all the posts that I could find on this forum regarding this issue. I have had intermittent problems for over a year, but today I almost had to call for a tow truck.

The seat did not retract to my setting, as it sometimes refuses to do. I tried a manual adjustment to move the seat back and that did not work. I tried moving the seat forward and that worked. I again tried to move seat back with no result. I again tried to move the seat forward, and that worked. At that point, my knees were touching the dash. I escaped the car (not easy at my age) and thought ... what the heck ... since the car is no longer driveable by me, I will run the seat full forward and that worked and then, lo and behold, the seat then responded when I tried to move it back.

This car obviously has to go in for service. Does anybody know if there is something that I can tell the service manager to get this fixed quickly? Prior posts on this issue are not encouraging (switches changed, motors changed, problems not resolved). Service for these kinds of problems has not been my favorite part of ownership.

Thanks!

 

[ctrcbob]

I had that exact same thing happen to me, only when it is cold outside. Happened to me twice. I learned after the first time, DO NOT MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD!!!!!!! If the seat does not go back when shutting off ignition, just leave it be. In my case, using manual, the seat would tilt, go up or down, and forward (don't move it forward), but would not go back. Once out in Roswell, it was like that for over a week. It was cold outside. Then one day, after driving it for an hour or so, with the heater on, the "switch" must have warmed up, because when I shut the ignition off, surprise surprise, the seat went to its rear rest position.

Problem with getting it fixed is that when you go to a dealer to get it fixed, the seat is now warm and working, and the dealer has nothing to look at.

This is just one of the many electrical problems with the Genesis.

 

[cschuler]

I had that exact same thing happen to me, only when it is cold outside. Happened to me twice. I learned after the first time, DO NOT MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD!!!!!!! If the seat does not go back when shutting off ignition, just leave it be. In my case, using manual, the seat would tilt, go up or down, and forward (don't move it forward), but would not go back. Once out in Roswell, it was like that for over a week. It was cold outside. Then one day, after driving it for an hour or so, with the heater on, the "switch" must have warmed up, because when I shut the ignition off, surprise surprise, the seat went to its rear rest position.

Problem with getting it fixed is that when you go to a dealer to get it fixed, the seat is now warm and working, and the dealer has nothing to look at.

This is just one of the many electrical problems with the Genesis.

I wonder if there is a limit switch. Does anyone know? I wonder how temperature could be a factor (It was 92 here when this happened.)? Electrical problems have been my major issue with this car. Thanks Bob.

 

[Stoofpilot]

If you have the Tech package go in and see if the easy access function somehow got unchecked. If so, deselect it.

 

[Stoofpilot]

Oops, reselect it.

 

[wuj98]

I had the same issue multiple times and it happens to both driver seat and passenger seat. Frustrating. I was told that switch went bad and dealer has to replace with a new power switch. When it's still in warranty, they cover the cost, no question asked. Now I'm out of warranty and they want to charge almost $300 to replace it and it was just replaced 13 months ago.

Need to find out how replace a seat power switch by myself to avoid the ripoff. Any help is welcomed.

 

[Claus1100xx]

I had that exact same thing happen to me, only when it is cold outside. Happened to me twice. I learned after the first time, DO NOT MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD!!!!!!! If the seat does not go back when shutting off ignition, just leave it be. In my case, using manual, the seat would tilt, go up or down, and forward (don't move it forward), but would not go back. Once out in Roswell, it was like that for over a week. It was cold outside. Then one day, after driving it for an hour or so, with the heater on, the "switch" must have warmed up, because when I shut the ignition off, surprise surprise, the seat went to its rear rest position.

Problem with getting it fixed is that when you go to a dealer to get it fixed, the seat is now warm and working, and the dealer has nothing to look at.

This is just one of the many electrical problems with the Genesis.

Had the same exact thing happen in my car. I did the same thing - DO NOT MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD when this happens. Otherwise your knees are in your face. After a 2 day stay at the dealer they fixed the issue. Whenever I tell the dealer this is a common issue he usually looks at me in disbelief.

 

[tfbergin]

Had the same exact thing happen in my car. I did the same thing - DO NOT MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD when this happens. Otherwise your knees are in your face. After a 2 day stay at the dealer they fixed the issue. Whenever I tell the dealer this is a common issue he usually looks at me in disbelief.

I just experienced this problem and I have a theory. My seat would move forward and not backwards. I removed the switch and checked all the continuity and it was fine. I bypassed the switch and ran jumpers directly to the motor and it worked fine in both directions. I removed the limit switch and checked continuity and it was fine. I reassembled everything and the problem was fixed. My theory is that since I always keep my seat in the far back position, the limit switch gets stuck and the internal spring will not return it to the neutral position. Since after moving the seat forward it still thinks it is in the far back position, it will not let the motor run backwards. Maybe just occasionally moving the seat forward and back will keep the limit switch from sticking in a non-neutral position. If it happens again I am going to move the seat up to the front limit and see if it frees the switch.

 

[Sirbustergoodpup]

I would be wondering if this is a similar problem like the tilt/telescope steering wheel function, as seen on another thread in this forum. My seat and telescope work properly when the presence key in inserted. On occasion, the seat height rear will get stuck in uppermost setting. It settles down after a few minutes. I have easy access deselected, as I am the only driver, and do not need it.

 

[megolder]

I have reviewed all the posts that I could find on this forum regarding this issue. I have had intermittent problems for over a year, but today I almost had to call for a tow truck.

The seat did not retract to my setting, as it sometimes refuses to do. I tried a manual adjustment to move the seat back and that did not work. I tried moving the seat forward and that worked. I again tried to move seat back with no result. I again tried to move the seat forward, and that worked. At that point, my knees were touching the dash. I escaped the car (not easy at my age) and thought ... what the heck ... since the car is no longer driveable by me, I will run the seat full forward and that worked and then, lo and behold, the seat then responded when I tried to move it back.

This car obviously has to go in for service. Does anybody know if there is something that I can tell the service manager to get this fixed quickly? Prior posts on this issue are not encouraging (switches changed, motors changed, problems not resolved). Service for these kinds of problems has not been my favorite part of ownership.

Thanks!

I had the same issue. They replaced my driver’s seat motor twice. A couple weeks ago, it happened again. Once they got the seat disassembled, they found the issue was the limit switch. Works perfect now. My CPO Warranty covered it.

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[Derrico24]

I have the same problem WTF do you do, A recall should have been call on this issue am 6,4 I am dam near on the hood HELP

 

[RH3]

If the issue is the limit switch, it is possible to get it working again temporarily at least. Operate the main control to move the seat vertically straight up as far as possible to get as much clearance underneath as possible. Go in through the rear door. Move the fabric flap at the bottom of the rear of the seat out of the way. Reach under the seat - palm up - about halfway up and toward the right. You can feel the switch pointing toward the console. Flick it a few times forward and back to free it up. The switch is a spring-loaded momentary type. You might use a mirror to help you see where it is. The operating tab of the switch is white - nice of them to do that! Good luck.
P.S. The way to never have trouble with it again IMO is run the seat all the way back and then forward about 1/2 inch, and somehow mark this position, and then never move the seat back beyond this mark. Also, I think moving the seat all the way back while you are sitting in it puts extra pressure on the switch mechanism and is hard on it, especially if you are a big guy like me.

 

[fangaz22]

If the issue is the limit switch, it is possible to get it working again temporarily at least. Operate the main control to move the seat vertically straight up as far as possible to get as much clearance underneath as possible. Go in through the rear door. Move the fabric flap at the bottom of the rear of the seat out of the way. Reach under the seat - palm up - about halfway up and toward the right. You can feel the switch pointing toward the console. Flick it a few times forward and back to free it up. The switch is a spring-loaded momentary type. You might use a mirror to help you see where it is. The operating tab of the switch is white - nice of them to do that! Good luck.
P.S. The way to never have trouble with it again IMO is run the seat all the way back and then forward about 1/2 inch, and somehow mark this position, and then never move the seat back beyond this mark. Also, I think moving the seat all the way back while you are sitting in it puts extra pressure on the switch mechanism and is hard on it, especially if you are a big guy like me.

Sir you are the poster of the year- this is exactly what worked for my seat. I suspect that the seat access function is wearing out that limit switch. Thanks a ton for the tip.

 

[Gunkk]

Limit switch issues were common on the 2009-2010s in the seats and tilt steering wheel. Had to have my 5'4" wife drive the car to the dealer once after my seat got stuck all the way forward. Then replaced under warranty (2x since the 1st replacement part was also bad).

And yes the best way to avoid it moving (and then getting stuck) unexpectedly is to disable the easy access mode in the settings.

 

[charlie29485]

If the issue is the limit switch, it is possible to get it working again temporarily at least. Operate the main control to move the seat vertically straight up as far as possible to get as much clearance underneath as possible. Go in through the rear door. Move the fabric flap at the bottom of the rear of the seat out of the way. Reach under the seat - palm up - about halfway up and toward the right. You can feel the switch pointing toward the console. Flick it a few times forward and back to free it up. The switch is a spring-loaded momentary type. You might use a mirror to help you see where it is. The operating tab of the switch is white - nice of them to do that! Good luck.
P.S. The way to never have trouble with it again IMO is run the seat all the way back and then forward about 1/2 inch, and somehow mark this position, and then never move the seat back beyond this mark. Also, I think moving the seat all the way back while you are sitting in it puts extra pressure on the switch mechanism and is hard on it, especially if you are a big guy like me.

Thank you so much for posting these instructions. You have no idea I how much I appreciate this. I was unaware that there was any switch under the seat and had placed a few things under the flap. I guess it moved the switch forward enough that I could not move my seat back. I'm 5'10" and the my knees were getting closer and closer to the steering wheel. Thought I would have to take it to the dealer and they would have charged me a small fortune to do the exact same thing. Thank you again.

 

[RonJ]

Had this problem with my2013 while it was under warranty. On the third event, they replaced the limit switch, problem solved.

 

[g_865066]

Sir you are the poster of the year- this is exactly what worked for my seat. I suspect that the seat access function is wearing out that limit switch. Thanks a ton for the tip.

That worked for me!!

 

[g_746321]

Driver's side power seat on our 2013 Genesis has worked on and off in the last couple of years. Fortunately, it has always stopped working with the seat far enough back. One day it will work, one day it won't. I usually notice it's not working when I turn the car on and the seat doesn't automatically adjust. It hasn't been working for at least 4 months (this time). ~ TODAY: I took it to the carwash (forgot it wasn't working) and attendant moved seat all the way forward to clean underneath and it stuck. Drove home with knees against dash praying the airbag wouldn't kill me if I got hit. Just read through all the suggestions on how to un-stick it (all other automatic items on the fuse work!) Husband just went out to garage, in the dark, and 'rattled around' under the seat. MAGIC. Works again! Said he didn't feel a switch but whatever he did worked. Wonder if this is how the dealers fix it??!! $$$$

 

[g_74724]

Sir you are the poster of the year- this is exactly what worked for my seat. I suspect that the seat access function is wearing out that limit switch. Thanks a ton for the tip.

Thanks - worked for me! Had paid to repair that switch twice in past 9 years.

 

[G-574972]

RH3,
Thanks for the detail on the limiter switch - exactly what was wrong with my 2011 Hyundai Genesis drivers seat...mirror, flashlight and a quick toggle on the limiter switch and BOOM! We have actuation - thanks again!