My power driver's seat has a mind of its own...

[lparsons]

I've been having intermittent problems with the power driver's seat on my 95 GT. I replaced the seat track over a year ago now, but the problem I am currently having came much more recently.
The problem is that sometimes while the car is parked (and I'm not in it...) the seat will move itself forward. Not just a little ways forwards, but all the way forward. Then when I return to the car, sometimes I can get the seat to go back, and sometimes not. I checked for track obstructions and couldn't find any. When the seat does not want to go back, it will still go up/down and the lumbar still works. It just refuses to go back.
The most recent time this happened, I decided to try starting the car first (made easier by having my wife with me to turn the key while I stepped the clutch all the way down from outside the car). That seemed to do the trick, the seat was then willing to go backwards as usual.
I have also noticed that on the times when it is willing to move forwards / backwards with the car off, the seat motor sounds like it wants to die. The motor sounds fine otherwise.

Should I replace the seat motor, or the whole power seat track assembly (I know the motors are not sold separately but I do know how to get them off)? Or is there an electrical check I should do? The connectors seemed fine to me when I put the new track in.

 

[1TallMF]

lol that is messed up. I'm thinking that the switch must be shorting out somehow, thats where I would check first. There might be a way to take it out and clean it with electrical contact cleaner. Also check to see if the wiring going to the seat is pinched or damaged somewhere, I think it runs from under the center console area but I'm not sure, but even if the wiring was shorting out, it wouldn't be causing the symptoms you are describing. My vote is on a faulty switch.

 

[lparsons]

The switch is fairly loose to the touch, so that makes sense that it could be the problem. I'll start calling around and see if I can find a yard with a power seat track.

I'm guessing that your handle is supposed to be shorthand for "one tall mother f**ker", in which case, you can probably imagine the difficulties I have (being 6'3" (190 cm) myself) when I get to my car and find the seat all the way forwards!

lol that is messed up. I'm thinking that the switch must be shorting out somehow, thats where I would check first. There might be a way to take it out and clean it with electrical contact cleaner. Also check to see if the wiring going to the seat is pinched or damaged somewhere, I think it runs from under the center console area but I'm not sure, but even if the wiring was shorting out, it wouldn't be causing the symptoms you are describing. My vote is on a faulty switch.

 

[1TallMF]

I know what you mean, I'm a bit over 6'2", and its either all the way back or I can't get in there.

 

[HISSIN50]

I would address it ASAP - it seems to me that since it shorts out (so we think) that once it gets all the way forward the motor stays engaged (the switch doesnt kick off). Said motor aint gonna last too long if that's the case. At least pull the fuse or something. I think it's under the hood and also protects the cigarette lighter sockets.

Good luck.