Driver's seat not reclining..any suggestions? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

hazy · 08-15-2016, 10:29 AM

well...in my '11 SS, the power seat recline has quit working. I can move it forward/backward to get closer/farther from the steering wheel, go up/down, and lean the seatback forward, however the seatback will NOT recline AT ALL. Can't even hear the motor trying to work when I push the button.

I've tried the fix that was suggested in THIS thread, to no avail. Either I'm missing something when I'm looking around for the "micro switch cam lever" or the design is such that I don't have one. Either way, this shit is gonna get old real quick. Luckily it's not in a terribly uncomfortable position to drive in, however one more bump forward and it's gonna be. Dealer can't fit me in for a bit, and knowing them, I'd be out a few hundred bucks before it's resolved. I'll go that route if I have to, but would like to avoid it if possible.

So...to that end...anyone have a suggestion? I also tried pulling off the plastic where the switches are in order to make sure the connections were all good, but couldn't even get the damn thing off

Dizzy82 · 08-15-2016, 10:38 AM

Did you check the fuse?

BadSport340 · 08-15-2016, 10:45 AM

It's probably one of three things.

1.) Fuse
2.) Switch
3.) Motor

If it quit with no warning, the motor is probably fine. Might want to poke around with a volt meter and see what you find.

hazy · 08-15-2016, 11:05 AM

Any idea what fuse it may be? I'm thinking it would probably be either the switch or the motor, at this point, because every other function works perfectly. No idea how to go poking around with a volt meter, so I'm thinking I'll just have to run by the dealer one day when they can fit me in...

ugh.

At least I figured out how easy it is to replace my broken lumbar support! A few hooks and a $30 part will get that back in good order

ron123 · 08-15-2016, 01:30 PM

Did you try this official PI from Chevy yet?

#PIC5579A: Power Seatback Recliner Inoperative - Seatback Stuck Leaning Forward - (Nov 8, 2012)
Subject: Power Seatback Recliner Inoperative - Seatback Stuck Leaning Forward
Models: 2011 - 2013 Chevrolet Camaro

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition/Concern Some customers may comment that the power recliner is inoperative and that the seatback is stuck in a raised or tilted forward position. This may be caused by the Recliner Inhibit micro switch being stuck open due to improper use of the seat. It has been determined that if the seat is power reclined forward until it stops, then the latch on the rear of the seatback is used to fold the seatback forward further, then the micro switch lever can become jammed. The Owner's Manual explains not to use the power recline control on the outboard side of the seat to raise the seatback. If the seat was operated in the manner described above, it could bind the Recliner Inhibit micro switch lever, binding the lever against the switch which inhibits power Recliner operation.
Recommendation/Instructions In order to correct this condition, place the seatback upright to lock it in place, then shake the seatback back and forth until the power recliner operates again. If this is unsuccessful in resolving the concern, unzip the seat cover to gain access to the micro switch cam lever on the seat back frame and reposition the lever to deactivate the micro switch.

Advise the customer of proper operation of the seat, as outlined in the Owner Manual, to prevent the condition from recurring.
Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

=======
From thread: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=345962 quote ...
Basically he said to press the switch like when reclining the seat forward and then hit the seat in the back with your hand. Voila! the seat got unstuck and is working. He told me for whatever reason the motor freezes on occasion and the seat gets stuck.
=======
Hope this works, maybe keep a rubber mallet under the seat, LOL, good luck.
Ron

hazy · 08-15-2016, 02:19 PM

Tried everything- that thread was the first stuff I tried. Finally got fed up and now I'm sitting at the dealer hoping they can fix it. They just came and told me that they think it's the switch, but had to take it to a different part of the shop to diagnose. Hopefully I'll have it back soon!

ArubaToplessSS · 01-30-2020, 10:41 PM

Same problem on my 12 SS convertible. Had it detailed. They pushed the seatback forward by pulling the lever on the back.
Then they used the motor switch to move the passenger seat all the way forward.
This probably tripped the micro switch on the left frame tube, next to the mechanical cable which releases the seatback to fold forward or back.
The reclining motor in the seatback, would only get electricity to recline forward. (And is was at th most forward limit.)

When pushing the button to recline backward. The motor did not even get any electricity.

I ended up removing the side panel of the seat, disconnecting the battery, and cutting and switching the 2 wires entering the motor...... guess what? Polarity reversed... and direction reversed! I jerry rigged the seat in its correct position.
I guess the little stop switch has something to do with it....

Any input please?
Thanks

08-15-2016, 10:29 AM	#1
hazy Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: H-Town Posts: 1,037	Driver's seat not reclining..any suggestions? well...in my '11 SS, the power seat recline has quit working. I can move it forward/backward to get closer/farther from the steering wheel, go up/down, and lean the seatback forward, however the seatback will NOT recline AT ALL. Can't even hear the motor trying to work when I push the button. I've tried the fix that was suggested in THIS thread, to no avail. Either I'm missing something when I'm looking around for the "micro switch cam lever" or the design is such that I don't have one. Either way, this shit is gonna get old real quick. Luckily it's not in a terribly uncomfortable position to drive in, however one more bump forward and it's gonna be. Dealer can't fit me in for a bit, and knowing them, I'd be out a few hundred bucks before it's resolved. I'll go that route if I have to, but would like to avoid it if possible. So...to that end...anyone have a suggestion? I also tried pulling off the plastic where the switches are in order to make sure the connections were all good, but couldn't even get the damn thing off

08-15-2016, 10:38 AM	#2
Dizzy82 Drives: 2011 1LT/RS A6 RJT SuperCharged Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: 87114 Posts: 3,501 View My Garage	Did you check the fuse? __________________ Power is worthless without control. *The 2nd* protects the 1st.** BMR sub frame brace, BMR tunnel brace, LSR sways, LSR CM ca & tl, Sphon ExD el, GM tower brace, Megan EZ Streets, Goodridge Stainless Steel Braided brake lines, PowerStop D/S rotors & pads, Doug Thorty Ceramic Shorties, Magnaflow x-pipe, MRT V2.0, KICKER PowerStage sub & amp, Infinity speakers & tweeters, Viteese Throttle Controller, Viteese Paddle Shifters, ACS T2 Splitter, ACS T2 Ports/Quad LED lights, VDI kit, Havoc diffuser, IPF ECU/TRANS tuned, IPF/KPE Supercharged. 364RWHP/297RWTQ

08-15-2016, 01:30 PM	#5
ron123 Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,053	Did you try this official PI from Chevy yet? #PIC5579A: Power Seatback Recliner Inoperative - Seatback Stuck Leaning Forward - (Nov 8, 2012) Subject: Power Seatback Recliner Inoperative - Seatback Stuck Leaning Forward Models: 2011 - 2013 Chevrolet Camaro The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI. Condition/Concern Some customers may comment that the power recliner is inoperative and that the seatback is stuck in a raised or tilted forward position. This may be caused by the Recliner Inhibit micro switch being stuck open due to improper use of the seat. It has been determined that if the seat is power reclined forward until it stops, then the latch on the rear of the seatback is used to fold the seatback forward further, then the micro switch lever can become jammed. The Owner's Manual explains not to use the power recline control on the outboard side of the seat to raise the seatback. If the seat was operated in the manner described above, it could bind the Recliner Inhibit micro switch lever, binding the lever against the switch which inhibits power Recliner operation. Recommendation/Instructions In order to correct this condition, place the seatback upright to lock it in place, then shake the seatback back and forth until the power recliner operates again. If this is unsuccessful in resolving the concern, unzip the seat cover to gain access to the micro switch cam lever on the seat back frame and reposition the lever to deactivate the micro switch. Advise the customer of proper operation of the seat, as outlined in the Owner Manual, to prevent the condition from recurring. Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed. ======= From thread: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=345962 quote ... Basically he said to press the switch like when reclining the seat forward and then hit the seat in the back with your hand. Voila! the seat got unstuck and is working. He told me for whatever reason the motor freezes on occasion and the seat gets stuck. ======= Hope this works, maybe keep a rubber mallet under the seat, LOL, good luck. Ron __________________ 2014 2SS/RS, Z28 CAI and High Wing Spoiler, ZL1 5.1:1 Ratio Short-Throw Shifter, ZL1 Pedals, ZL1 splash guards, NPP Dual-mode quad tip exhaust, Z28 strut tower brace, Camaro LED Cup-holders with footwell Lighting option, Leather visors, and Leather E-brake boot. Chevy dealer sponsored 67 retro SS nose stripe package.

01-30-2020, 10:41 PM	#7
ArubaToplessSS Drives: 2012 SS convertible Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: ARUBA Posts: 4 View My Garage	Seatback motor only goes 1 way.. Same problem on my 12 SS convertible. Had it detailed. They pushed the seatback forward by pulling the lever on the back. Then they used the motor switch to move the passenger seat all the way forward. This probably tripped the micro switch on the left frame tube, next to the mechanical cable which releases the seatback to fold forward or back. The reclining motor in the seatback, would only get electricity to recline forward. (And is was at th most forward limit.) When pushing the button to recline backward. The motor did not even get any electricity. I ended up removing the side panel of the seat, disconnecting the battery, and cutting and switching the 2 wires entering the motor...... guess what? Polarity reversed... and direction reversed! I jerry rigged the seat in its correct position. I guess the little stop switch has something to do with it.... Any input please? Thanks

08-15-2016, 10:45 AM	#3
BadSport340 Drives: 2014 Camaro LS, 1973 Dart Sport 340 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas Posts: 77	It's probably one of three things. 1.) Fuse 2.) Switch 3.) Motor If it quit with no warning, the motor is probably fine. Might want to poke around with a volt meter and see what you find.

08-15-2016, 11:05 AM	#4
hazy Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: H-Town Posts: 1,037	Any idea what fuse it may be? I'm thinking it would probably be either the switch or the motor, at this point, because every other function works perfectly. No idea how to go poking around with a volt meter, so I'm thinking I'll just have to run by the dealer one day when they can fit me in... ugh. At least I figured out how easy it is to replace my broken lumbar support! A few hooks and a $30 part will get that back in good order

08-15-2016, 02:19 PM	#6
hazy Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: H-Town Posts: 1,037	Tried everything- that thread was the first stuff I tried. Finally got fed up and now I'm sitting at the dealer hoping they can fix it. They just came and told me that they think it's the switch, but had to take it to a different part of the shop to diagnose. Hopefully I'll have it back soon!