I have an 04 TSX and the seat is stuck in the down position and wont come back up. I took it to the dealership today and they stated that Power Seat Reclining Motor may need to be replaced. Any suggestions, experiences, DIY? Please advise.
**** ya thank u it worked! 😁I'm posting my experience since this is a "Problem/Fixes" area and there was no reply. My '04 had this problem. I took it to the dealership and they quoted me over $1000 to replace the seat.
Here's what I did to fix the recliner:
1. Verify the recline motor is still working by getting out of the seat, pressing on the switch and listening for motor noise.
2. You should hear something faint and the seatback will move ever so slightly
3. If this is happens, the motor is fine and the gear is binding (go to step 5)
4. If you don't hear anything and the seatback doesn't move at all, the motor is probably dead and you'll need to source a replacement. If you're inclined, motor continuity can be verified with a multimeter. Consult the FSM.
5. Grab a friend that is strong and have them sit in the back seat
6. While pressing on the recline switch (in the direction to recline the seat toward the back of the car,) have your friend grab the seat and pull very hard toward the back seat. Don't worry, you won't break the seat.
7. The bound gear should release after several attempts and you'll have your recline functionality back.
8. If this doesn't work, remove the plastic seat trim around the switch and inspect the gears for access
9. Cover the carpet with some rags or a towel and spray PB Blaster (or equivalent) on the gears
10. Let it sit for an hour and repeat step 6.
11. If it still doesn't work, get a standard (flat head) screwdriver and pry the gear while performing step 6.
12. If this still doesn't work, you'll need to completely disassemble the gear section, check for obstructions or worn teeth and lubricate. This may require consulting the FSM.