GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Power Seat Does Not Recline w/o A45

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Driver Seat Schematics or Passenger Seat Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Power Seat Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information

2

Verify that the Power Seat Does Not Recline complaint is present.

Does the seat recline system operate as described in the system description and operation?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Probe the seat recline motor rearward control circuit of the recline motor with a test lamp that is connected to ground.
  2. Operate the seat recline motor REARWARD adjuster switch.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 6

4

  1. Probe the seat recline motor forward control circuit of the recline motor with a test lamp that is connected to ground.
  2. Operate the seat recline motor FORWARD adjuster switch.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 7

5

  1. Disconnect the seat recline motor harness connector.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the recline motor forward control circuit and the recline motor rearward control circuit of the motor harness connector.
  3. Operate the seat recline motor adjuster switch in the FORWARD and REARWARD directions.

Does the test lamp illuminate in both directions?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

6

Test the seat recline motor rearward control circuit for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 8

7

Test the seat recline motor forward control circuit for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 8

8

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the seat adjuster switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 10

9

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the seat recline motor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 11

10

Replace the seat adjuster switch. Refer to Power Seat Switch Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 12

--

11

Replace the seat recline motor. Refer to Front Seat Recliner Actuator Motor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 12

--

12

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2

Power Seat Does Not Recline with A45

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Driver Seat Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Power Seat Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information

2

Verify that the Power Seat Does Not Recline complaint is present.

Does the seat recline system operate as described in the system description and operation?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the Seat Recline Forward parameter in the Memory Seat Module data list.
  4. Operate the power seat recline FORWARD switch.

Does the Seat Recline Forward parameter change state?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 6

4

  1. With a scan tool, observe the Seat Recline Rearward parameter.
  2. Operate the power seat recline REARWARD switch.

Does the Seat Recline Rearward parameter change state?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 7

5

  1. Disconnect the seat recline motor harness connector.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the recline motor forward control circuit and the recline motor rearward control circuit of the harness connector.
  3. Operate the power seat recline switch in the FORWARD and REARWARD directions.

Does the test lamp illuminate in both directions?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 8

6

  1. Disconnect the seat adjuster switch harness connector.
  2. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire from battery positive voltage to the power seat recline forward switch signal circuit of the harness connector.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the Seat Recline Forward parameter.

Does the Seat Recline Forward parameter change state?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 10

7

  1. Disconnect the seat adjuster switch harness connector.
  2. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire from battery positive voltage to the power seat recline rearward switch signal circuit of the harness connector.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the Seat Recline Rearward parameter.

Does the Seat Recline Rearward parameter change state?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 11

8

Test the seat recline motor forward control circuit between the memory seat module (MSM) and the recline motor for a short to ground or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 9

9

Test the seat recline motor rearward control circuit between the MSM and the recline motor for a short to ground or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 12

10

Test the power seat recline forward switch signal circuit between the seat adjuster switch and the MSM for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 12

11

Test the power seat recline rearward switch signal circuit between the seat adjuster switch and the MSM for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 12

12

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the MSM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 15

13

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the seat adjuster switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 16

14

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the seat recline motor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 17

15

Replace the MSM. Refer to Control Module References in Computer/Integrating Systems for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 18

--

16

Replace the seat adjuster switch. Refer to Power Seat Switch Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 18

--

17

Replace the seat recline motor. Refer to Front Seat Recliner Actuator Motor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 18

--

18

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2