GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Seat Adjuster Switch B+

1, 2

1

--

--

Horizontal Motor Forward Control

1

1

--

--

Horizontal Motor Rearward Control

1

1

--

--

Front Vertical Motor Up Control

1

1

--

--

Front Vertical Motor Down Control

1

1

--

--

Rear Vertical Motor Up Control

1

1

--

--

Rear Vertical Motor Down Control

1

1

--

--

Seat Adjuster Switch Ground

--

1

--

--

  1. Power seats inoperative
  2. Lumbar support inoperative

Circuit/System Description

Battery voltage is supplied at all times to the seat adjuster switch through the PWR SEATS 40A fuse in the underhood fuse block and the SEAT 25A circuit breaker located in the seat wiring harness. When the seat adjuster switches are in an inactive state, the switch contacts are closed to the switch ground circuit and G345.

All power seat motors are reversible. For example, when the seat horizontal forward switch is pressed to move the entire seat forward, battery voltage is applied through the switch contacts and the seat horizontal motor forward control circuit to the motor. The motor is grounded through the horizontal motor rearward switch contacts and the horizontal motor rearward control circuit to the motor. The motor runs in order to drive the entire seat forward until the switch is released. Moving the entire seat rearward works similarly to moving the entire seat forward, except that battery positive voltage and ground are applied on opposite circuits causing the motor to run in the opposite direction. All seat motors are powered this way.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

    •  Driver Seat Schematics
    •  Passenger Seat Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Power Seats System Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Circuit/System Verification

Operate the power seat switches for the seat directional motors listed below in both directions. The seat should move in the commanded directions.

    • Horizontal Motor
    • Front Vertical Motor
    • Rear Vertical Motor
If the power seat is inoperative in all directions, refer to the Seat Adjuster Switch Circuit Test.
If one or more of the seat adjuster motors operate, refer to the Seat Adjuster Motor Control Circuit Test.

Circuit/System Testing

Seat Adjuster Switch Circuit Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the seat adjuster switch.
  2. Test for less than 5 ohms between the ground circuit terminal D and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal A and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  6. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the seat adjuster switch.

Seat Adjuster Motor Control Circuit Test

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the seat adjuster motor assembly.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the appropriate control circuit terminals listed below:
  3. • Seat horizontal motor terminal A and terminal B
    • Seat front vertical motor terminal C and terminal D
    • Seat rear vertical motor terminal E and terminal F
  4. Ignition ON, operate the appropriate seat switch in both directions. The test lamp should turn ON when commanding the motor in both directions.
  5. If the test lamp remains OFF during either of the commands, test the control circuits for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuits test normal, test or replace the seat adjuster switch.
  6. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the seat adjuster motor assembly.

Component Testing

Seat Adjuster Switch

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the seat adjuster switch.
  2. Test for infinite resistance between the B+ terminal A and each control terminal listed below with the switch in the open position:
  3. • Seat horizontal forward terminal H
    • Seat horizontal rearward terminal G
    • Seat front vertical upward terminal F
    • Seat front vertical downward terminal E
    • Seat rear vertical upward terminal C
    • Seat rear vertical downward terminal B
    If not the specified value, replace the seat adjuster switch.
  4. Test for less than 1 ohm between the B+ terminal D and each control terminal listed below with the switch in the closed position:
  5. • Seat horizontal forward terminal H
    • Seat horizontal rearward terminal G
    • Seat front vertical upward terminal F
    • Seat front vertical downward terminal E
    • Seat rear vertical upward terminal C
    • Seat rear vertical downward terminal B
    If greater than the specified range, replace the seat adjuster switch.
  6. Test for less than 1 ohm between the ground terminal B and each control terminal listed below with the switch in the open position:
  7. • Seat horizontal forward terminal H
    • Seat horizontal rearward terminal G
    • Seat front vertical upward terminal F
    • Seat front vertical downward terminal E
    • Seat rear vertical upward terminal C
    • Seat rear vertical downward terminal B
    If greater than the specified range, replace the seat adjuster switch.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Power Seat Switch Replacement
    •  Front Seat Adjuster Replacement