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How to Install Power Seats in a Car

by Raymond Tong

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Adjusting car seats can be a hassle, particularly if the you have a bad back. Although, the adjuster lever position is ergonomic, a button located on the armrest or the dashboard to bring about the desired adjustments is more convenient. Power seats are available and though it may be challenging, with a simple push of a button, you will have the seat adjusted for your comfort after it is completed.

Removing the Factory Seats

Step 1

Park the car in neutral and engage the hand break. Remove the bolt caps located on the front and backside of the seat rail. Loosen the rear bolts securing the seat to the frame of the car; then loosen the ones in the backside of the seat rail.

Step 2

Collapse the seat for better handling, take the bolts out of their grooves and gently lift the seat off.

Pull out the seat gently and take it out of the car. Put this seat away. Repeat the same steps for the front passenger seat.

Installing the Power Seats

Step 1

Clean the area around the seat rail with your hand-held vacuum cleaner and lubricate the rails sparingly.

Step 2

Collapse the power seat and gently place it on the rails. Keep the wires clear of the rail.

Step 3

Finger tight the bolts in the front and back. Inspect the rail and the seat and make sure they are of the same length. If they are, tighten the bolts and replace the bolt caps. This replaces the seats.

Step 4

Run the wires for both the seats under the foot panel of the door-sill and attach it with the fuse box according to the wire diagram provided with the power seats. Use a 20-amp fuse to complete the circuit between the seat and the switch. Test the seat before attaching the switches with the dashboard.

Step 5

Unscrew the console and gently pull it off. The switch for the power seat is most ergonomic on the center console. Use your speed drill and make a small hole in the center console for the wires to run through. Run a set of wires from the 20-amp fuse to the center console. Cut any excess wire length. Clip on the switch over the hole in the center console; the switch shall cover the hole and attach cleanly.

Attach the wires with the switch and test the switch repeatedly. Clip on the switch over the hole in the center console. Make sure the switch shall cover the hole and attach cleanly.

References

Tips

Lubricate the seat rail to reduce stress on the motor of the power seat.
Attach the switch in such a position that is easy to access but away from any unintentional activation.
After installation is complete, sit in the seat and test the operation. If you notice any abnormal smell or see smoke, immediately switch off the car, disconnect the battery and check the power seat and its connections.

Things You'll Need

Two power seats
Power wire
Variable speed drill
Vacuum cleaner
20-amp fuse
Wire clippers

Warnings

Seat rail lengths may vary from vehicle to vehicle so make sure to measure the rail your vehicle before acquiring replacement seats.
Loose wires can cause sparks resulting in fire. Be careful not to leave any wire loosely connected or improperly insulated.
The fuse box houses all the fuses electronics of the car rely on. Make sure it does not interrupt another device's performance.
Working with grease inside the car can leave hard to remove blotches on the carpet of the car so use old newspapers to cover the carpet around the seats.

Writer Bio

Raymond Tong has been a writer since 2009. His latest research project, titled "It's not all about money!," is awaiting approval for publication. He brings industry experience in marketing and finance as well as experience in sports. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and finance from the University of Toronto.