Electric seats started moving by themselves

PaulR · 26th April 2021, 12:01

I just thought that I had got the niggles on my 53 plate 75 sorted when the driver's memory seat started moving all the way back today. I can return it to the proper place by pressing the memory button but it suddenly goes all the way back again which is, of course, very unsafe.

Has anyone any thoughts about how to fix this? Can I disconnect the motor as a temporary fix?

Thank you

Paul

hogweed · 26th April 2021, 17:59

You could certainly disconnect the motor, or there may be a fuse somewhere – sorry I can't be more precise.

The switches are prone to breaking internally, as people (previous owners perhaps) often don't realise the switches are electric, and wrench them with the kind of force needed for mechanical levers.

I tried to fix mine, but it wasn’t possible, so I had to buy the entire valance complete with switches from eBay.

Good luck…

VVC-Geeza · 26th April 2021, 18:14

Are you sure you are not accidently catching the switch?This happens to me occasionally not when driving but when getting out in tight situations or cleaning seats etc.

PaulR · 26th April 2021, 20:05

Thanks for the replies. It happened as I was driving along - rather alarming. I am proud to say I have owned the car since 2008 so anything done by the previous owner would have become apparent by now!

I had a fiddle with the switch this evening and went for a drive and all seemed ok. There was nothing near the switch though so I will wait with baited breath for it to happen again.

Thanks again

Paul

stocktake · 26th April 2021, 20:14

Usual culprit is the seat belt, quite unnerving when it happens when driving, More prone to happen if your belt is slow to retract when you take it off as the slack at the bottom can get entangled in the switches

Ducati750cc · 26th April 2021, 20:39

A friend nearly had an accident when he was braking and the seat suddenly went back to it's fullest extent.

The cause was water in the loom and multi-plugs under the seat from a bad water leak, I can't remember exactly where from but do remember that corrosion was the cause of the water leak.

Mike Noc · 26th April 2021, 22:23

You haven't swapped keys have you? The memory seats have 'his and hers' settings depending on which key is used.

PaulR · 27th April 2021, 07:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Noc

You haven't swapped keys have you? The memory seats have 'his and hers' settings depending on which key is used.

I didn't know that, but I am the only driver and the seat just went as far back as it could whilst I was driving. When it came to the end stop the motor was still trying to pull it back further.

It seems that it isn't a known fault so I am hoping it was a one off. I will drive the car further today and report back

PaulR · 27th April 2021, 18:13

I went out in it this afternoon and there were no problems with the seat. Whatever was causing it seems ok now fortunately.

Forestgreen · 28th April 2021, 19:53

I occasionally return to my car to find the driver's seat has moved whilst I've been away. Definitely haunted I'd say.

As an aside can anyone else move the seats with the key out and ignition off if the door is open but not if it's shut (or maybe it's the other way around?)

26th April 2021, 12:01	#1
PaulR Regular poster Rover 75 saloon (and P4 100) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southport Posts: 87 Thanks: 9 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Electric seats started moving by themselves I just thought that I had got the niggles on my 53 plate 75 sorted when the driver's memory seat started moving all the way back today. I can return it to the proper place by pressing the memory button but it suddenly goes all the way back again which is, of course, very unsafe. Has anyone any thoughts about how to fix this? Can I disconnect the motor as a temporary fix? Thank you Paul

26th April 2021, 17:59	#2
hogweed I really should get out more....... Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Norn Iron Posts: 2,958 Thanks: 942 Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts	You could certainly disconnect the motor, or there may be a fuse somewhere – sorry I can't be more precise. The switches are prone to breaking internally, as people (previous owners perhaps) often don't realise the switches are electric, and wrench them with the kind of force needed for mechanical levers. I tried to fix mine, but it wasn’t possible, so I had to buy the entire valance complete with switches from eBay. Good luck… __________________ Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.

26th April 2021, 18:14	#3
VVC-Geeza This is my second home 2005 Connoisseur SE 1.8 Turbo,2004 45 1.8 Connoisseur and my beloved 1998 VVC Coupe. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Derby. Posts: 8,755 Thanks: 2,022 Thanked 1,016 Times in 739 Posts	Are you sure you are not accidently catching the switch?This happens to me occasionally not when driving but when getting out in tight situations or cleaning seats etc. __________________

26th April 2021, 20:14	#5
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,586 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	Usual culprit is the seat belt, quite unnerving when it happens when driving, More prone to happen if your belt is slow to retract when you take it off as the slack at the bottom can get entangled in the switches __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

26th April 2021, 20:39	#6
Ducati750cc Loves to post Rover75 tourer Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Ashton Posts: 428 Thanks: 121 Thanked 206 Times in 145 Posts	A friend nearly had an accident when he was braking and the seat suddenly went back to it's fullest extent. The cause was water in the loom and multi-plugs under the seat from a bad water leak, I can't remember exactly where from but do remember that corrosion was the cause of the water leak. __________________ Common sense isn't a gift, it's a punishment because you have to deal with everyone who doesn't have it.

26th April 2021, 20:05	#4
PaulR Regular poster Rover 75 saloon (and P4 100) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southport Posts: 87 Thanks: 9 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Thanks for the replies. It happened as I was driving along - rather alarming. I am proud to say I have owned the car since 2008 so anything done by the previous owner would have become apparent by now! I had a fiddle with the switch this evening and went for a drive and all seemed ok. There was nothing near the switch though so I will wait with baited breath for it to happen again. Thanks again Paul

26th April 2021, 22:23	#7
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,543 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	You haven't swapped keys have you? The memory seats have 'his and hers' settings depending on which key is used.

27th April 2021, 18:13	#9
PaulR Regular poster Rover 75 saloon (and P4 100) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southport Posts: 87 Thanks: 9 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	I went out in it this afternoon and there were no problems with the seat. Whatever was causing it seems ok now fortunately.

28th April 2021, 19:53	#10
Forestgreen Gets stuck in Rover 75 Connoisseur SE 2.5 V6 saloon Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Birmingham Posts: 770 Thanks: 47 Thanked 105 Times in 54 Posts	I occasionally return to my car to find the driver's seat has moved whilst I've been away. Definitely haunted I'd say. As an aside can anyone else move the seats with the key out and ignition off if the door is open but not if it's shut (or maybe it's the other way around?)

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