The average price of the power seat motor replacement cost is between $605 and $632 for the average price for all makes, models, and years of cars. The labor costs are estimated between $103 and $130, with the total billed time is between 1 and 1.5 hours. The parts are usually priced around $500 for the total power seat motor replacement cost.
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What is the power seat motor?
The power seat motor is crucial to providing the driver with the correct driving angle to reach the pedals, reach the steering wheel, and see the dashboard in the front seat. The shape and position of the power seats in a motor vehicle, whether it be a car, truck, or SUV, can be customized and personalized at the push of a button for maximum comfort and ergonomic ability.
The power seats are adjusted by the driver or the passenger by pressing a button that signals a number of small motors inside the seat to activate the control switch. The power seat motors work together to control the seat forward, backward, tilted up, tilted down, or headrest movements. By controlling the lumbar support and the positioning of the seat, you can get a comfortable driving sitting position.
The motors in the power seat are usually activated and turned on by various relays that respond to signals from the power seat switches. If you find the power seat switch is not activating the motor in your seat, you can expect a higher power seat motor replacement cost.
What is a power seat?
The power seat is a front seat that can be easily adjusted by using a switch, buttons, or a joystick positioned within arm’s reach of the occupant. Most cars on the road these days have this feature, allowing the driver to quickly and electronically change their seat position to reach the pedals and the steering wheel.
The majority of vehicles with this feature have controls for the driver's seat only, while luxurious and high-end cars also have electronic controls for the passenger front seat. When looking at the total power seat control module replacement cost, any damage to the power seat structure can influence this price.
In addition to the front and side adjustments, the power seats can also be raised and lowered. This function works well for drivers of varying heights who use the same car since taller drivers will require a lower seat, while shorter drivers need a bigger boost to see over the wheel.
Any cars that do not have the power seat feature must have a lever or bar in the front or side of the seat to provide the adjustments. Although less common, you can find this adjustment mechanism on older and used cars. If you have a manually-adjustable seat, this counteracts the power seat control module replacement cost.
How does the power seat motor work?
The power seat motor is a very important part of driver safety and comfort in all vehicles. The motors are connected to the metal seat frame that forms the system of the seat, helping support the driver. When one of the power seat switches is pressed, a signal is sent to enable a relay to turn on the seat power motor. If you find the power seat motor is not receiving the proper signals, then it can lead to a higher power seat motor replacement cost.
When the power seat motor and the signals are being sent, the seat motors move the seat bottom, backrest, and headrest along various planes and axes to get the right angle for the driver’s specific measurements. In many cars, the position settings can be saved so the driver does not have to input and manually adjust the seat every time they start the car and begin to drive.
Symptoms of a faulty power seat motor
If you notice any of these signs and symptoms of a faulty power seat motor, chances are you will have a higher power seat motor replacement cost to fix your vehicle. Since a power seat is designed to move in multiple directions and planes, any issue with one direction of movement can cause the driver’s positioning to be incorrect.
Not Moving The Right Direction
Each seat motor moves a section of the seat to get the right angle for driving. Each motor is connected to move the seat in a specific axis, whether it be up and down, forward and backward, or diagonally in either direction. If you find the power seat buttons work and the seat can move, but does not move in the correct direction where you press the button, then you can expect a high power seat motor replacement cost.
Not Moving At All
Furthermore, if the power seat does not move at all when the driver or passenger presses the button to change the positioning, the problem is most likely stemming from another issue instead of a faulty seat motor. In this case, you will have to bring your car to a mechanic or auto body shop so they can analyze and run diagnostic tests and provide a quote for the power seat motor replacement cost.
Can you drive with a faulty power seat motor?
Battery Concerns – Do NOT Drive!
If the root cause of the malfunctioning power set motor is electrical, chances are there is an issue with the wiring short circuiting or a dead battery within your vehicle. In this case, the battery will have to be reset and retaught the inner workings of the vehicle’s operating systems. Once a mechanic notices the battery is the main cause of the issue, they should immediately fix the issue before it worsens over time and leads to an even higher power seat motor replacement cost.
Faulty Seat Motor – Get This Fixed ASAP!
However, if the root cause of the issue is due to a power seat motor not working properly, then the problem is not as severe. Even in this situation, it is still unsafe to drive your vehicle, as you will not be able to adjust your seat and get the right angle for driving. In this case, the driver could be in a compromised position while driving, leading to an unsafe situation.
When you notice the inability to adjust your seat, you should bring your car to a mechanic or auto body shop as soon as possible to resolve the issue. If you leave the issue without fixing the power seat motor, your body may be in an unsafe position relative to the steering wheel, dashboard, and pedals, leaving you exposed to potential damage from the airbags or the steering wheel itself.
By fixing your seat position, you can ensure the headrest, lumbar flexion, and seat position is in the correct setting to drive the car safely. If you let this issue go on for too long without fixing the root cause of the problem, it can lead to a higher power seat motor replacement cost.
How often do I need to replace the power seat motors?
- Power seat motors should last the entire lifespan of your vehicle.
However, if you notice any of the aforementioned signs and symptoms of a functioning motor or battery, then you may need to repair or replace these parts before they cause any unsafe driving conditions.
A power seat motor can wear out over time in certain makes, models and years of cars. Damage can occur to the power seat motor due to certain driving conditions or electrical concerns, like if writing in the control module becomes damaged due to excess wear and tear. Lastly, water may pool on the floor and can cause damage to the electrical circuit in the power seat mechanism.
How do you diagnose power seat motor concerns?
If you find there are signs and symptoms of a faulty power seat motor, you will have to diagnose the problem yourself or bring your car to a local mechanic. To check for a bad power seat motor, a chicken first has to ensure the fuse has not blown in your vehicle. If your fuse has blown, this could be the culprit for a non-working power seat motor.
However, if the seat only moves along one axis when you press the control button on your seat, the technician must check if power is being property related to the switch. If the technician finds the power is not transmitting to the relay and to the switch, this could cause a lack of movement on one or more axes on the seat.
Once the technician determines if the power is the issue, the professional will test the motor to ensure it is receiving the right amount of voltage. If the power seat has voltage but does not work, the issue is the power seat motor. In this case, you will have to obtain a quote for the power seat motor replacement cost.
The Bottom Line
Overall, the total price most drivers will have to pay for the power seat motor replacement cost is between $605 and $632, with the labor prices between $103 and $130. If you notice any of the signs and symptoms, like lack of movement or delay in moving in one or more axes, then you will have to bring your vehicle to a professional so they can diagnose and fix the problem.