seat moves back, not forward; can't access rear bolts

[Paul Crowther]

87 Carrera; bad seat drive cable only permits rearward movement, so I cannot move seat forward to access the rear seat rail mounting bolts. Is there another way to manually move seat forward on rail, like by disconnecting drive cable?

[proporsche]

let me ask you silly question...are you sure you removed the front bolts?Look with a mirror what is blocking it...

Ivan

[Paul Crowther]

Ivan, actually, I didn't try to remove them yet because I knew the drive shaft had been slipping lately when trying to move seat forward. I was always able to physically help seat move forward while shaft was trying unsuccessfully to move it by itself. I finally had time to commit to replacing shaft and now seat drive motor doesn't seem to respond to seat switch (forward only). So I may also have problem with that forward function of switch now. (unsure). Last time I adjusted seat forward the switch activated motor and I could hear shaft slipping. I've replaced a seat drive shaft on a 993 and it was similar setup, but at least I could move seat enough to get to bolts.

[proporsche]

one idea is ..while you use the el.switch try to hit the back of the rail with a copper or rubber hammer. The seats if they are in very end position they can get a little stuck..this way you can help it to kinda wake up....

[Paul Crowther]

Seat is not back all the way, and motor does not respond to switch (for forward movement), but I'll give it a try

[proporsche]

does it response going back?I would if the other stuff does not work try to switch the wires on the motor -to reverse it..

[Paul Crowther]

Seat DOES move rearward. I just now sat in seat, hit the forward button and jiggled seat fore and aft and with much clattering the seat inched forward with a little assistance on my part. So for now (till winter) I'll leave things be. Switch must be OK since motor did work, but I'm pretty certain drive shaft needs replacing as I've experienced this in a 993 I had.
I'm not too excited about all the electrical disconnects necessary on a driver seat (993 was passenger), but I'll have to deal with it.
Till then, thanks everyone!

[EC900]

Isn’t there an override hex screw for a factory crank tool to operate seats manually in these situations, same tool as the later style sunroof crank? It’s probably a mechanical failure with gearing, (missing tooth, coin in the track, etc.) than electrical.
Second the tap the motor routine. My Bmw seat got stuck full forward, no click or motor sound. Tap a few times freed up whatever was stuck.

[wrxnofx]

Why not remove the electrical connector and use a separate power and ground to flip the direction so you can use the same switch setting? Then it's the same switch, same motor, just rotating the opposite direction.

[Paul Crowther]

EC900
I read above about such a key, but cannot find the location where to insert that key (or allen wrench)

[EC900]

[Paul Crowther]

EC900
Ahhhh……thank you! I’ll look for that hole and experiment, even though I’ve been able to its normal driving position. I appreciate that!

[Paul Crowther]

EC900, I bet that is a page from the owners manual in my glove box😂

[proporsche]

EC 900 : nice point.. ---that was my 1st thought but i was lazy to go see it on my 911 ...it has been long time ago i have looked at the bottom of the my seat;-)
Paul..did you you try it yet and did it work for you?
Ivan

[Paul Crowther]

ProPorsche
See several posts up to see what I did. I’m gonna wait till winter to tackle this I think. I’m amazed how many electrical connections are on the drivers side! Not looking forward to that part.