Front seat removal. How do you disconnect the power cable ?

[sugarwood]

I have unbolted all 6 hex bolts on my front driver's seat.
I tilted the seat back and see a thick power cable, but can't see how to disconnect it.
In the photo, it's the cable that is curving to the left, and then goes under the plate.

I read every "Seat removal" thread posted since 2002, and not one mentions this.
So, I am obviously missing something very very obvious. Any help is appreciated.

[bushle]

I just put my seats back in. The plug is the rectangular one to the left side in your picture. The plug pulls out of the socket up toward the seat cushion. Very simple. There should be a plastic peg that will show you the proper reconnection, but mine was broken off on the passenger side seat. I unscrewed the the 2 phillips head 5mm screws and the socket could be flipped to see how to reconnect. It's not Murphy-proof without the peg. Easy-peasy.

[sugarwood]

So I reach in above the plate with the 2 screws and pull the plug upwards?

[bushle]

Yep, it's that simple. If you want a better look, just unscrew the metal mount with the 2 phillips screws and you will get a better idea of how it works. The socket is mounted to that metal plate.

[sugarwood]

Today, I decided to remove the driver's seat and vacuum the carpets.

This time, I was able to get the prong block connector off.
However, it's not behind the plate with 2 screws.
It's to the left of that, behind the thing with the plastic "H" tab connector.


Unfortunately, I was still unable to remove the seat.
The other connector was impossible to detach and I finally gave up.
I tried pliers, picks, flathead screwdrivers. Those tabs were impossible to both spread and pull apart at the same time.
I just tilted the seat back and vacuum around it.
Hopefully, the 3rd time will be a charm, and that seat will finally come out!

[DaveMcKenz]

In your last picture, you squeeze together the two ridged areas of those little arms and the retaining jaws will come apart and release the plug. You can use Channel-lock pliers if they need more force than your fingers can provide.
Good luck,
Dave

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by DaveMcKenz

In your last picture, you squeeze together the two ridged areas of those little arms and the retaining jaws will come apart and release the plug. You can use Channel-lock pliers if they need more force than your fingers can provide.
Good luck,
Dave

Oh, I tried squeezing the tabs every possible way I could.
I used needlenose pliers, my fingers, anything.
The jaws simply wouldn't spread apart enough. Or, only one would.
I even tried simultaneously squeezing and prying but then ran out of hands to apart.

Eventually, my mind started thinking about intentionally snapping off the tabs and taping the connector back together when done.
But, once I started fantasizing about cutting the wires and installing spade connectors, I knew it was time to walk away.

[gamin]

Not an advocate of this, but the previous owner of the 88 cut the wires, stripped them back a bit, and reconnected them with wire nuts. It works is all that I can say. He must have had the same frustrations as you. I discovered this when I did a fire extinguisher bracket install under the passenger seat.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Oh, I tried squeezing the tabs every possible way I could.
I used needlenose pliers, my fingers, anything.
The jaws simply wouldn't spread apart enough. Or, only one would.
I even tried simultaneously squeezing and prying but then ran out of hands to apart.
.

Try pushing the connector TOGETHER, then squeezing the tabs. If you're pulling and squeezing and all that, the tabs actually tighten up. Push it together and the tabs will stop biting into the other piece, and might open.

[sugarwood]

Next time I try this, I am going to have a helper with a 3rd hand.
I will wedge those tabs apart with screwdrivers, and hold it there, while I do the other side.
Will take 2 pairs of hands.

Failed in 2014.
Failed in 2015.
Maybe I need to try again this year!

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Woody, isn't removing/partially removing the seat in order to vacuum under it getting into "head-case" territory, bro?!?!

[jlex]

Slip a thin flat-bladed screwdriver between the connectors and turn it to pry them apart while pressing the tabs. May want to use needle-nose pliers on the tabs. Ran into lots of these when I removed the intake manifold on my BMW. Need that prying action. Can't really get enough purchase on those clips to pull them apart so you need to pry.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by Rawknees'Turbo

Woody, isn't removing/partially removing the seat in order to vacuum under it getting into "head-case" territory, bro?!?!

LOL, I wasn't going to vacuum under the seat, just around it, like in between the seat and the door sill. Excuse me, as I'm now going to wax the underside of my whale tail

[Lyle O]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Excuse me, as I'm now going to wax the underside of my whale tail

What, doesn't everyone do that?

[azhodge]

passenger seat only had some function for years. removed the seat to do work. when I put is back in I made sure the plug was in correct. bang...everything worked. someone had plugged the connection in wrong.

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by Lyle O

What, doesn't everyone do that?

Some people are more in need of a thorough tail waxing than others!