'13 DB9 Driver's Seat Won't Move Forward/Down
Discussion
Hi everyone!
I recently picked up a '13 DB9 with 14k miles. Annoyingly, the driver seat will not move forward or backward, and it will not move down. It still moves up, and the backrest goes forward and backward fine.
The previous owner changed the battery with a new one, and he claims that the seat was fully operational before the battery change. He seems a trustworthy fellow, but I have no way of verifying it worked before.
I tried the "calibration mode" steps this morning of pushing the buttons in a particular order, however since the seat doesn't actually move forward or down, i'm not sure if that's doing anything.
The passenger seat moves in all directions normally.
I'm curious if anyone has any ideas on what to check/try. The seat is a couple inches too far back for comfort, or I wouldn't even worry about it!
I recently picked up a '13 DB9 with 14k miles. Annoyingly, the driver seat will not move forward or backward, and it will not move down. It still moves up, and the backrest goes forward and backward fine.
The previous owner changed the battery with a new one, and he claims that the seat was fully operational before the battery change. He seems a trustworthy fellow, but I have no way of verifying it worked before.
I tried the "calibration mode" steps this morning of pushing the buttons in a particular order, however since the seat doesn't actually move forward or down, i'm not sure if that's doing anything.
The passenger seat moves in all directions normally.
I'm curious if anyone has any ideas on what to check/try. The seat is a couple inches too far back for comfort, or I wouldn't even worry about it!
For most to replace a battery in a DB9 the front seat would ideally be moved fully forward so as to create some working space, so if you say the seat is a little too far back this would suggest the seat was working after the battery change.
Perhaps a check for a loose connection to the seat.
Depending on how much resetting you wish to undertake (last resort) you could go for a hard reset.
As an aside the first time I replaced the battery in my DB9 I was unable to move the seat back from fully forward, I eventually, after reading the W/S manual found that if the interior light extinguishes with the doors open, this will inhibit the seat function. Possibly later models have been modified to stop this from happening.
Perhaps a check for a loose connection to the seat.
Depending on how much resetting you wish to undertake (last resort) you could go for a hard reset.
As an aside the first time I replaced the battery in my DB9 I was unable to move the seat back from fully forward, I eventually, after reading the W/S manual found that if the interior light extinguishes with the doors open, this will inhibit the seat function. Possibly later models have been modified to stop this from happening.
Simpo Two said:
Welcome to the wonderful world of PH!
I'm guessing but is there a fuse you can pull out for 10 secs to reset a module? That's how the windows work. Have a look in the manual for 'driver's seat fuse'.
I have not - The only fuse I've gotten around to is #15 to disable the exhaust valve ;p I'm guessing but is there a fuse you can pull out for 10 secs to reset a module? That's how the windows work. Have a look in the manual for 'driver's seat fuse'.
It looks like there are two fuses that impact the seat movement, I'll try pulling them and giving a minute before re-installing:
Fuse F85 – 30 Amp – Driver seat power and switch pack
Fuse F86 – 5 Amp – Start button, Driver and passenger seats
DB531 said:
For most to replace a battery in a DB9 the front seat would ideally be moved fully forward so as to create some working space, so if you say the seat is a little too far back this would suggest the seat was working after the battery change.
Perhaps a check for a loose connection to the seat.
Depending on how much resetting you wish to undertake (last resort) you could go for a hard reset.
As an aside the first time I replaced the battery in my DB9 I was unable to move the seat back from fully forward, I eventually, after reading the W/S manual found that if the interior light extinguishes with the doors open, this will inhibit the seat function. Possibly later models have been modified to stop this from happening.
Interesting, so are you saying that if a door is left open so long that the interior lights turn off (as battery saver i guess), the seat is disabled "permanently?" If so, that's a possibility...Perhaps a check for a loose connection to the seat.
Depending on how much resetting you wish to undertake (last resort) you could go for a hard reset.
As an aside the first time I replaced the battery in my DB9 I was unable to move the seat back from fully forward, I eventually, after reading the W/S manual found that if the interior light extinguishes with the doors open, this will inhibit the seat function. Possibly later models have been modified to stop this from happening.
I'm open to a hard reset, though admittedly I don't know how to do it or the implications. I know these cars have a lot of 're-learn' procedures, even such that I have to coast from 70 mph to 20 three times, and I'm not familiar with all of them yet.
Edited by andratch on Friday 3rd October 15:41
I have seen similar behavior on another MY14 DB9. Battery was disconnected and seats removed, and upon re-installation, would move forward, but not back.
The readily available reset procedure of moving all the way forward/back/up/down obviously could not be done, with the seat showing no signs of life for the majority of the movements.
AMDS has a Seat Calibration tool, which did the trick.
The readily available reset procedure of moving all the way forward/back/up/down obviously could not be done, with the seat showing no signs of life for the majority of the movements.
AMDS has a Seat Calibration tool, which did the trick.
When I had the the previously mentioned situation I cured the problem pretty much by accident and much switch fiddling. I seem to remember I did hold up the seat height switch.
No doubt your model will have memory seats which mine does not.
Having gone through one battery disconnect and all the associated resets I now opt for a battery pack to keep everything in order when changing a battery.
The following is from an early addition of the AML workshop manual and seems to cover your symptoms and I think answers your query
Seat Module Calibration
This mode allows the seat module to learn its position. The
seat needs to know exactly where it is to electronically
prevent seat movement into certain areas within the
mechanical seat movement envelope.
Once the seat has been put in to calibration mode it will
remain in this mode until it as been re-taught its position.
There is no physical indication that the seat is in calibration
mode, the seat could be left in this mode for some time
before a user notices.
There is nothing wrong with the seat being in calibration
mode for extended periods of time, it will only be apparent
to the user when a rearward / downward seat movement is
required.
The seat must be calibrated before rearward / downward
movement is allowed.
Calibration mode is activated by a diagnostic command or
by switching on the BDS while holding up the seat height
switches.
1. With the Interior light relay ‘On’, i.e. door open, move
the seat forwards or backwards, then disconnect the
vehicle battery (either physically or via the BDS) before
the interior light relay switches ‘Off’ (five minutes
unlocked, 30 second locked).
The seat module is now in calibration mode.
The seat will not go into calibration mode if the interior light
relay has been allowed to switch off since the last seat
movement.
2. Drive the seat fully forward, allow the motors to stall
against the seats mechanical end stops.
3. Drive the seat fully upwards, allow the motors to stall
against the seats mechanical end stops.
The seat up switch needs to be operated front up then back
up.
When each end stop is reached the motor will know where
it is on that particular axis, the seat will only allow forward
of upward movement until each axis position has been
learnt
4. The seat module is now out of calibration mode.
I hope this helps
No doubt your model will have memory seats which mine does not.
Having gone through one battery disconnect and all the associated resets I now opt for a battery pack to keep everything in order when changing a battery.
The following is from an early addition of the AML workshop manual and seems to cover your symptoms and I think answers your query
Seat Module Calibration
This mode allows the seat module to learn its position. The
seat needs to know exactly where it is to electronically
prevent seat movement into certain areas within the
mechanical seat movement envelope.
Once the seat has been put in to calibration mode it will
remain in this mode until it as been re-taught its position.
There is no physical indication that the seat is in calibration
mode, the seat could be left in this mode for some time
before a user notices.
There is nothing wrong with the seat being in calibration
mode for extended periods of time, it will only be apparent
to the user when a rearward / downward seat movement is
required.
The seat must be calibrated before rearward / downward
movement is allowed.
Calibration mode is activated by a diagnostic command or
by switching on the BDS while holding up the seat height
switches.
1. With the Interior light relay ‘On’, i.e. door open, move
the seat forwards or backwards, then disconnect the
vehicle battery (either physically or via the BDS) before
the interior light relay switches ‘Off’ (five minutes
unlocked, 30 second locked).
The seat module is now in calibration mode.
The seat will not go into calibration mode if the interior light
relay has been allowed to switch off since the last seat
movement.
2. Drive the seat fully forward, allow the motors to stall
against the seats mechanical end stops.
3. Drive the seat fully upwards, allow the motors to stall
against the seats mechanical end stops.
The seat up switch needs to be operated front up then back
up.
When each end stop is reached the motor will know where
it is on that particular axis, the seat will only allow forward
of upward movement until each axis position has been
learnt
4. The seat module is now out of calibration mode.
I hope this helps
DB531 said:
When I had the the previously mentioned situation I cured the problem pretty much by accident and much switch fiddling. I seem to remember I did hold up the seat height switch.
No doubt your model will have memory seats which mine does not.
Having gone through one battery disconnect and all the associated resets I now opt for a battery pack to keep everything in order when changing a battery.
The following is from an early addition of the AML workshop manual and seems to cover your symptoms and I think answers your query
Seat Module Calibration
This mode allows the seat module to learn its position. The
seat needs to know exactly where it is to electronically
prevent seat movement into certain areas within the
mechanical seat movement envelope.
Once the seat has been put in to calibration mode it will
remain in this mode until it as been re-taught its position.
There is no physical indication that the seat is in calibration
mode, the seat could be left in this mode for some time
before a user notices.
There is nothing wrong with the seat being in calibration
mode for extended periods of time, it will only be apparent
to the user when a rearward / downward seat movement is
required.
The seat must be calibrated before rearward / downward
movement is allowed.
Calibration mode is activated by a diagnostic command or
by switching on the BDS while holding up the seat height
switches.
1. With the Interior light relay On , i.e. door open, move
the seat forwards or backwards, then disconnect the
vehicle battery (either physically or via the BDS) before
the interior light relay switches Off (five minutes
unlocked, 30 second locked).
The seat module is now in calibration mode.
The seat will not go into calibration mode if the interior light
relay has been allowed to switch off since the last seat
movement.
2. Drive the seat fully forward, allow the motors to stall
against the seats mechanical end stops.
3. Drive the seat fully upwards, allow the motors to stall
against the seats mechanical end stops.
The seat up switch needs to be operated front up then back
up.
When each end stop is reached the motor will know where
it is on that particular axis, the seat will only allow forward
of upward movement until each axis position has been
learnt
4. The seat module is now out of calibration mode.
I hope this helps
This is interesting stuff and I hope OP (andratch) will post back on its success if he tries it.No doubt your model will have memory seats which mine does not.
Having gone through one battery disconnect and all the associated resets I now opt for a battery pack to keep everything in order when changing a battery.
The following is from an early addition of the AML workshop manual and seems to cover your symptoms and I think answers your query
Seat Module Calibration
This mode allows the seat module to learn its position. The
seat needs to know exactly where it is to electronically
prevent seat movement into certain areas within the
mechanical seat movement envelope.
Once the seat has been put in to calibration mode it will
remain in this mode until it as been re-taught its position.
There is no physical indication that the seat is in calibration
mode, the seat could be left in this mode for some time
before a user notices.
There is nothing wrong with the seat being in calibration
mode for extended periods of time, it will only be apparent
to the user when a rearward / downward seat movement is
required.
The seat must be calibrated before rearward / downward
movement is allowed.
Calibration mode is activated by a diagnostic command or
by switching on the BDS while holding up the seat height
switches.
1. With the Interior light relay On , i.e. door open, move
the seat forwards or backwards, then disconnect the
vehicle battery (either physically or via the BDS) before
the interior light relay switches Off (five minutes
unlocked, 30 second locked).
The seat module is now in calibration mode.
The seat will not go into calibration mode if the interior light
relay has been allowed to switch off since the last seat
movement.
2. Drive the seat fully forward, allow the motors to stall
against the seats mechanical end stops.
3. Drive the seat fully upwards, allow the motors to stall
against the seats mechanical end stops.
The seat up switch needs to be operated front up then back
up.
When each end stop is reached the motor will know where
it is on that particular axis, the seat will only allow forward
of upward movement until each axis position has been
learnt
4. The seat module is now out of calibration mode.
I hope this helps
For me, I've pasted this into an 'MS Word' document and have filed it in my Vantage folder.
I had a similar issue on my passenger seat after disconnecting the battery to reset my Garmin satnav - the seat would not travel through its entire range, so I was envisioning a trip to my MD for an AMDS fix. However, by fiddling with the seat buttons I gradually got movement back until the seat was functioning normally - in all my random button operating I may have inadvertently stumbled on this sequence.
andratch said:
Interesting, so are you saying that if a door is left open so long that the interior lights turn off (as battery saver i guess), the seat is disabled "permanently?"
It won't be a "permanent" disable...The normal operation is for the driver to be able to open the door and adjust the seat, before putting the key in the ignition (well, it is for other PAG vehicles, so I'm assuming it's the same for AM). ie: The opening of the door is the cue to energise the seat adjustment systems. However, if the door is left open for a reason other than to get in and drive off, the seat adjustment can be turned off, thus saving power.
As this is the same logic behind the interior light, it makes sense for them to use the same time timer and combine into one.
IYSWIM
M
“1. With the Interior light relay ‘On’, i.e. door open, move
the seat forwards or backwards, then disconnect the
vehicle battery (either physically or via the BDS) before
the interior light relay switches ‘Off’ (five minutes
unlocked, 30 second locked).”
How long do you keep the battery disconnected after this step?
the seat forwards or backwards, then disconnect the
vehicle battery (either physically or via the BDS) before
the interior light relay switches ‘Off’ (five minutes
unlocked, 30 second locked).”
How long do you keep the battery disconnected after this step?
Quick update:
Today I opened up the cabin fuse box. Fuse 85, which controls power to the driver seat, was still intact.
I removed it, waited a few minutes, and put it back in. Unfortunately, no change - the seatback moves normally, but the seat bottom does not go forward or down.
I do not hear any relays clicking under the seat when I try to move the seat forward/down. I do hear relays clicking under the seat when I move it in a direction that actually functions.
Any idea which relays I should check for the forward/down function?
Today I opened up the cabin fuse box. Fuse 85, which controls power to the driver seat, was still intact.
I removed it, waited a few minutes, and put it back in. Unfortunately, no change - the seatback moves normally, but the seat bottom does not go forward or down.
I do not hear any relays clicking under the seat when I try to move the seat forward/down. I do hear relays clicking under the seat when I move it in a direction that actually functions.
Any idea which relays I should check for the forward/down function?
andratch said:
Quick update:
Today I opened up the cabin fuse box. Fuse 85, which controls power to the driver seat, was still intact.
I removed it, waited a few minutes, and put it back in. Unfortunately, no change - the seatback moves normally, but the seat bottom does not go forward or down.
I do not hear any relays clicking under the seat when I try to move the seat forward/down. I do hear relays clicking under the seat when I move it in a direction that actually functions.
Any idea which relays I should check for the forward/down function?
I see you have cast your net far and wide for info. Today I opened up the cabin fuse box. Fuse 85, which controls power to the driver seat, was still intact.
I removed it, waited a few minutes, and put it back in. Unfortunately, no change - the seatback moves normally, but the seat bottom does not go forward or down.
I do not hear any relays clicking under the seat when I try to move the seat forward/down. I do hear relays clicking under the seat when I move it in a direction that actually functions.
Any idea which relays I should check for the forward/down function?
I notice that much of the on line help for your problem recommends the owners hand book seat recalibration info, you indicate that you have carried this out without any success, just checking, you did carry it out to a T ?
A couple of posters actually carried out the process that has been published above and were happy with the outcome !!
A couple went the disconnect route and start afresh.
Depending on whether or not the previous owner just disconnected the battery or used a back up battery pack so as to preserve the settings would make a difference to how one would finalize the task.
If the battery was just disconnected and reconnected It could be that the seat is in the recalibration mode as described in the WS notes, if that is the case, then I suspect all you may have to do to resolve the issue is to lift the horizontal seat switch so that the seat as an entirety lifts, not just tilt one way or the other, I guess by doing this you energize two motors. This can be done without the key in the ignition, I have just tested it out.
Might be worth checking with the previous owner, his battery replacement procedure that would give you a clue as to where to start .
DB531 said:
I see you have cast your net far and wide for info.
I notice that much of the on line help for your problem recommends the owners hand book seat recalibration info, you indicate that you have carried this out without any success, just checking, you did carry it out to a T ?
A couple of posters actually carried out the process that has been published above and were happy with the outcome !!
A couple went the disconnect route and start afresh.
Depending on whether or not the previous owner just disconnected the battery or used a back up battery pack so as to preserve the settings would make a difference to how one would finalize the task.
If the battery was just disconnected and reconnected It could be that the seat is in the recalibration mode as described in the WS notes, if that is the case, then I suspect all you may have to do to resolve the issue is to lift the horizontal seat switch so that the seat as an entirety lifts, not just tilt one way or the other, I guess by doing this you energize two motors. This can be done without the key in the ignition, I have just tested it out.
Might be worth checking with the previous owner, his battery replacement procedure that would give you a clue as to where to start .
Yes, I posted this question in a few places - trying to get as many insights as possible. The driver seat is in a rather uncomfortable position right now, and since it won't move much, that inhibits my driving. I notice that much of the on line help for your problem recommends the owners hand book seat recalibration info, you indicate that you have carried this out without any success, just checking, you did carry it out to a T ?
A couple of posters actually carried out the process that has been published above and were happy with the outcome !!
A couple went the disconnect route and start afresh.
Depending on whether or not the previous owner just disconnected the battery or used a back up battery pack so as to preserve the settings would make a difference to how one would finalize the task.
If the battery was just disconnected and reconnected It could be that the seat is in the recalibration mode as described in the WS notes, if that is the case, then I suspect all you may have to do to resolve the issue is to lift the horizontal seat switch so that the seat as an entirety lifts, not just tilt one way or the other, I guess by doing this you energize two motors. This can be done without the key in the ignition, I have just tested it out.
Might be worth checking with the previous owner, his battery replacement procedure that would give you a clue as to where to start .
I didn't disconnect the battery, rather just pulled the fuse for the seat (F85). I can remove the negative terminal and try again. I know that will require me to recalibrate the windows too, and do that 70-to-20 coast 3 times, but I'm not sure what else.
To be honest, though, I'm not convinced that calibration is the issue. Everything I've read on calibration mode (including the shop manual) says that it impacts *rearward / downward* motion - and mine impacts forward/up as well. I can't find any post about someone having forward motion issues that were solved by calibration. I'm open to giving it another try, however I'm aprehensive that it'll result in the seat now being all the way up without the ability to lower it....though frankly my next step is to manually energize the motors, so perhaps that's not a big loss.
DB531 said:
I see you have cast your net far and wide for info.
I notice that much of the on line help for your problem recommends the owners hand book seat recalibration info, you indicate that you have carried this out without any success, just checking, you did carry it out to a T ?
A couple of posters actually carried out the process that has been published above and were happy with the outcome !!
A couple went the disconnect route and start afresh.
Depending on whether or not the previous owner just disconnected the battery or used a back up battery pack so as to preserve the settings would make a difference to how one would finalize the task.
If the battery was just disconnected and reconnected It could be that the seat is in the recalibration mode as described in the WS notes, if that is the case, then I suspect all you may have to do to resolve the issue is to lift the horizontal seat switch so that the seat as an entirety lifts, not just tilt one way or the other, I guess by doing this you energize two motors. This can be done without the key in the ignition, I have just tested it out.
Might be worth checking with the previous owner, his battery replacement procedure that would give you a clue as to where to start .
You were right! Full battery disconnect and “start from scratch” fixed it. I notice that much of the on line help for your problem recommends the owners hand book seat recalibration info, you indicate that you have carried this out without any success, just checking, you did carry it out to a T ?
A couple of posters actually carried out the process that has been published above and were happy with the outcome !!
A couple went the disconnect route and start afresh.
Depending on whether or not the previous owner just disconnected the battery or used a back up battery pack so as to preserve the settings would make a difference to how one would finalize the task.
If the battery was just disconnected and reconnected It could be that the seat is in the recalibration mode as described in the WS notes, if that is the case, then I suspect all you may have to do to resolve the issue is to lift the horizontal seat switch so that the seat as an entirety lifts, not just tilt one way or the other, I guess by doing this you energize two motors. This can be done without the key in the ignition, I have just tested it out.
Might be worth checking with the previous owner, his battery replacement procedure that would give you a clue as to where to start .
I followed the normal seat configuration steps and that didn’t do it, so I just kept pressing and holding the seat motion switches in different directions, and after a couple minutes the “down” started working, followed shortly by forward/backward.
It seems like the seat got stuck somewhere around configuration mode where it couldn’t “set.”
all good now!
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