Second row seat won't flip

[Sc0tt]

Hi All

The drivers side second row seat won't flip forward. The back lowers fine. You can lower the seat to the flat floor position. But you can't flip the seat forward for rear seat access. The passenger side one works fine and there is nothing I can see trying to compare the two that seems wrong. Pulling the level or rear cord only moves the mechanism a small amount....similar to what you can do on the other side when the seat is in the flipped position.

I have given the mechanism a few good whacks with a rubber mallet, tried putting all my weight on the seat while pulling the lever and tried manipulating the action with a screw driver/mallet (gently but with force). Nothing works. Doesn't budge at all.

Is there some interlock between the flip action and the lowering action? I noticed that you can't operate the flip action with the seat lowered. This seems like a likely cause. I tried lowering and raising forcefully to see if an interlock was not releasing, but no joy.

Any ideas/instructions on removing the seat while it is still secured?

Regards
Scott

[Epic pooh]

The seat is held down by 4 torx screws on the floor. They are intended to be removed when the seat is in the flipped forward positon so not sure if you can get to them with the seat down. A cursory glance at my tech notes has not led me to a diagram of the mechanism of the seat. Mine has been a pita once or twice over the years. I think I lowered it and jumped on it a few times but it sounds like you've done that sort of thing to death.

[Sc0tt]

Hey Mick

I tried the torx bolts but only three are accessible. If I get super desperate I might be able to manufacture something to reach the forth bolt.

I like the jumping idea. Do you know how hard it is to jump on those seats?! I gave it a few good hops (not nearly high enough to be called a jump) but that was no good. I'm sure I gave the neighbours a laugh though.

I am open to other ideas!

Regards
Scott

[Graeme]

Mine lifts easily with the back folded. Have you tried just a little pressure above the catches?

Is the lever moving the same amount as the other side?

[Sc0tt]

Hi Graeme

I have tried the gentle touch. No joy. The lever only moves as far as when you have the seat in the lowered position. I have tried the lever, the strap and pulling on the actual mechanism under the seat.

Seems like an interlock when the seat is in the lowered position, but I don't think there is one (just that the lever hits the seat base when in the lowered position).

Cheers
Scott

[Epic pooh]

If you lay the front seat forward you can get a good jumping angle or get your kids onto it !

Speaking of kids, there is nothing small of theirs jammed in the mechanism / under the seat or in the catch ? That design is a magnet for kids "important things" ...

As Graeme says, if you push down on the rear of the seat when pulling the release strap does that help ?

[Sc0tt]

Hi Mick

It is all relatively clean around there. Nothing apart from a little sand/grit. Nothing that would lock up the latch. I will try hanging off the back of the seat, while one of the kids operates the latch........nope. 85kg hanging off the back of the seat while someone operated the lever made no difference. Bouncing didn't help either.

Cheers
Scott

[Epic pooh]

I found many important things under my seat !

You have 40 20 40 seat ? Can you depress the latch release with a big screwdriver (need to sit in third row I think) ? 88750

[Sc0tt]

Hey Mick

My seats/floor are as new compared to that! My kids have been banned from food/drinks/etc at least until the novelty of the new car wears off.

I have put quite a bit of force onto the mechanism...getting afraid of breaking/bending something....

Hopefully some corrugations over the next few days will work whatever it is loose.

Cheers
Scott

[Graeme]

I haven't looked at what prevents the base from being unlocked when the back is still upright but is there a linkage to the top catch that may be preventing the release of the base?

Edit: There is no mechanism to prevent unlocking of the base while the back is upright, not on mine anyway.

[Graeme]

Has the pin moved out of the fork on 1 catch? You might have to go by feel if you can't get a light in there.

[Sc0tt]

Hi Graeme

Both pins are in the catches. Both move 5-10mm towards the front of the car as you operate the mechanism. The stop/get stuck as they should start moving in a downwards direction. The inner pin moves through most of its action with the assistance of Mr Screwdriver and Mr Hammer. The outer pin is a bit harder to get an angle on, so I am not so sure.

Regards
Scott

[sniegy]

Scott, I gather you are trying to forward fold one of the 2nd row outer seats.
In your OP it says you are trying with the strap. Have you tried with the lever?
The seat must be latched in the down flattened position for it to fold.

Hope i read this right.

HTH Cheers.

[Sc0tt]

Hey Sniegy

I have been trying all combinations. Strap, lever and reaching under the seat lifting the mechanism itself (that the strap and lever are connected to). The little forks that grasp the pins move 5-10mm and that's it.

I have sprayed some penetrating oil around the pins, trying to get to the catches in case anything is stuck/goopey/corroded.

Cheers
Scott

[Graeme]

Has this seat base ever been raised?

[Sc0tt]

Hi Graeme

Not in the 5 days I have owned the car :D

I can't recall if I flipped that seat during my pre-purchase inspection....

Regards
Scott

[Graeme]

Its seems as though some bolts need loosening to allow proper alignment. It may have been forced into place.

[Sc0tt]

Hi Graeme

Appreciate all the help you have been offering. Do you know if the rear hooks unbolt for this seat? The ones for the middle seat do, but I haven't seen any bolts for the outer seats....

I guess I will have to work on that hard to reach torx bolt and see what happens.

Cheers
Scott

[Graeme]

I could only see 1 bolt for the inner hook so the others must be covered by the insulation. Perhaps best to persist with the front hinge mounts although you do have the other side for comparison.