1999 Chrysler Town and Country Drivers seat adjustment

DANDCP

MEMBER
1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
149,000 MILES

The drivers seat adjustment system just started acting weird. Was working fine.
Now some of the switches or adjustment directions just click. And then some the switch to make the seat lean back makes the whole seat bottom slide back. The switch seems to work ok. I have looked and felt under the seat and some motors work but some just click. There is a control type black box down there too, could it be that? Or the motors? I assume the control box as it seems to be confusing which switch activates what motor, and some motors don't work at all now.

Can that be replaced? Repaired? Maybe from junk yard?

7 Replies

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

The motors cannot be repaired, only replaced. If you can find the motors at the junk yard, sure. Just make sure that they work before you purchase.

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Sunday, March 15th, 2009 AT 11:06 PM

DANDCP

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First off, Thanks Zackman for the great info and quick response. I did the tests and these are the results.

Battery is brand new, and fully charged. I removed the power seat switch and did the tests you mentioned. Voltage between terminal 5 and 1 are good.

It is strange tho. I can't figure it out. From what I can tell of the 4 motors. The forward/backward one works fine. And the rear up/down works fine. Now the recline one when trying to recline back just makes a click sound (comes from the memory module box). On recline up the motor trys to turn but can't, like its frozen maybe?
Also similar is the front up/down motor. trying to go down just clicks like the other and going up, motor trys to move but can't.

The other weird thing is that the rear up/down works but only after the seats moves all the way backward.

I can't see how how 2 motors would just die at the same time like that. So could it be the memory module box?

I am also guessing that is it the memory module as now I am remembering that earlier the drivers side mirror would change to the wrong setting and sometimes seat would move funny on entry, after clickingunlock on keyfab.

Where can I buy a memory module? Just a dealer item? I wonder how much.

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Monday, March 16th, 2009 AT 11:36 PM

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
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After looking at the wiring diagrams, I believe that you may have problem with the memory module and 2 seat motors.

The memory module controls the operations of the driver seat and outside mirrors to preset preference. But the actual driver operations are controlled by the switches and the 4 motors. The circuits do go through the memory module, though. That is probably why you hear the clicks from that black box.

The motors may be found and the wrecking yard, but the memory module is only available through the dealer. I don't have access to dealer price.

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Monday, March 16th, 2009 AT 11:55 PM

DANDCP

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Thanks again.
You maybe right on. I called the dealer and the Memory module is $386! If all it does is remember the seat position I guess I can live with out that. Unless I can get one from a used/junk van somewhere. Or does it need to be a specific one for my van? Can I just plug in any memory module from a T&C van?

So maybe I just need the seat motors so I can adjust the seats manually. OR do I need a functioning memory module as well to make that work properly? I will check my local junk yard first for motors.

Can you tell me how difficult it is to replace those motors? Or how to do it?

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Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 AT 12:07 PM

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
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Just jot down the part number of the memory module. It can be of any TC, as long as it has the same number.

Based on the wiring diagram, you have to have the module for it to work properly.

Can't just replace the motor, you have to replace the entire assembly.