Power Seat Switch Replacement Cost Estimate

To check for a bad power seat switch, a technician will first make sure that a fuse has not blown. A blown fuse can be either the cause of an inoperative power seat or a symptom. If all of the seat functions stop working at the same time, it is unlikely to be caused by a bad switch. If the seat will not move along one axis when a switch is pressed, but works in all other directions, the technician will use a diagnostic meter to check for power to the switch. If voltage is present at the switch, the technician will test the switch for continuity - whether or not it is capable of transmitting electrical current when operated - and possibly bypass the switch to make sure the seat motors are operational. If the switch has power but will not operate, the switch is likely to be defective. In some cases, the problem might originate in the seat control module or in the Body Control Module. In these cases, the technician will look for a diagnostic trouble code (a fault code) that can be read with a scan tool.

Once a power seat switch is found to be the cause of a seat malfunction, a technician will disconnect power to the seat (or disconnect the battery) and carefully remove any interior trim around the switch assembly. The power seat switches are most often located on the side of the seat body, but may also be found in another location, such as the door trim panel. With the trim removed, the switch assembly is unplugged from the wiring harness, the switch detached from its housing and replaced with the new switch before reassembly. In most cases, all of the power seat switches are contained in a single assembly that needs to be replaced as a unit, rather than individual switches.

Proper seat alignment is important for safe operation of a vehicle. While a faulty power seat switch does not present an immediate danger, it does affect vehicle safety. It is recommended that a faulty switch be replaced as soon as possible.