http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/12202.page Public Action http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1106416 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1106416 GMT
I once had my front seats stolen from my 1988 Jetta GLI 16v. They had the name Recaro on them (very comfy) and were $4500 to replace due the many parts needed(15/seat). It nearly totaled the car.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1104221 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1104221 GMT That is an EXCELLENT idea. Just have to find one...they are very scarce these days. When I lived in the Syracuse area there was this GREAT electric shop in the Solvay NY (Ramsey (? on spelling) Electric. They could rebuild ANYTHING electric...ESPECIALLY MOTORS. I've yet to find a place like that here in NE.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1104639 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1104639 GMT
The newer motors might be hard to disassemble. The ones I have seen have rolled ends on the cases and would take some patience and skill to liberate the internals and then to put it back together. But nothing is impossible if you have enough determination...]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1104422 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1104422 GMT What about removing the seat and paying a visit to a local electric motor rewind shop? These shops often have books with motor cross-references and in the event they can't make a match then it's possible they could easily rebuild your currently bad motor.

A life long friend of mine works in/manages an elec. motor shop and he rebuilds/rewinds everything from portable drill motors to 880 volt industrial motors.
There's really not much of a limit on what can be done with a bad motor short of one suffering a catastrophic explosion and even that would be a freak occurrence.
]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1103011 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1103011 GMT passenger's seat adjustable? Why can't you use the entire passenger's seat, or (if it's powered), use its motor in the driver's position? Put the driver's seat in the passenger's position.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1102423 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1102423 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1102052 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1102052 GMT
Back in 88 I had to replace the carburetor on my 84 S-15. The replacement cost was $1100. I only paid $12,000 for the truck new. I ended up buying a carb from a salvage yard and a rebuild kit....total cost was $100.

The seat motor is probably only a dealer item only. They SHOULD last the life of the car. My wifes 2 accords had power seats and they all lasted years and years and years with each vehicle reaching well over 200k miles.

Second this part probably doesn't break that much so no aftermarket company is going to make one since there would be very limited sales.

I think you have 4 possible options.

1. Pay the dealer the $2k.
2. Find one at a salvage yard. If the covering doesn't match you might be able to swap it out with your current seat.
3. Replace the seat with a MANUAL seat. Not sure if this is possible on this model..but it may work. Again if the covering doesn't match then replace with current seat covering.
4. Do a google search. Maybe e-bay. I've been able to find Lexus parts much cheaper on-line then at my local dealer. However a seat may not be. Especially because of the weight and shipping.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1100411 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1100411 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1100237 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1100237 GMT
First, I would try to fix the seat. I'd be sure it was the motor before going any further. If I couldn't fix the motor, I'd move on to the next step-

While trying to locate a replacement part, I would disassemble the motor from the seat frame and position it into the comfortable spot for me and then re-install the motor. This will essentially lock the seat into that position.

Next, check with a local salvage yard to see if they have any type of interchange manual. This will help you to determine which model years have the same seat motor and hopefully, expand the number of "donor" cars that will work. Some salvage yards are tied into a system connecting many of them together and they can put out a request for your part if they do not have one.

If I could not find a replacement part, I would look for a seat with the same bolt pattern and swap out the seat.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1100227 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1100227 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1100018 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1100018 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1099813 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1099813 GMT
I also did a web search and came up with a possible fix. The author took the motor out and pried it open. It had a dark ring on the windings. he cleaned it off, reassembled the motor and it worked. The carbon brushes wore off and contact was no longer made. It *might* (or might not) work for you. But all it took was a little time and the other guy was back in business.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1100435 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1100435 GMT www.car-part.com]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098829 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098829 GMT
Pweber, you'll just need to enter the year, make, and model of your car and what you're looking for, and then check your email. It's really pretty simple.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1100235 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1100235 GMT Phil*]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098832 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098832 GMT
I've never given more than $100 for a complete power seat without its own self contained side airbag. Those with airbags can get expensive. Does yours have them in the seat? ]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098828 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098828 GMT http://cgi...221890608&

If not, your best bet is what I suggested earlier. Hit a reputable salvage yard up and if they don't have one ask them if they can locate one with their parts locator which often ties them to a thousand or so salvage yards.
The yards generally use a Hollander Interchange which will tell them immediately what seat fits what years, etc. and chances are it would be a far sight cheaper than 2 grand.

(And I would not even mention to any salvage yard just how pricy that seat and/or motor is. No sense in throwing fuel on the fire!)]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098649 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098649 GMT Contact your local salvage yard, (Yellow Pages) and have them put the request out on the wire. They'll have it shipped in to them and ready for your pickup.

Benzman]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098647 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098647 GMT
Try that and let us know what you find. If you can't find anything, then I'm sure someone here has a good online site they use for finding used car parts.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098646 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098646 GMT and how to tell them what part you needed so that you get the correct one
Thanks
Phil*]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098638 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098638 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098613 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098613 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098652 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098652 GMT this is >10% of the cost of the car!!!

Toyota dealer this is the only option they did not have a 500.00 If they did we would not be having this char

The other shop can't find a working motor any suggestions

]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098640 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098640 GMT
The questions I asked you were to try to diagnose the problem and, hopefully, come to a more acceptable solution. The dealers are always going to charge more for service and they usually shoot for giving the car back to you in a "like new" condition, regardless of cost. We, on this board, often do our own work and do not have the access too (or cash for) all the parts to make things like new so make compromises. ]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098612 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098612 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098418 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098418 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098224 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098224 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1108421 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1108421 GMT
Agree with the rest of what you said.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098642 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098642 GMT 2. It's not any more of a big problem than having any other major part of the car fail. It sucks to have to eat a 2 grand repair bill...believe me, I know. But if it doesn't fail in a significant number of cars, it doesn't qualify for a recall any more than 1 transmission failing out of 1,000,000.
3. You can't permanently lock the seat in a "good" position, because that is a safety issue in and of itself. I don't think it would even pass inspection.]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098626 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098626 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098419 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098419 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098416 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098416 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098412 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098412 GMT
1. This is a seat with a basic motor (100 dollars at most)
2. This is a big safety problem what would happen it was the driver seat
a. Make the car undividable
b. It would place the driver too close to airbags

3. Why can’t anyone tell me how to “lock” the seat a good position and avoid 2000.000 for a seat motor?

]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098222 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1098222 GMT I have no idea what the dealer cost on this seat is but I would safely bet it's far more than 500 bucks.

As to the diagnosis you're talking about an electrical item. It takes time to trace electrics and make a diagnosis. Mechanics in the shop work on the flat rate "paid for what you do" system; just like all others.
If diagnosis time is not charged the shop will be shut down and everyone in there will be unemployed. At that point there will be no one to diagnose anything for anybody.

As to buying a seat assembly there is probably a reason for that also. In many cases, and not just with Toyota, many parts are simply not available to the dealer. The entire seat assembly may be the only way that Toyota will even provide the seat to the dealer and Toyota will not provide a smaller repair part.

It's overpriced, a total crock I agree, but don't blame the dealer for all of this. The best bet is to hit the salvage yards or possibly even eBay.
If a local yard does not have this particular seat ask if they could locate one with their parts locator service. Many yards are on systems like Eden and may be able to source a 1000 different salvage yards.
JMHO, and hope it helps anyway.
]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1090827 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1090827 GMT
You still haven't given us any information to work with. All I can say with what you have given is that after 5 years the dealership probably doesn't have any liability.

How is the situation dangerous?
Why was the seat in a dangerous position to begin with?
What happened prior to the problem?
What exactly is the problem? Some details would be nice, not just that the seat is bad.
and this question is not a knock on you in any way, but as it has to do with a seat...
What is your body type?

]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1090825 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1090825 GMT
2003 Camry
power seats

The deal charge me 90 dollars to "diagnosis" of the 2000 dollar part!!]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1090820 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1090820 GMT http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1090817 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1090817 GMT the Shop down the street can't find any parts (OEM or 3rd party)

This is should be a recall... at very lest

this is very dangerous!!
that the owner of the car can't manual set the seat in a safe position
But that it locks when the motor fails in a unsafe and unusable positions
This way Toyta can steal 2G from the poor owner !!]]> http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1090814 http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1028209.page#1090814 GMT