Today my dad called me at work to inform me that the drivers seat was stuck all the way back. After he picked me up from work, we stopped somewhere, and I took over driving. When I got in the car, I tried moving the seat forward, and to my surprise, it moved. I sat down and hit one of the seat memory buttons, and the seat moved forward, but when I opened the door, the seat moved back and refused to move again.

This is the first time this has happened in 3 years (it has happened like 2-3 times since we got the car in 06, so it doesn't exactly happen very often), and each time it has more or less fixed itself after a couple days. I know there is a TSB out for this issue, but the Infiniti dealer is closed right now, plus I'm sure I'd be charged at least $300 to have the work described in the TSB done. Is there a simple fix I can do or am I stuck (in more ways than one) until the seat decides it wants to work again?

 

That happens to a fair number of Maximas as well. People will tap on the seat motor and many times it will work for a while, but eventually the brushes in the motor won't make contact anymore.

I looked up the service bulletin and it is bulletin number ITB00-067c dated 12/21/2004. It essentially says to replace the motor and references part # 87562-C9926, Seat Slide Motor Kit, MSRP $357.65.

If you are a do-it-yourself guy, you can get the motor for about $269 + shipping.
http://www.infinitipartsdeal.com/par...562-c9926.html
http://www.courtesyparts.com/motor-dri-p-469733.html

 

D'oh!

I can't say I wasn't expecting to to be something like this, but damn. You think I've got any life left in the motor, based on what I've described?

 

I think you have a chance at fixing the motor on this one. It seems that the motors have a problem with the brushes sticking, which then makes the motor not work. Tapping on the end of the motor with something will tend to vibrate the brushes into working position. Since your seat tends to work on and off, that makes me think you can fix it.

The part number from the service bulletin is a kit, which includes the motor and gear drive. You probably don't need the gear drive pieces. You may be able to take the motor apart and clean up the brush pieces. I seem to recall someone in the 5th generation Maxima doing this and taking photos as they did it. So maybe a search will bring it up for you.

Taking the seat out is a bit of a pain. The seat has to be forward in order to get the rear seat bolts out. If it is stuck all the way back........

The service bulletin has directions on how to take the seat mechanism off. I don't have any link to the Infiniti service bulletin, but here is a link to the Maxima service bulletin, which is the same thing.
http://maxima.theowensfamily.com/tsb/NTB02-001d.pdf

I can e-mail you the Infiniti service bulletin if you would prefer that, but you will have to pm me your e-mail address.

 

I's cool, I have an Alldata DIY subscription, I know what the bulletin is. Its a question of time and money. I tapped the motor with a screwdriver I keep in the car and it started working again, though I don't know how long that will last.

 

Tapping the motor with the screwdriver will probably work for a long time. Since the seat motors don't get used a lot, I doubt that the brushes are worn out, just sticking.

It sounds like you have all the info you need, so it's just a case of when you cant get to it.

Good luck.

 

So any help would be greatly appreciate here. I've been reading all the posts and have some idea but sure wanna make sure I understand this correctly. My driver seat is stuck all the way back, over the bolts so I can't remove the seat itself. It reclines and all that, but it won't move forward, It only moves on the left side, not the right. It's like the right side is stuck and won't move. I tried tapping on the motor, but to be fair I can barely get to it since I can't remove the seat. I looked and don't see anything in the rail. I took it to the dealer here in Portland, OR and the f'ing dude just called and said it was going to be $1,800 for a "lower seat adjuster". Nothing about the motor, nothing about any bushing or grommet, nothing about the rail. They're not sure what the issue is so replacing the entire f'ing thing is the only thing they can do. How can I get to the bolts if the seat stuck all the way back and covering them? Thanks you guys!!