Z3 Seat Totally Stuck - Advice on Removal - Help!!

[JBT68]

My 1997 1.9 Passenger seat motor is dead. I’ve removed it and can drive spindle for right side (The seat moves on rail).

The left side (by door) is totally stuck. I suspect it’s corroded. I’ve drowned it in WD40/knocked with hammer etc

It will not move at all. What do I do now? It’s set far back so I cannot get to floor nuts.

I have to get seat out as I have the seatbelt pre tensioner light and it won’t pass the MOT.
(I’ve tried reset with tool but keeps coming back)

 

[FLZ_Boy]

Have you checked the fuse?

 

[JBT68]

Yes thanks. I’ve since bought a cheap endoscope and seen the rails are rusted. Will try some rust remover and scraping gunge out!!

 

[FLZ_Boy]

Best of luck of trying to get it unstuck. I had a fuse blow trying to get a seat to move (I didn't quite shave off enough of the new plastic inserts and it binded).

 

[MickyG]

My 1997 1.9 Passenger seat motor is dead. I’ve removed it and can drive spindle for right side (The seat moves on rail).

The left side (by door) is totally stuck. I suspect it’s corroded. I’ve drowned it in WD40/knocked with hammer etc

It will not move at all. What do I do now? It’s set far back so I cannot get to floor nuts.

I have to get seat out as I have the seatbelt pre tensioner light and it won’t pass the MOT.
(I’ve tried reset with tool but keeps coming back)

Is it the motor or the drive mechanism in the seat rail?
If it is the motor that is stuck, it is possible to use the flex drive cable and attach to a drill to move the seat forward.

If it is the worm drive shaft inside the runner you will have to remove the seat. If you raise the seat height to its maximum you may be able to gain access to the rear bolts.
If you can remove the seat, I have a working seat worm drive mechanism you can have to replace your seized item.

where are you based?

incidentally, there is a technique to withdraw the worm drive mechanism once you have undone the bolts that secure it to the runners: you have to lower it at an angle as you withdraw it, otherwise it will not come out freely.

 

[JBT68]

Many Thanks for this info. Photos are really useful. I’ve got camera in there and it looks corroded. Going to try some rust dissolver and see if that frees it enough to get seat forward and then access bolts. Once off I will probably buy those bits off you! Thanks again