Passenger Seat Back Will Not Lock Into Upright Position
#26
AND you got an aerobic work out at the same time. What... 300 calories? We should sell old seats on late night infomercials as the latest cool work out thing.
The passenger seat in my 04 Cooper S was stuck in the full recline position. After trying to repair the problem by carefully examining and comparing both of the car seats for over an hour, I tried gentle force with no luck. I downloaded a worthless schematic from BMW, gave up and decided to check the Mini forum. Many post reported success with forcing the seat back. Now I don't consider myself a mechanic, however I work with a wide variety mechanical and electrical equipment and have performed many repairs. In my experience the brute force method usually results in more damage. Without any other options I decided to try the brute force method. First I slid the seat forward and tried slamming my back several times into the seat with no luck. I then turn sideways and slammed my shoulder into the seat, still no luck. I then got on my knees facing the seat back, with my head above the head rest and slammed my chest into the reclined seat and that worked. I glad it worked, but the whole experience was strange.
#27
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Thank god for this site as it has answered a ton of questions and helped put our minds at ease about these cars.
We owned our MCS for one week before the passenger seat got stuck with a 2k roadtrip a few days away. The BMW synchronization method did not work so i body slammed it into an upright position. It won't adjust, but at least it is tolerable. Probably going to buy the seatframe assembly when we get a chance.
M
We owned our MCS for one week before the passenger seat got stuck with a 2k roadtrip a few days away. The BMW synchronization method did not work so i body slammed it into an upright position. It won't adjust, but at least it is tolerable. Probably going to buy the seatframe assembly when we get a chance.
M
#28
This thread helped me too! My 05 MCS driver seat would not adjust anymore when using the inboard lever, in fact the lever didn't move either. The outboar lever still worked so I tried the BMW solution but the seat would not recline fully. So I decided on the more violent solution of pulling the inboard lever while slamming the seat and it eventually worked. You really have to smash it beyond the normal comfort level for dealing with plastic pieces so don't be afraid to smash it well!
The car was suddenly like this when I got it back from the detailer, and I was pretty stressed about having to go back and ask him wth happened to my seat! Thanks to NAM I avoided an uncomfortable situation lol.
Ciao!
Mike
The car was suddenly like this when I got it back from the detailer, and I was pretty stressed about having to go back and ask him wth happened to my seat! Thanks to NAM I avoided an uncomfortable situation lol.
Ciao!
Mike
Last edited by HollyStarfighter; 08-12-2010 at 06:02 PM.
#29
Warning.
Slammers may not be right for you as a treatment for FRS (Full Recline Syndrome).. Please check with your doctor. Serious side effects may occur... Including; high blood preasure, speaking Klingon, smelling lemons, growing blue hair, thoughts of pushing a shopping cart the rest of your life, playing for the New York Rangers (SUCK!) and other retarded things may occur.
#30
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Finally got around to permanently addressing the seat recline issue. We were this>< close to buying an OEM seatframe when I found an exact matching seat on the local classifieds! $80.00 later and i was on my way home with a seat in much better cosmetic condition than mine.
After a little TLC it was ready to install (so i thought)
001-22.jpg?t=1282534087
002-17.jpg?t=1282534129
I bolted it in and then realized one of the connectors were different, so i pulled it back out. The plug was actually for the seatbelt pre-tensioner and was easy to swap out. Yeah!
001-23.jpg?t=1282534210
002-18.jpg?t=1282534300
Cleaned, swapped out and all done. best part, no malfunction lights
004-17.jpg?t=1282534370
still love this car
After a little TLC it was ready to install (so i thought)
001-22.jpg?t=1282534087
002-17.jpg?t=1282534129
I bolted it in and then realized one of the connectors were different, so i pulled it back out. The plug was actually for the seatbelt pre-tensioner and was easy to swap out. Yeah!
001-23.jpg?t=1282534210
002-18.jpg?t=1282534300
Cleaned, swapped out and all done. best part, no malfunction lights
004-17.jpg?t=1282534370
still love this car
#31
Love these tips!!!
I transported a couple statues with the front seat fully reclined. After that, the seat back didn't catch in any upright position....just flopped full forward or fell backwards. I read all the above tips and we tried them all. What worked for us was to remove the back seat cushions (just pull up on the front and then forward and up to get the back part off.) so we could have the space for the seat to recline a little further down. Then we pumped up (raised) the seat bottom up as high as it would go. With the back in the fully and more reclining position, laying on it, we pulled up on the center reclining lever and POP 'it' went into position and everything worked. Of course, we tried all the body slamming described above first. The key for our problem was to get the seat to recline down so far.
#33
I had the problem on a 2004 Cooper. No amount of slamming or brute force worked. Eventually bought a frame from a scrapyard and while 'recovering' it my son found the solution. Remove the plastic side covers and unbolt the backrest. Put the backrest on a level surface and you will notice the 2 mounting plates are at different angles on the ground. Stand on the one that is not level. This pushes it back parallel with the other side and the problem is solved. This is in essence what you are doing when slamming it in the car, but far more elegant.
#34
BOTH seat frames have broken!
Hi Everyone,
i'm very curious about the end result of these "brute force" recommendations. about a year ago, my passenger seat was stuck in the reclined position after I had driven w/ my snowboard in it. I used the "brute method" to get it back to a sitting position. I heard the "crack" - and it went up - but it has never been adjustable since then, and there is a "rock" in it when it is upright. I had a minor accident recently - (rear-ended a truck) and the passenger seat flew forward in the collision (no one in it).
Yesterday, I reclined my drivers seat to pull my board out of the back (will i learn!?!?) and my drivers seat stuck in the reclined position. Being as I had 400 miles to drive, I did the "brute force" again, and CRACK - my seat went upright. this seat now has that same "play" in it, and will not adjust to other positions.
I am not sure if you all have truly "fixed" your seats, or just adjusted the broken frames to a more comfortable position. I too have been quoted approx $500 to replace the frame - and now appear to have doubled the cost. :( :( Has MINI had any answer for this? Seat frames should NOT break so easily ... and if this "brute force" is only adjusting to a comfortable position - it seems to be a safety hazard should a collision occur!
Any insight into good places to buy used seats? I'm thinking I may as well get a new pair at this point!
i'm very curious about the end result of these "brute force" recommendations. about a year ago, my passenger seat was stuck in the reclined position after I had driven w/ my snowboard in it. I used the "brute method" to get it back to a sitting position. I heard the "crack" - and it went up - but it has never been adjustable since then, and there is a "rock" in it when it is upright. I had a minor accident recently - (rear-ended a truck) and the passenger seat flew forward in the collision (no one in it).
Yesterday, I reclined my drivers seat to pull my board out of the back (will i learn!?!?) and my drivers seat stuck in the reclined position. Being as I had 400 miles to drive, I did the "brute force" again, and CRACK - my seat went upright. this seat now has that same "play" in it, and will not adjust to other positions.
I am not sure if you all have truly "fixed" your seats, or just adjusted the broken frames to a more comfortable position. I too have been quoted approx $500 to replace the frame - and now appear to have doubled the cost. :( :( Has MINI had any answer for this? Seat frames should NOT break so easily ... and if this "brute force" is only adjusting to a comfortable position - it seems to be a safety hazard should a collision occur!
Any insight into good places to buy used seats? I'm thinking I may as well get a new pair at this point!
#36
stuck in recline position!!!
my son put the seat in the recline position on the way home from the dealership(4 hour drive) in the 2003 cooper I just bought. It stayed there the rest of the way home. My husband and I spent a couple of hours trying to figure it out yesterday, even trying to take the seat apart without any damage. I woke up this morning thinking I should look it up on the internet, lo and behold I found this forum, thank God!!! Went out put the seat forward then reclined held the lever and bounced a couple of times and presto! The seat works great!!! I didn't hear any popping and I only weigh 120, but it still worked like a charm, THANK YOU!!!
#39
what can I say? Brute force really works!
I listened to all the posts: I pulled the outside lever up & slid the seat forward, then I slid the seat back. I then held the inside lever up while, pushing the backrest fully reclined. I then sat my rump about mid back rest lifted up, gave a good bump, and I heard that god awful popping sound everyone speaks of.....it REALLY DOES sound like you've broken your seat (and the look on my husband's face was priceles )...but fear not, MINI owner, for you have just saved yourself a trip to the dealership & a crap-ton of money!
#40
[QUOTE=thatguy;2101080]try putting your weight on the backrest and bouncing one or two good hard times while operating the lever(raise/ lower seat) with each bounce.
it will pop as if it is breaking(one loud click) and the spring mechanism should be reset.
THANK YOU!
I've been trying to figure this out for a few weeks now, and once I read your advice, it worked on the first try. Lifesaver
it will pop as if it is breaking(one loud click) and the spring mechanism should be reset.
THANK YOU!
I've been trying to figure this out for a few weeks now, and once I read your advice, it worked on the first try. Lifesaver
#41
Thank you!
Hey all...
Being the victim of FRS (full recline syndrome) myself, what I did was put the seat in full recline, pull the center lever all the way up and sit up then slam my shoulder into it to wham it all the way down as far as it could go. I heard a loud CLICK then let it up slow the with me air pumping the lever, it would then snap into a lock position.
I don't know what the hell it did, but after 5 mins of sit ups I got cranky and wailed it. What do you know... it fixed it.
-Me.
Being the victim of FRS (full recline syndrome) myself, what I did was put the seat in full recline, pull the center lever all the way up and sit up then slam my shoulder into it to wham it all the way down as far as it could go. I heard a loud CLICK then let it up slow the with me air pumping the lever, it would then snap into a lock position.
I don't know what the hell it did, but after 5 mins of sit ups I got cranky and wailed it. What do you know... it fixed it.
-Me.
#42
#43
Full Recline Syndrome
hello. Were you able to find a solution to your car seat problem? my bmw e36 drivee seat is also stuck in full recline position. What did you end up doing to fix the issue?
#44
My DRIVER SEAT will not lock
[QUOTE=Eric_Rowland;2101011]Does it not recline or not lock?
I just purchased an 08 mini s convertible for my daughter and the next day, while cleaning it, I used the top latch to move the seat forward, to clean the back. Everything was fine until I tried putting it back into position. The top of the seat will only go back a bit and will not go into a reclined position. To drive the car we have to slide in and remain close to the steering wheel. Any suggestions?
I just purchased an 08 mini s convertible for my daughter and the next day, while cleaning it, I used the top latch to move the seat forward, to clean the back. Everything was fine until I tried putting it back into position. The top of the seat will only go back a bit and will not go into a reclined position. To drive the car we have to slide in and remain close to the steering wheel. Any suggestions?
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