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<<<UPDATE---FIXED>>> 1970 Eldorado Power Seat Just Clicks

Started by 76eldo, November 12, 2017, 10:18:03 AM

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76eldo

I just purchased a 1970 Eldorado with front buckets and a console.  The driver's front seat is pretty far up and when I hit the buttons for any direction it just clicks.  So I assume that is the relay clicking?  Seat has been in the same position for a long time so the motor may be stuck?

Thanks,

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

TJ Hopland

Im not positive about 70 but typically 2 things happen when you hit a seat switch.   Part one is a solenoid in the transmission selects the proper gear.   Part two is a relay starts the motor in the proper direction.   You are likely hearing the transmission engage but not getting any motor. 

If its like later years its a odd setup like the 71-76 tops where the field runs direct but the armature is in the relay so it will run with partial power till it burns up.  I may have it backwards, how ever it is its split up.   Its not like a window motor. 
StPaul/Mpls, MN USA

73 Eldo convert w/FiTech EFI
80 Eldo Diesel
90 CDV
And other assorted stuff I keep buying for some reason

1976Deville

#2
I cleaned and fixed the seat on my Cadillac

http://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t52070477/restoring-a-60s-vintage-gm-6-way-power-seat-unit/

I used Super Lupe Silicon grease . Must be for Plastic and Metal

cadillacmike68

I need to clean mine out. It does every direction except forward fairly well. Forward - well, I have to help it.
Regards,
"Cadillac" Mike

TJ Hopland

The lubricants are not very slippery anymore especially exposed stuff like the forward and back tracks. 

Usually if its a lube issue you will get slight movement before it binds.   A clue to if the motor is trying to run is look for the interior lights to dim slightly.   
StPaul/Mpls, MN USA

73 Eldo convert w/FiTech EFI
80 Eldo Diesel
90 CDV
And other assorted stuff I keep buying for some reason

76eldo

Thanks for the responses.  I think the click, which is more like a clunk would be the trans solenoid.  Is there a relay for the motor that could be bad? 

Thanks,

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373

#6
Mine just clicks unless the car is running. I think it is because battery voltage isn't enough to overcome the resistance in the circuit. When the alternator is online there is a little more voltage. My guess is that I have corroded connections. Need to clean them but I never move the seat so it isnt a problem. It is on my "I will get to it someday" list.
Jeff
Jeff Rosansky
CLC #28373
1970 Coupe DeVille (Big Red)
1955 Series 62 (Baby Blue)
Dad's new 1979 Coupe DeVille

TJ Hopland

There is likely a relay.    Its likely an odd setup.   The motor has a ground that is tied through a thermal switch to one brush and both field windings.   The other brush is tied to the relay contact.    Each of the other end of the field windings goes to the relay coil.  The control switch also goes to the relay coil.   Switch selects forward its sending + to both one side of coil and one field of the motor.  The other field has its other end grounded so to a small load like a relay its going to look like a ground so the relay will engage.   Switch selects reverse and it sends power to the other field so the first one is ground so relay again pulls in.   
StPaul/Mpls, MN USA

73 Eldo convert w/FiTech EFI
80 Eldo Diesel
90 CDV
And other assorted stuff I keep buying for some reason

76eldo

It's almost 11 months later and the front driver's bucket seat is fixed!!

My steadfast and intrepid Cadillac buddy Joe Caristo dug into this situation this afternoon and we simply replaced the relay with a new one from Hydro Electric and the seat works perfectly.  No burned out or stuck motor, no hard grease in the tracks, just a bad relay.

We got to drive this 15,000 mile masterpiece tonight and I could finally sit back and enjoy driving the car.

Old Car friends are the BEST friends.  Thank you Joe!

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

Cape Cod Fleetwood

Quote from: 76eldo on October 05, 2018, 08:43:04 PM
It's almost 11 months later and the front driver's bucket seat is fixed!!

My steadfast and intrepid Cadillac buddy Joe Caristo dug into this situation this afternoon and we simply replaced the relay with a new one from Hydro Electric and the seat works perfectly.  No burned out or stuck motor, no hard grease in the tracks, just a bad relay.

We got to drive this 15,000 mile masterpiece tonight and I could finally sit back and enjoy driving the car.

Old Car friends are the BEST friends.  Thank you Joe!

Brian

YAY!  8)

\m/
Laurie
There are 2 kinds of cars in the world, Cadillac and everything else....

The Present -1970 Fleetwood Brougham

The Past -
1996 Deville Concours
1987 Sedan De Ville "Commonwealth Edition"
1981 Coupe De Ville (8-6-4)
1976 Sedan De Ville
1975 Sedan De Ville

The Daily Driver and work slave -
2008 GMC Acadia SLT *options/all

joecaristo

Joe Caristo

Dan LeBlanc

I had to do the same thing on the Brougham last month.  It was the relay also (after I took the seat motor and seat transmission apart thinking they were bad).  I substituted a $5 blower motor relay, and, since the parts were cheap, I did the passenger side as well for cheap insurance.
Dan LeBlanc
1977 Lincoln Continental Town Car