Description & Operation

NOTE: This article applies only to 4-door Explorer and Mountaineer models. For Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac testing procedures, see POWER SEATS - EXPLORER SPORT & EXPLORER SPORT TRAC article.

The 6-way power seats provide horizontal, vertical and tilt adjustments. System consists of a control switch, seat regulator motor, vertical and horizontal screw drives and gear mechanism, housing assembly and necessary wiring. Seat switches are mounted on side of seat trim panel. Pressing front upper button moves front of seat up. Pressing lower front button moves front of seat down. Pressing rear upper button moves rear of seat up. Pressing rear lower button moves rear of seat down. Moving center button forward moves entire seat forward. Moving center button rearward moves entire seat rearward. Moving center button up moves entire seat upward. Moving center button down, moves entire seat downward. Some models are equipped with memory function for driver's seat, allowing for automatic positioning of driver's seat to three programmable positions. Pressing memory button No. 1 moves driver's seat to memory position No. 1. Pressing memory button No. 2 moves driver's seat to memory position No. 2. Pressing memory buttons No. 1 and 2 simultaneously moves driver's seat to memory position No. 3. Some models are equipped with a power lumbar support system. Power lumbar is adjusted firmer by pushing lumbar adjust button forward. Moving lumbar adjust button rearward will soften lumbar support.

Horizontal movement is controlled by a transmission, lead screw and motor attached to the movable section of the track. Vertical drive unit is located on left side of the movable track. Vertical operation energizes center and rear armatures, and vertical drive units move seat up or down. In tilt operation, armatures move front or rear vertical drive screws to adjust seat. Motor unit is serviced as an assembly. Power seat circuits are protected by fuses and/or circuit breakers located in Central Junction Box (CJB) and Battery Junction Box (BJB). On models equipped with side air bags, follow deactivation procedures before diagnosing or servicing seats. See AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS - EXPLORER & MOUNTAINEER article. Air Bag Simulator (418-F088) must be installed under seats in side air bag floor connector, and removed prior to operating vehicle.

Some models are equipped with heated driver and passenger seats. Heated front seats consist of heating elements in seat cushion and backrest, heated seat module, heated seat switch and temperature sensors located in seat heating elements.