Seat Recliner Motor: Removal

WARNING: Never probe the electrical connectors on air bag, Safety Canopy® or side air curtain modules. Failure to follow this instruction may result in the accidental deployment of these modules, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death.

WARNING: Never disassemble or tamper with safety belt buckle/retractor pretensioners, adaptive load limiting retractors, safety belt inflators, or probe the electrical connectors. Failure to follow this instruction may result in the accidental deployment of the safety belt pretensioners, adaptive load limiting retractors, or safety belt inflators, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death.

NOTE: The air bag warning indicator illuminates when the correct Restraints Control Module (RCM) fuse is removed and the ignition is ON.

NOTE: The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

NOTE: For component identification and locations, refer to SEAT - EXPLODED VIEW, FRONT .

Remove the seat backrest. For additional information, refer to SEAT BACKREST - FRONT .

NOTE: For retainer clarity, inside of backrest panel shown in the illustration.

Remove the backrest panel.
1. Pull out at the bottom on each side, quickly and firmly, releasing the retainers.
2. Pivot the bottom of the backrest panel out as far as it will go and slide the backrest panel down, disengaging the upper hooks.
  - Remove the backrest panel.
    
    Fig 1: Identifying Backrest Panel Retainers And Upper Hooks
    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Release the 2 J-clips from the backrest wires and remove the carpet flap toe-kick.

NOTE: Outboard shown in the illustration, inboard similar.

Release the backrest trim cover hook-and-loop strips and J-clip attached to the recliner.
- Repeat for the other side.
  
  Fig 2: Locating Backrest Trim Cover Hook-And-Loop Strips And J-Clip Attached At Recliner
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disengage the backrest trim cover J-clip attached to the backrest frame wire at the top.
Remove the backrest Thermo-Electric Device (TED).
1. Disconnect the electrical connector and separate the pin-type retainer from the backrest frame.
2. Disengage the backrest TED from the backrest foam pad wire.
3. Disengage the backrest TED from the backrest frame wire and remove the backrest TED.
  
  Fig 3: Identifying Backrest Thermo-Electric Device Electrical Connector, Backrest Foam Pad Wire And Backrest Frame Wire
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Release all the backrest trim cover J-clips attached to the backrest frame.
Push the backrest foam pad and backrest trim cover away from the backrest frame.
Remove the E-clip on the recliner shaft and the recline motor bolt.

Fig 4: Locating E-Clip On Recliner Shaft And Recline Motor Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Release the 2 clips (1 shown in the illustration) and slide the sleeve back on the recliner shaft.

Fig 5: Locating Sleeve Clip
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the power recline motor.
1. Slide the recliner shaft assembly out of the recliner and remove the short recliner shaft.
2. Remove the sleeve from the long recliner shaft.
3. Slide the long recliner shaft out of the recline motor.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector and remove the power recline motor.
  - If necessary, remove the long recliner shaft from the recliner.
    
    Fig 6: Identifying Recliner Shaft Assembly, Sleeve, Long Recliner Shaft And Power Recline Motor
    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.