Left town with the Odyssey so my wife used the Mini and raised the seat (I'm about a foot taller than she is). Well, it stayed there. It would not go back down no matter how I held my tongue, prayed, abused it, or otherwise. My head was against the ceiling. This had to be fixed.

So, I pulled the seat out (4 T40 torx bolts and 3 clips for the airbags etc) and studied the mechanism. All I could figure was the ratcheting mechanism was broken internally. There is only a piston and an elongated gear that lifts/lowers the seat that is under the seat. There is a ratchet that attaches to the up/down arm and has a gear on one end that engages the up/down elongated gear under the seat. The ratchet is attached with 4 pop rivets on the outside of the seat frame.

The repair: Put the seat in full up position (because the piston will push it there anyway). Took the arm off (2 T25 torx screws) and popped out two clips (front and mid just had to not be afraid and give em a quick pry/pop with my clip removal tool), removed the back holding push clip in order to pull the plastic side cover out of the way (still attached at the top).

Drilled out the four pop rivets. Needed pliers to keep the rivets from spinning. Pulled off the ratchet mechanism. Seat stays on far up position due to the lift piston under the seat.

Went to the Pull-a-part, they had 3 r50/53s on site. Found a 2005 MCS with the top saw-all'd off (WTF) and the seat mechanism worked. Put the seat in full up position so the ratchet mechanism would be in the proper position with my seat at home. Removed the seat and retrieved the ratchet mechanism same as above. $18 for a "seat motor."

Put the new ratchet on my old seat, used my Home Depot rivet gun and riveted the ratchet mechanism back in place. Put the clips back in, attached the arm and voila. Seat goes up and down like butta!

Driving position restored! Happy motoring.

 

Ya gotta love a happy ending!