I've searched for this and have found some answers but none have worked. My passenger side seat is fully reclined. It will tilt forward with the outside lever, but reclines almost to the point of hitting the rear seat when pulled back. I've tried the "factory solution" of leaning back with the inside lever up to re-syncronize the mechanism. I've also tried what others have suggested which is slamming the seat back. I've used a lot of force (I weigh 200#) short of standing on the seat back, and nothing has worked. Does anyone know how to access the mechanism. I've removed the seat back and it's not clear. The bentley manual is no help. Is this even repairable?


Never mind. After tying to figure out how to take the seat mechanism apart, I had my wife hold the inside lever up and I slammed the seat back as hard as I could. On the third try, I heard a little "pop". Now it works.

 

I can't seem to find the MINI bulletin on this, but there once upon a time was a web site called R5311.com that described "front seat backrest inoperative." It basically the inboard and out board backrest latch mechanisms were out of sync...

#1 from the outside of the car push down on the "press" level and slide the seat to its' full-forward position. This is the "home" position for the seat and the inboard and out board seat mechanisms.

#2 While seating on the opposite seat (the one not being worked on) push the backrest to the complete reclined position while pulling up on the inboard level.

#3 Keep pulling the inboard level upward while pushing back and reclining the backrest, until the backrest is fully reclined/reached. Verify the backrest operation by pullin g the inboard level up. Once the level is released , the backrest should hold the desired postion.

If the backrest cannot be synchronized using this procedure, the backrest frame may hve to be replaced...

HOPE THIS HELPS... MINE ARE A PAIN. But this seems to work if I'm not in a hurry.

 

Can you please explain in more detail ? I can't understand how to do it

 

Opps, Sorry it must have been late when I wrote this...

Standing outside the car slide the inoperative seat to the full forward/easy entry position. You do this by pushing down on the outboard seat back-rest level marked "press."
The seat will now fully forward and the backrest folded toward the dash.

This fully forward /easy entry is the "home" position for the inboard and outboard backrest mechanisms. (the levels on both sides of the seat backrests).

While sitting on the opposite seat (the one which is not being worked on) push the backrest to the completely reclined position while pulling upward on the inboard seat level (the one next to the parking brake level).

Keep pulling the inboard level up while pushing the backrest and release the level once the completely reclined position is reached.

Verify the backrest operation by pulling the inboard level up and allowing/setting the seat in the desired position. Once the level is released the backrest should stay in the desired position...

My seats ( 03 MCS) sometimes stick, but this seems to solve the problem. I wouldn't force them anywhere...$$$$$

 

Well my problem is that the backrest goes down but the seat does not slide on the rails to the max front. It's just stuck in the position. Will this fix my problem ?

PS. Thanks for the help

 

Any help please ?

 

Tilt the seat forward and look underneath. You'll see a black cable that comes out from the seat back and attaches the the seat track mechanism. (mechanical cable, not electrical). When the lever is pulled up, it should pull this cable and release the seat so it slides forward. If it doesn't, it needs adjustment.

 

I will try it thx! If it needs adjustment where do i do it ?

 

Found the cable in the right side of the seat. Pulled it and nothing happen. How does it work exactly ?

 

It's like a brake cable on a bike. There is an internal cable that slides through the black housing. When you push the seat release lever down, it pulls on the internal cable which then pulls on the seat release under the seat. I'm not sure, but there may be an adjustment where the cable enters under the seat. It looks like a tube (about a half inch diameter) with a spring in it. the end that the cable enters may screw in and out to adjust the cable tension. If the seat isn't releasing, screw the adjuster "out" to tighten the cable.

good luck.

 

Yea found that thing too I will try thanks for the help!!

 

The problem with mine is that the drivers seat back will not adjust at all. It will tilt forward to access the rear seat but has no adjustment. The release/adjustment handle can be pressed to climb into the back seat but will not budge up to adjust the level of recline/incline for the backrest. The seat backrest also has nearly 2" of free travel like something is loose. Anyone have any ideas on my problem?