I have power seats on my 86 and it will go backwards and not forwards, is there any way to get it to go forward until I can get whatever part I need.

 

with the power switch indicating forward pull the seat with your hands--should move even with worn out parts

 

Even if the switch is bad.

 

I have the reverse problem, mine won't go backwards...

Through help from 65Z01 here, he emailed me the wiring diagram for the motor which let me prove that the motor was ok by applying power to the correct wire. Unfortunately I'm not sure that the wiring on an 88 is the same as yours, I know it was different from my 85.

One thing I did do after finding that the motor was okay, I sprayed the console switch with contact cleaner. This allowed the switch to work for a while, it has since failed again, but more persistent cleaning may do the trick. You could even try this without testing the motor, but if it doesn't work, you won't have proved anything.

Contact cleaner is available at Radio Shack as well as auto stores (CRC is a good brand). Just be careful that you don't buy the real strong stuff that will melt plastic (I'm not sure they even sell that anymore but the label will be clear on that). You put the straw on the tip and spray "inside" the switch while moving the switch back and forth.

Maybe you will get lucky and have it be a more permanent fix than mine was.

 

I took a test light, I think I did it right, switch has power. I will try cleaning it. This forum is a big help since my husband is in Bahgdad. Thanks for your help

 

FYI, I had power to the switch, the problem is the dirty contacts weren't passing enough of it on. In my case when I put a meter in the ciruit, pushing forward showed 12 volts and would peg the amp meter, pushing reverse showed only a volt and a few miliamps. Good luck.

 

O MY God they work that was an easy $10 fix THANKS