Got in the car this morning and after starting, realized that the memory function was not working.
Pressed. “1” and the seat and steering wheel did not move.
Tried to manually move the wheel up, as well as manually move the seats but that didn’t work either.
No issue with the window, just the seat and steering wheel.
The passenger seat, by the way moved with no issues.
Met a few buddies at a C&C and checked the fuses and found nothing blown.
One of the guys suggested indexing the driver’s window to see if it would make a difference.
Sure enough, it did and everything returned to normal.
Got back in the a couple of hours later and had the same problem.
This time I noticed the window quickly “stutter” once or twice going up and down.
Drove home and now things are normal.
I’m at a loss guys!
Ideas?

 

These cars have a bunch of modules that control everything. Memory Seat Module, Driver Position Module, ....
if you are a DIYer, a Tech2 type scan tool is getting to be a neccesity as these cars age and fail.

Some light reading:

Memory Seats Description and Operation
The memory seat system consists of the following components:

• Seat adjuster switch

• Memory function switch

• Memory seat module (MSM)

• Driver door switch assembly (DDSA)

• Seat horizontal motor

• Seat front vertical Motor

• Seat rear vertical Motor

• Seat recline Motor

• Seat horizontal position sensor

• Seat front vertical position sensor

• Seat rear vertical position sensor

• Seat recline position sensor

• POWER SEATS circuit breaker 30 A

• TILT/TELE SW/MEM SEAT MOD Fuse 10 A

The MSM is referenced in the Tech 2 as the driver position module (DPM).

Seat Adjuster Switch
Battery positive voltage is supplied at all times to the seat adjuster switch from the TILT/TELE SW/MEM SEAT MOD S Fuse located in the body control module (BCM) fuse block. When a seat switch is pressed, battery positive voltage is applied through the switch contacts and the switch signal circuit to the MSM. The MSM then commands the selected seat motor to move in response to the switch signal.

Memory Function Switch
Battery positive voltage is supplied at all times to the memory function switch from the TILT/TELE SW/MEM SEAT MOD Fuse located in the body control module (BCM) fuse block. When a memory recall switch is pressed battery positive voltage is applied through the switch contacts and the switch signal circuit to the memory seat module (MSM). The MSM then commands the appropriate seat motors to move to the pre-recorded seat position stored in memory in response to the switch signal.

MSM Power and Ground
Battery positive voltage is supplied at all times to the memory seat module (MSM) through the battery positive voltage circuit from the POWER SEATS circuit breaker located instrument panel (I/P) fuse block. This voltage is used to power up MSM and also to apply power to the seat motors when commanded. Battery positive voltage from the TILT/TELE SW/MEM SEAT MOD Fuse located in the body control module (BCM) fuse block that supplies voltage to the seat adjuster switch and the memory function switch, also supplies voltage to the MSM. The MSM monitors this voltage circuit in order to determine if battery voltage is supplied to the seat adjuster switch. The MSM is grounded through the module ground circuit and G301.

Seat Motors
The memory seat module (MSM) controls the movement of each of the above mentioned seat directional motors. All of the seat motors operate independently of each other. Each motor contains a electronic circuit breaker (PTC), that opens in the event of a circuit overload and will reset only after voltage has been removed from the circuit.

There are 4 motors that move the position of the seat. These are the seat horizontal motor, front vertical motor, rear vertical motor, and the recline motor. The horizontal motor moves the entire seat forward and rearward. The seat vertical motors may operate independently to tilt the front or rear of the seat cushion up or down. Both vertical motors can also run simultaneously to move the entire seat up or down. The recline motor moves the angle of the seat back forward or rearward.

All motors are reversible. For example, when the seat switch is operated to moved the entire seat forward, battery positive voltage is applied through the horizontal forward switch contacts and the power seat horizontal forward switch signal circuit to the MSM. In response to this signal, the MSM applies battery positive voltage through the driver seat horizontal motor forward control circuit to the horizontal motor. The MSM supplies ground to the motor through the driver seat horizontal motor rearward control circuit. The motor runs to drive the entire seat forward until the switch is released. Moving the entire seat rearward works similarly to moving the entire seat forward, except that battery positive voltage and ground are applied on the opposite circuits causing the motor to run in the opposite direction. All other seat motors are also powered this way.

The MSM provides each seat motor with a soft stop. The module will actually stop the motor just before the physical end-of-travel for that motor. This decreases the stress on each motor. If a motor reaches the end-of-travel due a soft stop and the seat switch is released and then activated again, the seat will move a short distance farther to it's physical travel limit.

Position Sensors
The seat position sensors are potentiometers which are either attached directly to the motor transmission cable or are an internal part of the motor. The memory seat module (MSM) supplies a 5-volt reference voltage through the 5-volt reference circuit and ground through the low reference circuit to the respective seat position sensors. When the motor or cable rotates, the resistance of the potentiometer varies changing the feedback voltage of the position sensor signal circuit. This voltage varies from 0.25-4.75 volts. The MSM monitors this voltage signal to determine the position of the seat.

When a memory set command is received, the MSM records the seat position by storing the feedback voltage from each position sensor. Then, when a memory recall command is received, the MSM moves the motors until the position sensor feedback voltages equals the feedback voltages stored in memory.

Memory Functions
After the driver door switch assembly (DDSA) receives a memory request signal from the memory function switch, it forwards the memory request via class 2 serial data line to the memory seat module (MSM). The MSM then examines the request and inspects to see if it has received any messages from any of the other vehicle modules that would prohibit seat movement. If no prohibited messages have been received, the MSM will then move the seat to the appropriate position per the memory request.

The current seat position may be recorded for 2 different drivers. To record a position, adjust the drivers seat to a comfortable position, then press and hold button 1 until a chime is heard. A second seat position may be programmed by repeating the above steps and pressing button 2. When the MSM receives a memory set message, it records the feedback voltages from all 4 seat position sensors for the appropriate driver. The easy exit position is programmed by moving the seat to the desired exit position and then press and hold the exit button until the chime is heard. Two easy exit positions can be programmed, one for each driver. When the MSM receives a set exit message, it records the feedback voltages from all 4 seat position sensors for the appropriate driver.

Memory recall will not work if the shift lever is out of NEUTRAL (N) or PARK (P).

Recall Personalization
Specific drivers are recognized by the vehicle through the keyless entry transmitters. When the transmitter is used in order to unlock the vehicle doors, it sends a radio frequency to the remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR). The RCDLR interprets the signal, then communicates the unlock command and which driver performed the command via a class 2 message over the serial data line to the appropriate modules and the memory seat module (MSM). The MSM will then recall any previously programed personalization easy exit or memory seat positions. For more information concerning the programing of the personalization feature refer to the owners manual.

Memory Inhibit/Enable
The memory seat module (MSM) receives the ignition switch signal and the gear selector position via class 2 messages. When the ignition switch is in the OFF position, memory record, memory recall, personalization recall, and exit recall functions are all allowed. When the ignition switch is in the ON position and the gear selector is in PARK, the personalization recall function is deactivated, while all other memory functions are allowed. When the ignition switch is in the ON position and the gear selector is out of the PARK position, all memory seat recall functions are inhibited, only memory set is allowed.

After an air bag deployment, the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) will send out a post air bag deployment signal via the class 2 serial data line. After receiving this message, the MSM will inhibit all memory recall functions, or cancel any memory recall function in process.

Steering Wheel and Column Description and Operation
Telescoping Description
The telescoping function of this column consists of the telescoping motor, the telescoping motor position sensor and the telescoping switch. The telescoping motor position sensor is an internal part of the telescoping steering motor. The telescoping switch operates the inward and outward movement of the steering wheel.

The energy absorbing and locking steering column includes three important features in addition to the steering function.

The steering column is energy absorbing and is designed to compress in a front-end collision which will lessen the chance of injury to the driver.
The steering column has a telescoping control system that consists of an electronic control module capable of class 2 serial data communication, a steering column power assembly with positioning motor and sensor, and a steering column control switch.
The multi-function lever provides for the control of the headlamp high beams, and the windshield washer and wiper.
The steering column may be removed, disassembled and reassembled with relative ease. It is important to use only the specified screws, bolts and nuts and to tighten them to the specified torque in order to ensure the proper energy absorbing functions. When the steering column assembly is removed from the vehicle, special care must be taken in handling it. Avoid the use of a steering wheel puller other than the special one recommended in this manual. Sharply striking the end of the steering shaft, leaning on the assembly or dropping the assembly could shear off or loosen the plastic fasteners which maintain the steering column rigidity.

Telescoping Operation
The telescoping steering column in/out switch is an input to the driver position module (DPM). The telescoping drive motor is an output function of the DPM.

Steering column memory settings are stored in the DPM. The steering column position sensor is an internal part of the telescoping motor assemblies, and is an input to the DPM. The DPM uses the position sensor input when storing and recalling memory settings.

Memory steering column, and the easy enter/exit operations are performed by the DPM. Commands for memory operations are sent to the DPM as class 2 messages by the driver door switch module (DDS).

 

Thanks for your very detailed explanation of how the system works!!
We thought it might be a module too but could that cause an intermittent failure?
Didn’t think of it until now but would a scanner diagnose the issue?
I have a family member who has a Tech 2 scanner.

 

Tech 2's can see every module and their parameters. They can show you what is happening when you press 1, 2 and exit buttons, etc. The Tech 2 can also command inputs to the modules to see if they a working right.

Read up on Memory Seat Control Module. I think it controls both functions. You need to reprogram and calibrate soft-stops for seat and wheel after you mess with or replace that module.

Google Search

 

Just went through this with mine, after intermittently working it quit for good. Had someone scan it and it said no communication with seat module but it wasn't the module. It was the main power plug going into the seat motor. It controls the power to the seat module, motors and the telescoping wheel power. Best bet would be to remove the seat and check the wiring, The power wires tend to break after time of the seat moving, It is a slow process when it breaks so that is why it starts as an intermittent problem.
BTW I ended up buying a used module prior to finding the wiring problem so for this issue I do recommend pulling the seat before you purchase anything based on scanner results.

 

Before reading about your issue, I wondered if in fact it could be a bad connection, much like when there is an intermittent air bag failure light.
In fact, I was getting the intermittent air bag light a few months ago.
Went away on its own so I didn’t pull the seat.
I know the air bag light wires can be pulled tighter with a zip tie.
Same thing with the main power plug?

 

With mine the wire was broken off where it is pinned into the connection. I had to get a new connector which I soldered in. I got the connector off amazon. Below is a video with the part number for the connector. Funny you mention the air bag light, I tie wrapped that up while I was reinstalling the seat, that was also intermittently coming on. Sounds like we are/were having the same issues going on with the seat.

Bing Videos

 

Thanks for weighing in and posting the video Vinny.
The more I think about it, the more I think that in fact it may simply be a bad connection under.
Still going to plug a scanner in to see what’s in the memory.