Jeep Cherokee (XJ): Description and operation

Power seat switch

The power seat can be adjusted in six different ways using the power seat switch. The switch is located on the lower outboard side of the seat cushion on the seat cushion side shield. Refer to the owner's manual for more information on the power seat switch functions and the seat adjusting procedures.

The individual switches in the power seat switch unit cannot be repaired. If one switch is damaged or faulty, the entire power seat switch unit must be replaced.

Power seat adjuster and motors

There are three reversible motors that operate the power seat adjuster. The motors are connected to worm-drive gearboxes that move the seat adjuster through a combination of screw-type drive units.

The front and rear of a seat are operated by different motors. They can be raised or lowered independently of each other. When the center seat switch is pushed to the Up or Down position, both the front and rear motors operate in unison, moving the entire seat up or down. The forward-rearward motor is operated by pushing the center seat switch to the Forward or Rearward position.

When a switch is actuated, a battery feed and a ground path are applied through the switch contacts to the motor(s). The motor(s) and drives operate to move the seat in the selected direction until the switch is released, or until the travel limit of the power seat adjuster is reached. When the switch is moved in the opposite direction, the battery feed and ground path to the motor(s) are reversed through the switch contacts. This causes the motor to run in the opposite direction.

Each motor contains a self-resetting circuit breaker to protect it from overload. Consecutive or frequent resetting of the circuit breakers must not be allowed to continue, or the motors may be damaged. Make the necessary repairs.

The power seat adjuster and motors cannot be repaired, and are serviced only as a complete unit. If any component in this unit is faulty or damaged, the entire power seat adjuster and motors assembly must be replaced.

Circuit breaker

An automatic resetting circuit breaker in the junction block is used to protect the power seat system circuit. The circuit breaker can protect the system from a short circuit, or from an overload condition caused by an obstructed or stuck seat adjuster.

The circuit breaker cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.