2nd Row Center Seat Latch

[Swmpbgy1]

Greetings all!

First post.....Search did not find me an answer so here goes.

I have an 07 Expy EL XLT....the 2nd row seat has a narrow center seat that when I pull the black lever in the top of the seat back to fold the seat forward does nothing. I can see the thin cable attached to the lever.

My question....Is there a way to release the latch so that I can fold the seat? I think the cable just needs to be re-attached to the underside to get it working again......Is this a known issue?

Thanks........
Sempbgy1

 

[Stoned06]

On my '06, you have to pull the seat back at the same time to get the seat to move. Just pulling the strap will not move the seat.

 

[Swmpbgy1]

On my '06, you have to pull the seat back at the same time to get the seat to move. Just pulling the strap will not move the seat.

I'll give it a try tonight..........

Thanks......

Swmpbgy1

 

[GAINMOB]

that is correct...my 04' is the same and you must fold it...it will fold quite easily once you start...

 

[Swmpbgy1]

I'll give it a try tonight..........

Thanks......

Swmpbgy1

Well guys....that didn't work......when I lift the handle in the seat back, the cable seems to be not connected to anything......any other ideas?

Swmpbgy1

 

[Nathanialson 08]

My 2008 has the same kinda problem but mine wont latch but the Ford dealer looked at it for free which was nice but they found the plastic latch piece broke and they quoted me $88 dollars just for the plastic piece itself an thats not with them installing it, they told me they have seen this problem a few times where it it wont fold down or it wont latch back like mine.

 

[Swmpbgy1]

My 2008 has the same kinda problem but mine wont latch but the Ford dealer looked at it for free which was nice but they found the plastic latch piece broke and they quoted me $88 dollars just for the plastic piece itself an thats not with them installing it, they told me they have seen this problem a few times where it it wont fold down or it wont latch back like mine.

That being said.....does anyone know how to unlatch it if the latch is broken????

Swmpbgy1

 

[GAINMOB]

nope

 

[Dib52]

I had mine break about 2yrs ago, kids were being overly aggressive dropping the seat. The wire for the release crosses from top left at the flip handle down to the bottom right under the seat. You kinda have to stand on your head to see it attach to a bolt under the right side, then tucked up even further, there is a spring on a lever. Manually push/pull the spring mechanism to have the back fold down. My dealer fixed my problem, cable was screwed up, but I was able to drop the seat back messing with the spring mechanism. After the fix, dealer said to push on the front of the seat back while pulling up on the release lever to release some of the tension on the cable, rather than just yanking on the release. Been working fine ever since. Hope that helps

 

[Dib52]

Alright, i was curious as to how I did it in the past, so i went out to take a look at it. Access it from the third row laying on your back. Look in the direction of the bottom right side under the seat, you should see something like this...

The piece with the numbers stamped into it is the mechanism. Pull it toward you, toward the third row, and it should release.

 

[Swmpbgy1]

Alright, i was curious as to how I did it in the past, so i went out to take a look at it. Access it from the third row laying on your back. Look in the direction of the bottom right side under the seat, you should see something like this...

The piece with the numbers stamped into it is the mechanism. Pull it toward you, toward the third row, and it should release.

Dib:

You're awesome!! Thanks for the posts......this is what I'm looking for!!!

Did you fold the third row flat to access this?

Swmpbgy1

 

[Dib52]

No need to drop row three, just flip up one of the outside seats of row two and lay on your back between the rows. It's not comfortable, but doable!

 

[Swmpbgy1]

No need to drop row three, just flip up one of the outside seats of row two and lay on your back between the rows. It's not comfortable, but doable!

Dib:

Crawled under the seat yesterday afternoon and found that the plastic button that attaches to the release that you've pointed out in your photo, had popped off. Got it back on and tested the folding of the seat.....your right, you really need to put pressure on the seat back in order for it to release.

Thanks again.....all is right with the world.

Swmpbgy1

 

[MarkK]

Sorry to revive an old thread...

Having a similar issue with our 08 EL. Middle seat would not fold so I got underneath and was able to use a screwdriver to move the latch to get it to release but now it will not re-latch. The cable mechanism seems fine but the plate where the spring connects (to the right of the numbered plate in the pictures) is very difficult to move (it would seem to me that this should move free.) Any thoughts? We just bought the truck and everything was pretty gummed up so I sprayed some de=grease to try to loosen it up but seems like it could be more than that.

Thanks

 

[MarkK]

Must have been just the grime... Degreaser had a day or so to work and now the latch is fine.

 

[Gamecock]

I'm having the opposite issue, mine won't lock in the upright position! Anyone?

 

[NCC4]

Thanks, pushing back on the seat worked!

My middle seat was stuck in the unfold position and would not fold. I read the thread and before trying to contorsion myself to look for the release cable (thanks for the pictures, I bookmarked the thread for future reference), I just tried pushing back on the top of the seat while holding the release up and it did the trick. Thank you, thank you, thank you!