The 'pull to release' lever on the rear seat is not working. It's just slack. How do I release the guide molding from the top of the seat please? I assume that once I gain access to the locking mechanism a hooked wire, e.g.coat hanger, will facilitate unlocking the seat and thus gain access to replace the lever.

If you open the boot you should be able to see where the back of the seat fastens on to an eye and IIRC you can push the catch up with a screwdriver to release the seat back.

To replace it you just need to prise out the square bit that is set into the seat and remove the broken bits. You will probably find that the end of the bit you pull has snapped off and is floating around inside the seat back. The replacement bit is actually 3 separate parts, get these first and you will see how it fits together. For the octavia the replacement bits cost me the princely sum of £2.46.

Thanks trundlenut for your reply. I can't get to the latch as it's hidden by the pillar so I'm going for the guide in the seat top. There seems to be two legs securing the thing but I can't see how to release them to prise out the guide. Do they lock somewhere? Thanks for your patience.

you should be able to lift see enough of a gap to get a screwdrive in the hole, though you might need to remove the trim in the boot. On my Octavia it is easy to see on one side but not the other.

The release lever at the top is 3 piece - the bit you pull, the square bit in the seat and a round piece with a hole in that secures the square bit and the pull bit threads through it. If you apply sufficient brute force and ignorance to the pull bit you can break it off and get it out then you will see the other two bits clearly. If you buy the new bits then it will be obvious how it fits together.

I doubt that you will be able to get down inside the seat from the top to actually release the seat. The bit that is broken isn't actually straight, it's about 6 inches long with a dog leg in the middle and you won't have a large enough hole in the top of the seat to get a tool in to pull on the end of the release mechanism as it is down level with the latch.

Thanks again. I managed to remove the rectangular bit in the seat by - brute force, complete with the other parts. This revealed two holes and by shining a led torch down one and peering down the other I was able to release the seat with the hooked coat hanger wire. The other seat latch mechanism helped me identify the part to pull. New parts have been ordered for tomorrow so all should be soon back in order.

Fixed! Just a note for anyone reading this thread - to avoid this problem use release handle when returning seat to upright position. The rod connection is fragile and will not suffer heavy-handedness for long..

you should be able to lift see enough of a gap to get a screwdrive in the hole, though you might need to remove the trim in the boot. On my Octavia it is easy to see on one side but not the other.

The release lever at the top is 3 piece - the bit you pull, the square bit in the seat and a round piece with a hole in that secures the square bit and the pull bit threads through it. If you apply sufficient brute force and ignorance to the pull bit you can break it off and get it out then you will see the other two bits clearly. If you buy the new bits then it will be obvious how it fits together.

I doubt that you will be able to get down inside the seat from the top to actually release the seat. The bit that is broken isn't actually straight, it's about 6 inches long with a dog leg in the middle and you won't have a large enough hole in the top of the seat to get a tool in to pull on the end of the release mechanism as it is down level with the latch.

sorry to resurrect the thread but this happened to my occy last week, i have tried the octavia forum but no joy. can anyone tell me where i can get the replacement part from??

cheers

sorry to resurrect the thread but this happened to my occy last week, i have tried the octavia forum but no joy. can anyone tell me where i can get the replacement part from??

cheers

Dealer or TPS.

Now I may have found my saviour to the rear car release problem ! Hooray.

Actually I have had my TDI COMFORT Estate type car for over 8 years and I am so pleased with it. Yesterday I wanted to put the larger of the two rear seats down to transport a bike. When I pulled the latch up nothing happened. No tension at all. So did a search on Mr Google and came here. Read the instructions above and manged to yank the latch thing up with brute force (and a small wooden hammer handle !) and the plastic broke leaving the central part still in the hole. When I try to jiggle this to pull it out it seems stuck. So what do I do next ? Can the actual seat mounting part be taken off or is this a no no. Help ! hope my picture helps ?

Looking web wide for a solution and found this guide

http://writen4u.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-fix-a-Broken-Rear-Seat-Release-Latch-VW-MKIV-DIY

Parts number mentioned is still valid.

For my car lever part number is 6Q0 885 644 A 47H, which is a bit longer than 1J0 885 643 E B41. Make sure you get the right one, after reading the previously mentioned guide I didn't realise it's not for my car until I got the part and got around to starting to replace it :s

Edited 19 February, 20188 yr by dalius

I have the same prob on my Fabia VRS se. From the boot I can see , what looks like a blue metalic ring , going into the back of the seat. Where do I put the screwdriver....? into the hole in the back of the seat ? no rude comments please..haha Thanks for any help.

5 hours ago, jrad239 said:

I have the same prob on my Fabia VRS se. From the boot I can see , what looks like a blue metalic ring , going into the back of the seat. Where do I put the screwdriver....? into the hole in the back of the seat ? no rude comments please..haha Thanks for any help.

 

Have a look at the ninth post down in this thread. There are some pics that show how to release the seat with a screwdriver...

 

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/198599-rear-seat-latch/