The rear seats were in the upright position while carrying luggage in the back of the car. I had to brake sharply when one of the left main passenger seat came down and locked into position. Unfortunately it has locked itself over the arm of my coat and the release mechanism won't budge the seat.  I've tried sliding the seat back and forth, but that is jammed too, the other seat works fine. I've also tried to pull the coat out, but it won't move, and I'd much prefer not to damage it! 

 

I've partially removed the rear plastic cover to gain access to the mechanism, and removed the only nut I have access to but no joy. The car is out of guarantee, although this is not a guarantee issue.

 

Any ideas

 

 

Push seat down at the back or sit on it before lifting seat release.

Thanks Urrell, I'll have another look tomorrow.

The seat must be fully rearwards before it will lift.  On my second Roomster I could only get the seat into this position by sitting on it, then moving it forwards, then shoving it back hard against the stop.

Thanks Robjon,. Unfortunately the seat won't slide, I've tried sitting on it and pushing hard in both directions, but no joy.  The other, un-jammed, seat will slide. 

 

However, I'll have another go!

That sounds like the sleeve of the coat has completely jammed the mechanism, so I suspect you are going to have to get a knife out and sacrifice the coat.

And you obviously haven't realised that in the base of the seats are elastic straps with hooks on the end. You pull these out and hook them on to the front seat head restraint bars, and they stop the seats falling down.

Have you removed the middle seat? It might give you a bit more 'wiggle room'!

Thanks Llanigraham and muddyjim.

 

I'll have another attempt to free the mechanism this morning, and it that doesn't work consult my trusted local Fred in the Shed. Failing that a knife will be employed.

 

The middle seat is out Jim, we rarely use the rear seats and they spend most of their life in the garage. I see no sense in carting unnecessary extra weight! The car is often used for lugging heavy or bulky objects or carrying bikes. On this occasion we had been visiting the grandchildren and needed the capacity.

23 hours ago, Urrell said:

Push seat down at the back or sit on it before lifting seat release.

 

Tried that this morning and, Eureka, it worked!

 

Many thanks for the tip!

17 hours ago, Llanigraham said:

And you obviously haven't realised that in the base of the seats are elastic straps with hooks on the end. You pull these out and hook them on to the front seat head restraint bars, and they stop the seats falling down.

 

Problem is I often drive wearing grubby gear so we have all enveloping seat covers preventing easy access to the head restraints. Thanks for the info however, I wasn't aware of that feature.

37 minutes ago, BryanA said:

Tried that this morning and, Eureka, it worked!

 

Great outcome 

 

Did the coat survive?

2 minutes ago, Robjon said:

 

Great outcome 

 

Did the coat survive?

 

Yes thanks, no visible damage.

18 hours ago, Llanigraham said:

That sounds like the sleeve of the coat has completely jammed the mechanism, so I suspect you are going to have to get a knife out and sacrifice the coat.

And you obviously haven't realised that in the base of the seats are elastic straps with hooks on the end. You pull these out and hook them on to the front seat head restraint bars, and they stop the seats falling down.

 

...well I never new that!!!....I wondered what they were for....many thanks...simply clever!!