Registered: Apr 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 244

This is long and winding but I hope it is worth sharing.

Today, just 1 week after the 3-yr bumper to bumper warranty expired on my 2000 EX, I discovered that the 3rd row seat latches would not disengage for me to tumble the seat into the well. I checked the honda extended warranty document but this problem is not covered!

Although the shop manual describes in detail the seat dismantling procedure, it is very cumbersome and the many screws and bolts are hard to access. After scratching my head I decided to remove the plastic cover that surrounds the rear seat latch release handle. This is held in place by two philips screws that are blocked by the seat back, I had to attach a philips driver bit at 90 degrees at the end of a vise grip to remove them. I could now see how the latch release cables are attached to the release handle, one on each side. It is similar to the end of a bicycle brake cable. The culprit? one of the cables was detached from the handle. It was quite a struggle to reattach it because the cable has to pass through a slot and the cable end sits in a cylindrical socket, and there is barely enough room for two fingers. I managed to succeed after numerous frustrating attempts.

As a preventative measure, I rolled a string of black tar (the kind used for mounting windshield) somewhat like a plumber's putty and wrapped it around the cable ends. Hopefully it will help prevent the cable ends from 'jumping' out again. Also, from now on, when I flip the seat out of the well, I won't let it drop with a huge thud. I think it was the heavy dropping and engaging of the seat latches that jolted the cable end out of its socket. Of course I'll need to ensure that the seat is securely latched.

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Registered: Aug 2001
Location: N/A
Posts: 1982

I wouldn't have hesitated to take that in and ask for warranty service on that piece. Of course, my dealership wouldn't have hesitated to provide warranty service for that; they and I have a superb relationship.

It *does* pay to get dealer service, as long as it's a good organization. I recognize that there are likely very few good dealer service departments out there. However, don't assume that there aren't any just because you haven't found them. They do exist.

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Registered: Apr 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 244

I would definitely take it to the dealer if I couldn't resolve it myself within a reasonable timeframe. As it turned out, I fixed it within an hour in spite of the frustrations. It would have been more inconvenient and time-consuming to let the dealer do it even if they fix it for free out of good will. Besides, if they remove the seat back and disturb the factory installation, they could introduce a new rattle. This is the same dealer that scratched my front bumper while fixing the brakes under warranty two months ago.

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Registered: Apr 2004
Location: MD
Posts: 2

I think I have the same problem as candaodyowner. Mine is 2000 EX and it already expires with the 36k warranty. I have checked and find out that my left side is stuck and the right side is ok. I checked the left side is not release at all when I pulled the latch. Maybe mine is also one side is detached from the handle when I release the latch handle.

I might need your advice as I try to see if I can figure out with this.

Do you have transmission problem? And I heard Honda is extending the warranty on Transmission for 7 years and 100,000 miles. Can someone verify this? I am over in Maryland USA.


Thanks for your post message.

Steve

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Registered: Apr 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 244

Steve,

Mine is a 2000 EX too. Hope my writeup can help you solve your problem. I'll be glad to provide more info if you need it.

Honda Canada did extend tranny warranty to 7 years or 160k(or 140k) km on 2000 ody. I believe Honda USA did likewise; do a search.

Good luck.

__________________
'00 EX.
'03 Corolla CE.

Last edited by canadaodyowner on 04-29-2004 at 11:08 PM

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Sarasota Florida
Posts: 16

canadaodyowner; Your fix for the rear seat folding latch was right on. I happened to have a 90 degree screwdriver that did the trick on the two screws, the left cable was off, and it is a real pain to get re-attached (Honda wanted 2 hours labor to fix it). Took me 1/2 an hour start to finish, I don't see what will keep it from happening again, but I know the trick to fix it now.

Thanks

Mike in Sarasota Fl

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Registered: Apr 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 244

Mike, I'm glad it worked out for you. Here's what I do to minimise the chance of it happening again:

quote:

---

Originally posted by canadaodyowner
As a preventative measure, I rolled a string of black tar (the kind used for mounting windshield) somewhat like a plumber's putty and wrapped it around the cable ends. Hopefully it will help prevent the cable ends from 'jumping' out again. Also, from now on, when I flip the seat out of the well, I won't let it drop with a huge thud. I think it was the heavy dropping and engaging of the seat latches that jolted the cable end out of its socket. Of course I'll need to ensure that the seat is securely latched.

---

__________________
'00 EX.
'03 Corolla CE.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location:
Posts: 16

I have/had the exact same recurring rear seat problem. First time fixed under warranty second time fixed easily using information from the preceding posts... I'd like to add to the above posts... I see no real need for the 90 degree screwdriver and found a simple quick way to reattach the cable end.
I have posted two pictures to illustrate the techniques.
To remove the handle housing screws...
To easily reattach the cable...
Should be self explanatory. Hope they help.


Should add...this is on the 2000 EX w/64,000 miles...
Also, could anyone help me with my 1987 Nissan Truck timing chain...??? :)

Last edited by Rickisan on 08-20-2005 at 02:31 PM

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Registered: Mar 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 2

I have an 03 LX with the same problem. We took the handle cover off but both sides are still attached. You can hear the right side disengaging but not the left. Any more ideas?

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location:
Posts: 16

The first thing I would make sure there is no impediment on the "latch" at the front of the seat binding and keeping it from unlatching. This is unlikely but possible if there are many items stored in the area of the latch. It also might be helpful to have one person operate the release handle while another person pulls/moves the front of the seat up and down. It's worth a try. Good luck!

Last edited by Rickisan on 08-20-2005 at 02:42 PM

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Registered: May 2006
Location: Jacksonville, Florida USA
Posts: 4

I have used the thread information to fix my folding seat and now have an additional observation to add.

The original fix was very simple and required almost no time, but the problem reappeared even before I put the plastic cover back on.

It seems the right side mechanism was not closing properly and retracting the cable so that upon release of the handle the cable could not retract properly and immediately popped out of the handle again. After using white lithium spray grease to lubricate the lock mechanism on the right hand side it all works as planned.

Additionally, I have inserted some dry graphite lubricant (used on bicycle brake cables) into the pull cable to help lubricate the cable itself.

Pay It Forward,

Peter

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Registered: Nov 2005
Location: wadsworth, ohio
Posts: 8

Passenger side magic seat won't flip down. Latch does not release it. Asked service to look at it-showed him problem and he told me when I picked up van after oil change it was fixed. Invoice said "operating as designed". But apparently mechanic didn't actually try to flip it down into well, but only folded back down, because latch is still stuck. Called service dept. back and they said "gee sorry I guess we should have looked at it more thouroughly can you bring it back?" Grrr. Am thinking about driving twice as far to different dealer.

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Registered: Mar 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 2

Ours turned out to just need a LOT of white lithium lube.

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Registered: Apr 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 244

never have a problem since my original fix and preventative measure over three years ago.

__________________
'00 EX.
'03 Corolla CE.

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Registered: Sep 2006
Location: SF, CA
Posts: 7

I used to be into bicycles and I always greased (Lithium or Teflon) the cables before running them through the brake/derailuer housing. This is a must-do step for smoothness and for anti-corrosiveness. Could this be a step Honda could be taking to prevent this?

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