Why doesn't driver's power seat move forward or back?

Check under the seat for broken wires. Forward and backwards is the function most used and causes the wires to bend back and forth. you may need to remove the seat for inspection or you may be lucky and see the problem just by raising the seat as high as it will go.

So here is a diagram of the seat circuitry for your car. Since every other function works except the forward/backward slide function, that leaves basically the forward/backward slide motor, the seat switch, and/or the wiring. If you can verify that the wiring under the seat is in good condition without obstructions, chaffed wires, and/or wires pulled too tight, then it's safe to say it's down to just the motor and/or the switch. Sometimes if the passengers front seat has the same switch, you can plug it in to the drivers' side connector and see what works and what doesn't. If the seat works fine with the other switch, then that's all it needs, if not then it will need a motor. If the other seat doesn't have a switch then you can find them at wrecking yards, or just supply power and ground to the motor in question to see if it works. If it does, then you know you kneed a switch and if not then a motor.
I hope this info helps!~subyguru~

Hi,
Does the seat move while driving when you hit a bump?
When you make it move by pushing it, are you moving the WHOLE seat or just the SEAT BACK? Could it be the forward/back lean that's 'loose'?

Also, I'd try moving the seat ALL the way FORWARD and then ALL the way BACK to ensure it's on its rails. When it's @ each extreme, see if one position has more 'play'/movment than another.

Do you share the RAV w/another driver that changes the seat too? It could be gettting worn from constant adjustment (I doubt it, but a thought).

GL,
TD

Try taking off the neg battery post and wait. reinstall to reset system and see if that works for you.

I found this post area while looking for a way to fix my stuck 2001 Camry LE drivers seat. Sure enough, while engaging the seat motor (it could be heard making an initial clikc), I hit the front rails a coupel time prettysolidly with a rubber mallet. That fixed it!

Thanks to all for providing a quick fand easy way to get the seat moving again!

check fuse.if fuse is good check for power at seat motor.if yes replace seat motor.if no check wires at switch.if wires is not loose or broken seat motor switch could be bad.

It is likely the gear on the motor came off track with the seat. The seat will have to be removed and bottom panel disassembled.

look under the seat and first see if something is jammed under it.... and that the wire that moves with the lever is intact. different instructions if that is a power seat.

I'm assuming this is a power seat. If so, there are separate motors that control the various functions of the seat such as forward/backard, recline, lumbar support, etc. It could be that the motor or an electrical connection to the motor for the forward/backward motion is faulty. Normally all of the motors would be on the same power circuit, so if some of the functions are working then it is probably not a blown fuse.

Just one other personal observation, I have actually seen an instance where some loose pocket change had spilled under the seat and a quarter had become wedged in the track that the seat slides in and had jammed the tracks so tightly that the seat would not move.

One thing to note is whether or not you hear anything when you try to move the seat forward/backward. If you hear a click or a buzz when you press the button then that could mean that something is physically jamming the seat tracks. If you don't hear anything when you press the button, then that more than likely means a problem with the motor or the electrical connection to the motor.

My drivers side power seat stopped moving forward and back...back rest still worked. Took it to dealer and they charged me $60 to fix a "loose wire."
The seat worked for 2-3 days and quit again. Took it back to the dealer, and they now said it needed a new motor and track at a cost of $750+. Told them to forget it and called GM. GM will not cover it, and they have not covered a host of other problems like new radiator, new water pump, new instrument guage cluster, cracked exhaust manifold, and misaligned rear door/window air deflector (which they even have a bulletin out to all service department that it is poor design and the body shop should "shave the plastic down so it doesn't hit roof when door is open).

Back to the seat, I took a large, flat blade screwdriver and ran it along the seat guide rails and pryed on the seat mount slightly....guess what? It the power seat now moves forward and back.

Bottom line is GM manufactures junk and will not stand behind it. Now we know why the company is going bankrupt.