So in my 1990 g20 van, there is an electric motor to fold down the rear seats into a bed. However recently, it stopped working. Is there a way to put these seats down manually or will I have to replace the switch or the motor? I would really like to be able to just put them down on my own.

 

I really need help with this. I bought this van essentially to live in and for camping purposes and if I can't get the rear seats down, that would be a huge problem. Please help. Thanks!

 

What diagnosis has been done, the issue is probably simple have you tried to power the motor directly to 12V? Four things come to mind 1) the fuse is blown, 2) no power reaching the switch, 3) switch is faulty or 4) the electric motor is bad.

 

My express conversion van has one of these. I found four relays over by the rear a/c. I am assuming they are for the bed, so you might check for those. I have four as my bed slides front and back as well as reclines up and down. Good luck.

 

I agree with solwav. bench test it first. Salvage yards might have some used stuff in a van that's compatible. Otherwise some weekend engineering and you can make it work manually. I got a fold down back seat in my 88 G20 that isn't motorized but it has a bar that runs head to toe under the cushion that makes it impossible to sleep or do anything else on.

 

To actually answer the question. Yes. You can recline the back seat without the motor. You would have to detach the cables that recline it. Then you can just grab the back of the seat and pull it down.

 

You just answered a two year old question.

 

so? It’s a good question. Others may be looking for answers besides the op.

 

Your answer helped me in 2021. I appreciate you responding to a “2 year old question”

 

an answer to the years old question. I knew you could. I read it somewhere and came back around. Thank you for kindly spreading the word.
Cheers