GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

A43 is the option code for the following components:

    • The memory seats
    • The memory mirrors

The memory seat may also include option code W01. W01 is the option code for memory lumbar support. The W01 package is a combination of the following options:

    • AL2: Power lumbar seats
    • KA1: Heated seats

The memory seat system consists of the following components:

    • The memory seat module (MSM)
    • The five motors

All of the motors, except the headrest motor, have position sensors. The MSM controls the movement of the 5 seat position motors. All of the motors operate independently of each other.

The rear junction block MEM/RFA fuse supplies battery positive voltage (B+) to the MSM through CKT 2040 (ORN). The rear junction block PWR SEAT circuit breaker provides battery positive voltage (B+) to the MSM through CKT 1340 (ORN). Power from CKT 1340 (ORN) operates the seat motors. The MSM grounds through CKT 450 (BLK) to G201.

Motors

The following 3 motors move the position of the seat:

    • The horizontal motor
    • The rear vertical motor
    • The front vertical motor

Both vertical motors operate simultaneously when the left seat switch signals the entire seat to move up or down. The recline motor moves the angle of the seatback. The headrest motor moves the height of the headrest.

All of the motors are reversible. For example, one motor moves the seat both forward and back. When the seat switch sends a signal to the MSM to move the seat forward, the MSM supplies the following items in order to operate the motor and move the seat forward:

    • Battery positive voltage (B+)
    • Ground

When the seat switch sends a signal to the MSM to move the seat back, the MSM supplies power to the same motor. The MSM switches the voltage and the ground to the opposite cavities on the motor connector. The voltage polarity reverses and the motor then operates in the opposite direction. All of the following motors operate in an identical manner:

    • The power seat motors
    • The power lumbar motors
    • The power mirror motors

The MSM provides each seat motor with a soft stop. The module stops the motor just before the end of physical travel for the seat. The soft stop decreases the stress on each motor. The seat will move a short distance farther to the physical travel limit under the following conditions:

    • The module stops the motor using a soft stop.
    • The seat switch releases.
    • The seat switch activates again.

Position Sensors

The MSM uses the position sensors in order to perform the following functions:

    • Store the motor positions.
    • Return the motors to the stored memory positions.

The headrest motor does not have a position sensor. The MSM provides a 5 volt reference voltage through CKT 788 (GRY) and the reference ground through CKT 782 (BLK) to each of the following components:

    • The seat position sensors
    • The lumbar position sensors

The position sensors are potentiometers mounted to the transmission cable of each motor. When the cable rotates, the resistance of the potentiometer varies. The MSM monitors the feedback voltage of the potentiometer in order to determine the position of the motor. The sensor feedback voltages vary from 0.25 volts to 4.75 volts. When you execute a set memory command, the MSM records each position feedback sensor in order to store the motor positions. When you execute the recall memory command, the MSM moves the motors until the feedback voltages of all of the position sensors equal the feedback voltages stored in memory.

For the easy exit function, the MSM records only the seat position sensor feedback voltages. For the easy exit function, only the seat motors operate. The lumbar support is not involved.

Manual Movement

The MSM receives the manual movement inputs of the seat from the left seat switch. When the MSM receives one of the following inputs, the MSM supplies battery positive voltage (B+) to the appropriate motor(s) and the seat moves accordingly:

    • A horizontal input
    • A front vertical input
    • A rear vertical input
    • A recline input
    • A headrest input

Memory Functions

The left front power window switch receives the inputs from the memory function switch. The left front power window switch then sends a message through the simple bus interface (SBI) to the driver door module (DDM). The message indicates that the switch received a memory function input. The DDM then sends a message to the MSM through the class 2 serial data line. The MSM records the current lumbar support positions for 2 different drivers. In order to record the current seat positions, press and hold one of the following buttons for 3 seconds:

    • MEMORY-1
    • MEMORY-2

A chime will sound in order to acknowledge the input. When the MSM receives a memory set message, the MSM records the feedback voltages from the following sensors for the appropriate driver:

    • The 3 seat position sensors
    • The recline position sensor

When you press one of the memory buttons, a single chime sounds in order to acknowledge the input. From the memory buttons, the MSM receives the memory recall message. The MSM then applies battery positive voltage (B+) to the seat motors until the position sensor feedback voltages equal the feedback voltages stored in memory for the appropriate driver.

Recall Personalization

When you use a keyless entry transmitter in order to unlock the doors of the vehicle, the remote function actuator (RFA) module communicates the following information to the MSM through a class 2 message:

    • The unlock command
    • The driver that performed the command

The following 3 personalized recall options are available when the MSM receives an unlock command:

    • Recall immediately upon receipt of the RFA message.
    • Recall when the MSM receives a key-in message.
    • Do not recall upon receipt of an RFA message (recall functions perform only from the memory switches).

Memory Inhibit/Enable

The MSM receives the ignition inputs from the IP junction block IGN SEN Fuse through CKT 241 (BRN). The MSM receives the gear selector position through class 2 messages. When the ignition switch is in the OFF position, the following functions are allowed:

    • The memory record function
    • The memory recall function
    • The personalization recall function
    • The exit recall function

The personalization recall function deactivates under the following conditions:

    • The ignition switch is in the ON position.
    • The gear selector is in the PARK position.

All other memory functions remain operative.

Memory record remains active under the following conditions:

    • The ignition switch is in the ON position.
    • The gear selector is out of the PARK position.

All other memory functions deactivate.