Power driver seat and tilt steering won't work!!!

[manonskisjr]

I disconnected the negative.. couldnt get to the positive because i lost my 10mm socket. Unfortunately i had no luck. Jonblayz did u disconnect both?

[ncx]

Adding some more info on this topic:

Symptoms: First, I noticed the driver's seat and steering stopped moving back/up when I shut off the car. All seat memory and mirror memory ceased working. Seat movement still worked via the seat controls. All fuses were good.

A few weeks later I noticed I could no longer move the steering wheel more than a millimeter for each press of the tilt/tele switch. That means it would take about 10 minutes to move it all the way up or down, 1 millimeter at a time. Thought this could be the motor in the column which is a known failure point, but didn't chase that down due to the other seat/mirror symptoms on that same circuit.

Another week goes by and the driver's seat stops moving completely, except for a millimeter movement for every 2 or 3 pushes of the seat controls. A day later, there was no movement at all.

Pulled the module shown below. The part number on mine was "61.31-4 318 615" which has been replaced by part number "61.31-7 119 867". This is for the "ACTUATION UNIT LEFT" a.k.a., the power seat memory module.

This part used to be over $500. My local dealer had 1 in stock for $369. Bav Auto could order me one for about 10% less. However, the best price by far was from Morristown BMW which was about 30% less than Bav. Email Morristown for an exact quote.

Reinstalled the module in 2 minutes and now all seat memory is back, steering movement is normal, and mirror memory works again. Expensive part but easy to fix.

[ZsX5o3]

nice =] I think mine may be on it's way out..

[Eazy-E46]

does this part also cause the mirrors to move on their own?

[GXL]

What about the steering wheel tilt and telescopic?

[ncx]

Originally Posted by GXL

What about the steering wheel tilt and telescopic?

A bad seat memory module can cause the tilt/tele to act weird or stop working completely. The tilt/tele motor itself is another possible problem area. Several people here have had to replace that motor, even on low-mileage X's. Check your fuses too.

[rocky1536]

How the HELL do you get the shroud off of the seat..the part that houses the seat control module. I unscrewed the one spot in the back but I can't figure how the clips work...do you just tug or is there something I am missing?

Also, the main harness that goes into the rear facing end of the module..how do you remove that? I can slide part of the clip but it just seems to be stuck on there...Does anyone have any pointers?

[faccen1]

There is only one screw, the whole thing is held on by snap fits. The only advice I can give you is to be patient and take your time trying to pry it off. I broke a couple of the clips when taking mine off which is no big deal.

As for the wire harness, until you get the control module removed from the seat, you do not need to undo the harness. There are 2 or 3 wire harness connections behind the control module that need to be disconnected when replacing.

[bd3500]

I am experiencing the same exact problem with my 2002 3.0i X5 now. Would the 61.31-7 119 867 part work in it or is it a different part?

Thanks

[faccen1]

I suggest removing the seat control module from the seat and then getting the part number off of it. This way you are guaranteed to get the right part. That is what I did I and I had no problems. You are going to have to remove it any way to replace it so you might as well do it now.