Telescopic and Tilt wheel inop - newbie

[denversun]

Hello everyone, I just purchased a used 2002 X5 and this is my first post. Please, be kind.

I am sure this is a known problem, but couldn't find the solution on my searches. I did however come across people with similar problems with respondents who said "go to the dealer".

ISSUE: The telescoping wheel does not work nor does the tilt. I've heard that it could be that the motors have gone bad. Interestingly, I also noticed that the memory controls do not work either - which, as far as I know, adjust the seat, mirrors and wheel (red memory light will illiminate, thats it). Mirrors and seat work fine with switches. I can live without the memory working, but the wheel is in the utmost position and close to the dash - very annoying.

WHAT I HAVE DONE: I ordered used motors from eBay based on the part number I found at real oem .com . I tested one of them in the vehicle by disconnecting the harness and plugging into the used motor. NOTHING HAPPENED. Could I have purchased bad motors? maybe. I bench tested the eBay motor by connecting 12v with alligator clips to the motor leads - motor worked perfectly. So, long story short, I used the same method in the x5.... disconnected the motors, attached alligator clips to the motor leads and guess what, the motors work just fine. I was able to lower the wheel and adjust the telescopic feature to a comfortable position. I am "ok" with it as-is, but naturally would like it to work properly!

OTHER ITEMS TO NOTE:
- Steering column adjustment switch appears to be working properly as I test each position with a multimeter.
- Fuses all tested fine, all connections tight.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS:
- Could there be an issue with the driver seat attenuation unit? I thought I read somewhere that this is where all memory settings are kept.
- Could the small circuit boards on the motors have gone bad? During bench testing the eBay-purchased motors wouldn't work unless I connected directly to the soldered leads on the motor.
- Is there a central control unit (brain) that could be the source of the problem?

Like I said, this isn't the end of the world, but I am one of those guys that isn't completely satisfied until things work as engineered. However, I am not the person who likes to fork over a blank check to a dealer unless absolutely necessary.

Any constructive thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[JCL]

Welcome to the board!

Not likely to be the motors, partly because you wouldn't expect both to fail and partly because you tested replacements.

Most likely culprit is the memory controller, which is combined with the seat and mirror memory controller. It is mounted on the left side of the driver's seat, behind the switches. It is worth checking the wiring harness to it, but after that, it is likely to be the controller itself. There are several posts about it, see these threads, and the third thread for pictures of how to replace it:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...adjusting.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...esnt-work.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...wont-work.html

Jeff