Steering Wheel Adjustment Assistance Needed

[SammyD]

Hoping someone can help me diagnose my steering wheel issue.

When I stepped into my X5 today (2003 Sport) my steering wheel was all the way down (which is very odd because I didn't leave it that way).

When I proceeded to adjust it back up it wouldn't move. All I can hear is the electrical "click" (so I know there's power getting to it).

What's odd is that it has no problem moving in and out. It only has a problem moving up and down.

I've read that the seat adjustment is tied to the steering wheel adjustment. Interestingly, my memory seat control stopped working prior to this steering wheel issue (the "M" light comes on when I try to set it but it doesn't memorize my settings any longer). It's important to note, though, that my seats adjust fine when I use the controls.

I've read that the issue could be anywhere from a loose wire (free fix) to the seat control module itself ($200 fix), but I'm having a hard time figuring out which of these are my issue based upon my symptoms.

Your thoughts / experience are greatly appreciated

[SammyD]

Bump

[RFaber]

Hello, I had a similar problem with mine, seat adjusted fine, steering wheel adjustment pretended not to work at all! nothing no up down in or out.
changed out the seat module, and all worked like magic!
strongly suspect one of the relays in the module itself is shot.
once i get a bit of time i will tear the module apart and see what the cause of the failure was and repair it (hopefully) to have a spare kicking around!
best of luck, wreckers may be a good source for an inexpensive module!

[SammyD]

^^Thank you!

I'm leaning more and more towards the module as well. Seems to be a common issue. Time to go shopping

[Qsilver7]

The PM-SM does controls the seat & steering wheel movement...as well as the 123 M memory function on the e53. But the GM could also be the culprit since it is the major control module for items on the P-bus.

The issue with the steering wheel column...could also be the connection to the drive for the motor that tilts up/down. To check this would require removing the panels below the steering column. I don't know if there's a DIY on any e53 forum for this problem...but there should be something in the e38/e39 DIY forums/sites for this issue. I've seen it discussed and written up before. The DIY for an e46/e38/e39 would be 99% similar to that for the e53.

[srmmmm]

Anyone know how much lateral travel there is supposed to be on the column? Either my arms are getting shorter, or my steering wheel isn't moving towards me as far as it used to.

2002 X5 3.0 247,222 miles
2004 325i 110,000 miles

[SammyD]

Qsilver7, thanks, great info

[SammyD]

Qsilver7, is this what you were thinking:

Steering column up and down DIY fix. - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

I might have to give this a try before I spend any money.

Stay tuned...

[SammyD]

I tried to follow the direction within the link above ^^ but when I removed the facia piece on top (in front of the gauge cluster) I could not see the worm screw to tap on within the steering column.

Is the E53 X5 setup differently or should I remove more pieces to see it (I don't want to get into something I shouldn't)?

Thanks!

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by SammyD

Qsilver7, is this what you were thinking:

Steering column up and down DIY fix. - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums

I might have to give this a try before I spend any money.

Stay tuned...

Yes...that is the area I was thinking of (except from the e39/e38 perspective...that looked like an e60/e65...but BMW design architecture doesn't vary much until they make a drastic change).

On your e53...it would be checking the horizontal adjusting transmission thingy (#9) and the shaft/cable (#13) that performs this adjustment...check to see if there's movement etc or something jammed into it (since you say you can hear the tranny/motor making noise):

E38's version of steering column's transmission shafts (#12 & #13)




(inner shaft is removed from the outer sheathing)


(here, you can see the shafts connected at their respective "transmissions"...check to see if the one not working has a broken piece (inside) and is not turning)