Seat memory not working

[tcolburn]

Late '06 X5 3.0i

For the past few weeks I have not been able to get the seat memory to restore my seat position settings, nor have I been able to reprogram it. The red "M" button lights when I press it, then goes out about two seconds after I press the "1" button. However, if the seat position is changed, pressing the "1" button to restore it has no effect whatever. And another strange symptom has surfaced: with the driver door open and ignition off, pressing the "M" button causes the seat to move all the way back and the seat back to recline! I checked all of the fuses in the glove box panel and they are all right.

Has anyone else here experienced similar problems, and if so, what was the solution? Thanks.

--Tim C.

[racingbmwm3]

do positions 2 or 3 work? with the door open, briefly pressing a memory button will cause teh seat/mirrors/steering to move automatically to the preset. with the door closed and ignition on, you have to hold the preset button down until everything is finished moving.

the presets are also assigned to a key if I remember correctly. do you have a different key to try out? if same problem happens with both keys, its a problem with the memory module. pull it out and make sure the wiring connector and connector pins look ok. You can pick up a used module off ebay or from a parts car (craigslist) for pretty cheap.

[tcolburn]

Thanks for your response! No, other positions and keys do not work. I think it's time for a new module (kinda suspected all along, but was hoping for a less expensive quick fix). Oh well.
--Tim

[e30mpower]

Replace module. I got lucky on eBay and snagged one for about $50 a couple of years ago.