Power rear seat issues
 

Hey everyone, I'm having an issue with my power rear reclining seat and wanted to ask if anyone else had experienced this.

The driver side 60 split of the rear seat would move forward, but not backwards, and I tried inching it up then going back, but no luck, and now its all the way forward, and not moving back. It doesn't go back with either the side or rear switch. I can hear the motor click when moving forwards, but not backwards.

The passenger side 40 split works normally to and fro with both switches.

Is there a bad relay or is it computer controlled (I hope not)?

If it is broken beyond reasonable repair, is there a way to manually recline the seat?

Thanks in advance!

I think I'd start by moving the switches from the working side to the non-working side and vice versa. See if that changes anything, and will at least rule out the switches. These switches are known for developing issues. They are the same as found in certain applications of the E36 3 series.

Good day!!

You beat me to it... As crystalworks indicated, swap the switches one at a time... If the problem moves, that is the switch that is bad... Don't move them both, then test... You still won't know which one is bad... The power from one goes thru the other, IIRC... The new hassle free TIS doesn't have the wiring diagram for the rear seats... I can't access the one I've been using for my MT project here at work...

Let us know what you discover... If you need a switch, I can grab one the next time I'm at the yard...

Cheers!!!

Thank you for the quick and informative replies!

Knowing that power runs through one to the next does help! Because I just purchased this e53, and it was the first time to try using the switches, and both don't work to go rear but both work to go forward.

Are the switches hard to remove?

I don't think they are... I could go check on my 2004... I think they just pop in and out... BUT, lets make sure before we scratch the plastic...

Cheers!!

Good day!!!

Well, pictures to the rescue... I actually have internet at the house this morning... It has been an issue for the past couple days...

This is pretty easy to get out... I just used my fingernails to space it out a touch for the small flat tip on my multi-tool...

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/924/qquUUA.jpg

No real force here... just wouldn't slide the tool around if possible... We don't want any marks...

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/txMlM8.jpg

Blurry... Apologies...

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/aSfP0n.jpg

Move down to the bottom and it's free....

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/924/hu0wYa.jpg

This is the connector... I do not like these at all!! They are a pain to release...

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/dJsdgp.jpg

Finally!!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/924/7mTpKl.jpg

Repeat on the other side and swap... Test both sides... If they both work, then you had a bad connection in one of the switches... Count your blessings and move about the day with a smile...

Good luck!!!

Cheers!!!

Thank you very much for taking the time to check out your switches williamx5! I really appreciate it. I'll make sure to update this thread if the switches are the culprits or not.

Good pics William. And yep... those are e36 switches and connectors. I cut those off at the PnP yard when I find them to retrofit into e30's... which have, believe it or not, an even higher failure rate on their switches.

Finally got a chance to visit the X5 at the shop (its there to get tuneup and other issues addressed). Swapped the rear passenger working switch over to the driver side and voila! Works.

Funny thing was that both rear and overhead driver side switches didn't work, but when the rear switch was swapped with a good one, both were working again.

Pic of the e53, excited to get this rig back soon!
http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/...pssaeskspr.jpg
http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/...psyeaybkb0.jpg

Just reading....so we're saying on side would also affect the overhead operation of the same bad side ??