Driver's seat back angle will not move

[Russell]

I just noticed my driver's seat back will not move. Headrest goes up and down, but the switch will not change the seat angle. I can hear the seat motor run. However, I did have the seat recovered recently. Perhaps something is disconnected. Any ideas? Thanks.

[632 Regal]

Sounds like a cable issue. You have 2 cables for the seat back attached to the motors with a small bolt. You will need to tilt the seat back to get access after unbolting the rear from the floor. If you are unsure do a search for the common seat tilt problem. It is possible that the inner cables are too short but kind of unlikely if both sides wont move.

[Russell]

My thoughts exactly. Wonder how much the shop had the seat apart to replace the seat covers. Perhaps they forgot to connect the seat back cables.

[632 Regal]

Hahaha.. It could be that easy! Might have disconnected them and used a drill to get more room to attach the covers.

[shogun]

Just move the seat forward till you have access to the 2 bolts at the reail in the rear, take them out and then you can lift it forward and can inspect from underneath. Repair of bowden cables is on my website.

[Russell]

Starting to check it out. Seat still in car. Cables are connected. I am now thinking the adjuster motor has failed. It is making a sound (not like the other motors) but may not be functioning. I have an extra set of seat motors from an extra passenger seat. It should work, if needed.

[shogun]

Just pay attention, the motors may look from outside the same, but the gears inside are different, I disassembled some in my E32 with memory seats. See here http://www.e38.org/e32/BMW_pdfs/smm.pdf

[Russell]

Thanks for the advice. I will. The extra motors I have that control the tilt and I believe the rear seat bottom are both the same part number. I also just noticed on real OEM there is volt regulator for the backrest adjuster. Wonder that that tis for?

[Russell]

still have not worked on the seat issue. Next week. :)

[Russell]

Got lazy, real lazy, took the seat out, started work to fix the seat back and decided i did not have the patience that day to mess with it. Took it, without the car, to my indy they fixed with no problems.

[Jehu]

Got lazy, real lazy, took the seat out, started work to fix the seat back and decided i did not have the patience that day to mess with it. Took it, without the car, to my indy they fixed with no problems.


So what was the problem and how did they fix it?

[Russell]

Sorry, Seat back twist on console site. They just shorten both left/right cables for the seat back and realigned the seat back. I reinstalled the seat this morning. Also finished a leatherique conditioning and cleaning of all the seats as well.