95 bmw 740i driverseat main control switch problem

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

pchotspot - 21 Aug 2007 06:02 GMT

The seat will not roll back or forward. checked the fuse under the
hood passenger side [its good] there is nothing in the tracks. I
would hate to go buy a switch and that not the problem. I know there
are other fuse boxes in this car; could anyone guide me to where they
are so I can check them for blown fuses. The only function that does
not work is the forward and back everything else works. And the
steering wheel does not move forward or back either...............
they both stopped about the same time.

Reply to this Message

Jeff Strickland - 21 Aug 2007 20:18 GMT

Me thinks the power to all of the seat functions is the same, so since you
have some functions but not others, youir issue is isolated to the motor or
switch that controls the function that does not work.

The 3 Series cars (E36) have a problem with the gears inside the seat motor
transmissions -- if transmission is the right word. The motor drives a gear
that operates other gears that move the seat for and aft. You also have a
motor that operates the tilt of the seat and lifts and lowers the seat, and
another motor that leans the seatback up and down. In any case, the 3 Series
cars have a tendency to break the gears and the seat stops moving along
whichever axis that gear operates on.

I can't say what your problem is with any certainty, but I would be looking
at the motor and transmission assembly. You have to determine if the motor
is or is not running. If running, the electrics are good but the gears are
broken. If not running, then it could be bound because of broken gears or
the electrics could be bad, in which case youi have to work backward to the
switch and then to the power source.

My E36 currently has a broken gear on the seatback tilting motor, and I can
hear the motor running as the seat refuses to move. You did not tell us if
your seat motor is making noise or not.

> The seat will not roll back or forward. checked the fuse under the
> hood passenger side [its good] there is nothing in the tracks. I
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> steering wheel does not move forward or back either...............
> they both stopped about the same time.

Reply to this Message

pchotspot - 25 Aug 2007 03:11 GMT

> Me thinks the power to all of the seat functions is the same, so since you
> have some functions but not others, youir issue is isolated to the motor or
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> > steering wheel does not move forward or back either...............
> > they both stopped about the same time.

i change the switch with a brand new one and the fuctions worked for
about 30seconds then stopped. The only functions that are not working
are the forward and backward movement on the driver seat, and the up
and down control for the steering wheel. Are there any relays that
control the seat switch. Because it seems like the forward and
backward seat movement and the steering wheel movement are linked in
some way.

Reply to this Message