328i power seat problems - BMW Forum

nola77 · 05-12-2009, 07:29 AM

I'm a new owner of a 97 328i. So far I'm loving the car. The only problem thus far is my power seats. The driver seat won't move forward and backwards and the passenger seat won't move at all. It's not the worst problem in the world since as long as its like this my wife can't drive the car

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marti5 · 05-12-2009, 01:10 PM

Check under the seat for a loose connection or a chaffed wire, the passenger seat will not operate without the drivers seat being properly connected.

nola77 · 05-12-2009, 05:24 PM

does it make any sense that the recline option works and the up and down works but not the forward and back. Which options work on the same motor. does it just sound like the switch??

johnnyBgood · 05-12-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nola77

does it make any sense that the recline option works and the up and down works but not the forward and back. Which options work on the same motor. does it just sound like the switch??

As for the driver's seat....Sounds like the forward & reverse drive motor.....mine went on the passenger side......found it on ebay for about $40.00....The passenger's side sounds like a fuse.....

johnny,

p.s. I replaced the motor, by removing the seat......it took about an hour....
note: before disconnecting the wire connectors from the bottom of the seat make sure the battery negative cable is disconnected first or you will trip the airbag light to come on!

XPM69420 · 05-12-2009, 06:25 PM

I HAVE A 98N 328I SEDAN AND MY PASSENGER SIDE MOVES SIDEWAYS LOOKS LIKE ONT HE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT IS MOVING AND THE RIGHT IS STUCK ANY IDEA AND HOW TO GO ABOUT FIXING IT

johnnyBgood · 05-12-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XPM69420

I HAVE A 98N 328I SEDAN AND MY PASSENGER SIDE MOVES SIDEWAYS LOOKS LIKE ONT HE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT IS MOVING AND THE RIGHT IS STUCK ANY IDEA AND HOW TO GO ABOUT FIXING IT

In your case, it seems one of the cables (drive shaft) from the motor to the track disconnected........12 & 14 in pic below:

p.s. sometimes the plastic gears inside the track.... break.....ebay sells them

e36 seat motor - buy and sell on eBay Motors

XPM69420 · 05-12-2009, 06:59 PM

Wow Thanks So Much Anyone Now What The Clips Are Called That Hold The Side Skirt To The Body And Where I Can Find Them?

nola77 · 05-12-2009, 10:24 PM

btw...how am i suppose to remove my seat if i can't move it forward???

johnnyBgood · 05-12-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nola77

btw...how am i suppose to remove my seat if i can't move it forward???

Lift seat height all the way up & then remove the 2 gear units marked as 10 in diagram, then you will be able to move it manually......

RealOEM.com * BMW E36 328i FRONT SEAT RAIL ELECTRICAL/SINGLE PARTS

johnny,

nola77 · 05-13-2009, 07:39 AM

Thanks for the info. I also found this:
Seat motor dead... can't move to unbolt - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

JL BMW · 08-28-2011, 02:33 PM

I need help. My only problem with my 96' e36 328is coupe is that on the passenger's side, the recline option doesn´t work. Before this situation, it was working some days and some days not, but now it is completely disabled.