Memory seat has amnesia - SOLVED

W

wonkydonkey

Senior member
 Somerset
Morning folks. I've recently fitted some E46 M3 memory seats but have some issues with the driver's side:

1. All switches work fine apart from the forward/backward switch. If I press it once, there's an electrical 'click' but no movement. On the second press it will then move, but it stops moving after about 3 seconds and needs pressing again, then stops after 3 seconds.

2. All 3 memory buttons store everything apart from the forward/backward position.


What I've described above is the current state of play with a replacement switch panel sold as "fully working when removed" from eBay. I'm not assuming that the seller was lying just yet, as I had problems with the original switch panel too.

While I was standing by the passenger side of the car, the driver's seat propelled itself to the rear of the car (with original switch panel fitted). This is what drove me to replacing the switch panel.

I took the original switch panel apart and didn't see any obvious issues.

20190325_104104.jpg

Has anyone had similar problems?
 
Hi hope that's not why they were a Ebay bargain :!: maybe just an electrical gremlin have you done anything else electrical that may have thrown it out maybe get an auto spark to look it over good luck :thumbsup:
 
[ref]bz4kev[/ref] there isn't a great deal to them, and I enjoy having issues like this to learn about and fix. I'll continue investigating but input from people have experienced similar behaviour from their seats could help.
 
Not had any issues with both sets I have had only problem with seat occupancy good luck maybe try other sites for m3 owners as z4 m3 seat owners are thin on the ground good luck sure you will sort it :thumbsup:
 
From the description it sounds like one of the relays on that board is on its way out or has gotten sticky. I know it sound silly but give the 3 black boxes on the left of the photo a sharp tap with a screwdriver to see if it frees up the relay (it works for the relays in projection screens and lifts so should work on a car).
 
Matty_Z4 said:
From the description it sounds like one of the relays on that board is on its way out or has gotten sticky. I know it sound silly but give the 3 black boxes on the left of the photo a sharp tap with a screwdriver to see if it frees up the relay (it works for the relays in projection screens and lifts so should work on a car).
Click to expand...
Thanks Matt, that's a good suggestion. As it happens I'm hopefully taking my GM5 module to a local auto electrician soon so I could also take the seat switch panel along for similar treatment. Thanks for replying :)
 
Update: fixed.

I picked up a spare seat-mounted switch panel off eBay but was experiencing the same faulty operation. Popped the switch panel off my Z4 seat (overlooked this option originally!) and this too behaved in the same way, so I now knew the seat was an issue.

I disconnected the forward/backward motor in preparation to swap the Z4 motor to the M3 seat, but the motors differ in their electrical connections. It was at this point I saw that the brown wire to the fore/aft motor had parted company with the pin in the connector housing. Bingo! Connected it back up, put the seat back in and boom - Bob is my uncle once again :thumbsup:

This probably won't help anyone as it shouldn't be a common fault, I just wanted to close out the thread.

I now have two spare switch panels for sale :D
 
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