Just bought a 1998 840i sport. An odd problem in that the electric steering column adjustment works the wrong way round ie if you pull the lever down the steering column moves up. If you pull it towards you the steering column moves away and when you switch off the ignition the column moves down instead of up? It feels like something is wired the wrong way round but what????
Mine spontaneously reversed itself 5 or 6 years ago, and I still haven't figured it out. I am thinking seat memory module. It's the only thing I haven't tried. No fault codes stored and it runs the calibration procedure just fine in DIS. The wiring is not the issue. Mirrors and seat controls can do this sometimes as well (all controlled by the memory module under the driver's seat) and there are a few threads on the subject - one being mine when my steering column started doing what yours is.
Mine did the same until I swapped out the module on top of the heater housing. Lever operation was only reversed for the first time then back to normal until ignition was turned off, and no raising of steering wheel just a motor sound (probably in the opposite direction)
i was under the impression that it was in control of all the memory functions for the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel. I could be wrong. Does anyone else know ?
Not sure I understand where the memory module is-any pics etc?
Does pulling the trunk steering fuse change anything?
Hi, has anyone figured out the issue with electric steering column adjustment reversing itself? Mine does the same thing. Thanks
Today, I finally replaced the steering column memory module (inside the dash above the MID) with a donor, and it is now working correctly again!
I am very happy to have it going the right way again, and regaining the entry/exit feature. It's just too bad that it now moves VERY jerky since when it broke, it moved up beyond the mechanical limit, and a bunch of tiny little ball bearings fell out onto the carpet from the adjustment mechanism. Sadly these parts aren't available separately. I will have to find a donor for these things.
'91 Dinan 860 Stage III (new 6L engine)
'91 Dinan 850 TT stage III (brand new engine) 21st Century Tech meets 18th Century Dinan...
'91 850i 6sp (mint) (sold)
'90 Dinan 750iL TT stage III (Guido - The Beast)
'94 850 CSi The Detroit Auto Show car (restored to factory perfect) (sold)
'96 850Ci, The George Carlin car
''73 3.0 csi, '08 535i, '03 X5 4.6is
...and a few other non BMW cars
I think the coding in this module gets corrupted and things go awry-- Capacitors may fix a misbehaving module, but won't fix corrupted coding..
An alternative is to unhook one of the connectors on the steering wheel module (the white one, I think). In my car, this eliminated the memory function and automatic up-down, but preserved the manual operation
'89 735i, '91 850i, '81 MB 380SLC (For Sale), Tesla Model 3, and VW Passat TDI -- Yes, I still repair General Modules, DM for info!
Sometimes these can be reset, by pulling the fuse for the module (I forget which fuse number, but it's in the rear fuse box), letting it sit for at least 15 minutes, and then recalibrating the settings by moving the steering wheel full up, full down, full in and full out after reinstalling the fuse. If that doesn't work, these modules show up on ebay every so often for a decent price (compared to new). They are relatively easy to replace -- it's located in the center of the dash, behind the central vent. Just don't break your vent taking it out.
Mike Barrett
Mike Barrett
94 850CSi, Hellrot over silbergrau dunkel/silbergrau hell
96 850Ci, Oxfordgrun over silbergrau hell
I would NOT recommend removing the brittle center vent to access the module. It is totally doable through the MID opening. You just undo the two phillips screws that secure the bracket, unplug the connections once it is free, and finagle it out of the opening. Much quicker and less risky than dealing with that vent!
Is the center vent available? I have a couple small cracks in mine.
I think so, not sure how many $800 vents they have sold over the years
What "thumbs up" really means
I am unable to find the center vent in Real OEM. Does anybody know the part number or can direct me to which diagram?
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=64_0635
Item number 1.
Mike Barrett
Mike Barrett
94 850CSi, Hellrot over silbergrau dunkel/silbergrau hell
96 850Ci, Oxfordgrun over silbergrau hell
Thanks Mike.
'91 Dinan 860 Stage III (new 6L engine)
'91 Dinan 850 TT stage III (brand new engine) 21st Century Tech meets 18th Century Dinan...
'91 850i 6sp (mint) (sold)
'90 Dinan 750iL TT stage III (Guido - The Beast)
'94 850 CSi The Detroit Auto Show car (restored to factory perfect) (sold)
'96 850Ci, The George Carlin car
''73 3.0 csi, '08 535i, '03 X5 4.6is
...and a few other non BMW cars
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