Results 1 to 21 of 21

Thread: Seat problem

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    West Sussex England
    Posts
    27
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 1.9 Roadster

    Angry Seat problem

    Hi all, I’m new to this forum and looking for some help.

    I have a 1998 Z3 1.9 Roadster. Just put a meter on the passenger seat wiring to confirm that the forward/backward motor is broken. I need to remove the seat to either repair or replace it, but How?????
    The motor doesn’t work so I can’t make the seat for forwards and backwards to get access to the bolts that fix it in the car.

    How can I get the seat out?????

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Denver, Colorado
    Posts
    1,922
    My Cars
    MRster / Z4 M4i / X5 M50
    I have not needed to do it, but the motor can be turned by hand to move the seat forward and backward to get to the bolts. Try a google search for bmw z3 seat motor won't work or something similar. You should get many hits.
    2002 M Roadster, Steel Gray Metailic, Gray Nappa Leather, Black Soft Top, Steel Gray Metailic Hard Top, TC Kline Double Adj Shocks with H&R Springs, Stromung Exhaust, SSR Type C Wheels. Looking for a new home.

    2022 Z4 M40i, Misano Blue Metallic, Prem Pkg, Driver Assistance Pkg

    2023 X5 M50, Phytonic Blue, Black Extended Merion Leather, Driving Asst Pro Pkg, Park Asst Pkg, Exec Pkg, Climate Comfort Pkg.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Arida Zona
    Posts
    30,108
    My Cars
    z3
    Yeah if the other motor to raise the seat works raise it as high as you can, then you should be able to see the motor and try to work it from therr

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    West Sussex England
    Posts
    27
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 1.9 Roadster
    Thank you for your help. Did a search and found a method of moving manually.
    Hopefully will be able to get the seat out now and get the repair done ��

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Louisville, KY
    Posts
    4,503
    My Cars
    1997 BMW Z3 1.9L 5MT
    Quote Originally Posted by Malmo View Post
    ... the forward/backward motor is broken... so I can’t make the seat for forwards and backwards to get access to the bolts... How can I get the seat out?????
    Some threads on that, in case you have not already found them:
    http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...87&postcount=6
    http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=693509
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...8#post25850328
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...t-move-forward
    BMW MOA 696, BMW CCA 1405

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    West Sussex England
    Posts
    27
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 1.9 Roadster
    Not seen these before.
    All good useful info.
    Many thanks

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    West Sussex England
    Posts
    27
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 1.9 Roadster
    Update
    Worked on it today and took 20 mins to get the seat out.
    Motor is duff! No continuity through the coil. So need to find a replacement.
    As I had intended to put heat pads in to the seats, I think I will take out the other seat and centre console tomorrow, strip the seats down and get the pads fitted while I try to find a replacement motor.
    All good fun

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Kent, Ohio
    Posts
    4,431
    My Cars
    1998 M Roadster
    If it hasn't been done already, now would be a good time to replace the seat track bushings. Also a good time to replace the clutch pedal bushings with oiled bronze If you don't have an SRS reset tool, order one now.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Blairstown, NJ, USA
    Posts
    620
    My Cars
    1998 M Roadster
    Quote Originally Posted by Malmo View Post
    As I had intended to put heat pads in to the seats, I think I will take out the other seat and centre console tomorrow, strip the seats down and get the pads fitted while I try to find a replacement motor.
    All good fun
    Why do you want to take the console out?
    Wayne

    1998 M Roadster
    1994 Honda ST1100--sold
    2017 Yamaha FJR1300ES

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    West Sussex England
    Posts
    27
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 1.9 Roadster
    Only had the Zed since November, so will check the bushings. But what is an SRS reset tool?

    - - - Updated - - -

    Need to take the centre console out to find the two red connectors that fit to the heated seat switches. I’ve had the gear stick gaiter off but can see them. Could be under the carpet on the transmission tunnel.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Kent, Ohio
    Posts
    4,431
    My Cars
    1998 M Roadster
    You'd know if you needed seat track bushings-- your seats would rock fore and aft on their tracks--very common problem with a very common fix that only needs done once, so if they don't rock, it's already been done. An SRS reset tool resets the airbag light after you inevitably turn the key on with the seats unplugged.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Louisville, KY
    Posts
    4,503
    My Cars
    1997 BMW Z3 1.9L 5MT
    Quote Originally Posted by Malmo View Post
    Only had the Zed since November, so will check the bushings. But what is an SRS reset tool? Need to take the centre console out to find the two red connectors that fit to the heated seat switches. I’ve had the gear stick gaiter off but can see them. Could be under the carpet on the transmission tunnel.
    The rubber seat bushings liquify with age and let the seats shift back and forth. The movement can only be checked with seats installed, but you can assume the bushings are gone, and with the seats out, you are well on the way to replacing them. See:
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...5#post27698955

    If you have turned you key with the seats out, your will need a gadget to reset the airbag light. The B800 is popular and inexpensive:
    https://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...4542-_-Product
    If you have not used the key, and can keep it away from the car, you will not need the tool.

    For console removal, here's some threads:
    http://www.waycoolinc.com/z3/book/console.html
    http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49984
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...0#post27531340

    If you are going to remove much of the interior, here's a good thread that was posted on two forums:
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ntire-interior
    http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=258312
    BMW MOA 696, BMW CCA 1405

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    West Sussex England
    Posts
    27
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 1.9 Roadster
    I was warned about that light issue. So the ignition key has a reminder label tied to it not to be used until all connections have been done. Seats seem ok but will check everything before they go back in the car.

    I got console out today and found a whole bunch of connectors, two of which are the ones I need for the heated seat switches.

    Thanks for all the links, I will read through them tonight

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Augusta, GA
    Posts
    474
    My Cars
    1999 Z3 M-Roadster, 2007
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Bingley View Post
    If it hasn't been done already, now would be a good time to replace the seat track bushings. Also a good time to replace the clutch pedal bushings with oiled bronze If you don't have an SRS reset tool, order one now.
    It only needs to be done once if the replacement seat bushings are Whalen or some other high quality aftermarket bushings. If you get OEM bushings from BMW you get to do it again. Ask me how I know.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Louisville, KY
    Posts
    4,503
    My Cars
    1997 BMW Z3 1.9L 5MT
    Quote Originally Posted by Malmo View Post
    ... Seats seem ok but will check everything before they go back in the car...
    You mean you did not notice the seats shifting when they were in the car.
    Once the seats are out of the car, you cannot check the bushings except by removing and disassembling the tracks to expose the bushings on their carriers on the screws. At that point you need new bushings in hand.
    This is not about seeming or checking. On a 1997 Z3, the bushings are gone unless someone replaced them with plastic, very unlikely.. Order new plastic bushings and do it while the seats are out.
    Last edited by Vintage42; 01-18-2018 at 07:32 PM.
    BMW MOA 696, BMW CCA 1405

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Kent, Ohio
    Posts
    4,431
    My Cars
    1998 M Roadster
    Quote Originally Posted by JustinHalverson View Post
    It only needs to be done once if the replacement seat bushings are Whalen or some other high quality aftermarket bushings. If you get OEM bushings from BMW you get to do it again. Ask me how I know.
    Tell me it ain't so--how depressing. Still, not as bad as RF who had a whole new trunk floor welded into his car before he invented his kit.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Augusta, GA
    Posts
    474
    My Cars
    1999 Z3 M-Roadster, 2007
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Bingley View Post
    Tell me it ain't so--how depressing. Still, not as bad as RF who had a whole new trunk floor welded into his car before he invented his kit.
    Adversity is the mother of invention? :-)
    Last edited by JustinHalverson; 01-19-2018 at 07:42 AM.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Blairstown, NJ, USA
    Posts
    620
    My Cars
    1998 M Roadster
    Quote Originally Posted by Malmo View Post
    Need to take the centre console out to find the two red connectors that fit to the heated seat switches. I’ve had the gear stick gaiter off but can see them. Could be under the carpet on the transmission tunnel.
    Anyone who takes a console out has my admiration. I did it last year and hope to never have to do it again. Congratulations on finding the connectors for the switches.
    Wayne

    1998 M Roadster
    1994 Honda ST1100--sold
    2017 Yamaha FJR1300ES

  19. #19
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    SW Florida
    Posts
    12,681
    My Cars
    99-01 M Cpe & Rdts, X5M
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Bingley View Post
    Tell me it ain't so--how depressing. Still, not as bad as RF who had a whole new trunk floor welded into his car before he invented his kit.
    A little clarification is in order here.

    Because BMWNA took so long to authorize the repair of my car(s), I had the time to design and construct the first couple of prototypes__the cars were going to get fixed one way or another.

    I had my reinforcement pieces laying in the trunk of my black car__the '99 M Rdstr__when I took it in to have the trunkfloor assembly replaced, and the then twenty (>20) year veteran of BMW collision repairs/factory schools gave his unofficial endorsement when he declared that if he put in the reinforcement, I'd never look back (i., e., the car being repaired once and for all). He stated that the trunkfloor assembly had never been updated__despite any rumors to the contrary__and that in a few years, the car would exhibit the same faults all over again. That exact point was proven when a Chicago M Rdstr owner had the floor replaced TWICE under warranty, and when the thrid (3rd) one failed, he brought the car to me.

    So, both of my M Rdstrs ('99 & '01) still have their manufactured with trunk floors, and have been reinforced with the pieces that I produced, and installed by a BMW factory trained mechanician while the cars were still under their respective warranties (CPO & New Car).

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Trumansburg, NY
    Posts
    121
    My Cars
    1999 BMW Z3 M Roadster
    Also had a non-working seat motor. With the motor out noticed there was a do not dis-assemble (or similar) embossment/tag. So you know what I had to do. When apart the problem was obvious, brush was cocked in the holder. Cleaned up the brushes and commutator, stuck the brushes back in their holders and never another problem in 5 plus years. If you are going to trash it any way what have you got to lose but some time. The time is keeping the brushes open while pushing the commutator through. If you would prefer you could get the motor rebuilt at
    Ace Armature
    683 Mineral Spring Ave
    Pawtucket, RI 02860
    Ask for Norman

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Camden, NY
    Posts
    13
    My Cars
    2006 BMW 325xi
    Just what I was looking for. Thank you.

Similar Threads

  1. Drivers side heated seat problem
    By Caymandiver75 in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 11-05-2010, 12:53 PM
  2. Heated seat problems
    By mr happy in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 10-06-2004, 11:16 AM
  3. Power Seat Problem, tell me why
    By cleoent in forum General BMW Mechanical Help sponsored by RM European Auto Parts
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-19-2002, 01:18 PM
  4. Side shifter seat problem
    By 318is-joe in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10-02-2001, 08:48 PM
  5. sport seats problem
    By kbouter in forum General BMW and Automotive Discussion sponsored by Intercity Lines
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 05-23-2001, 05:21 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •