Driver's seat back angle will not move

[Russell]

I just noticed my driver's seat back will not move. Headrest goes up and down, but the switch will not change the seat angle. I can hear the seat motor run. However, I did have the seat recovered recently. Perhaps something is disconnected. Any ideas? Thanks.

[632 Regal]

Sounds like a cable issue. You have 2 cables for the seat back attached to the motors with a small bolt. You will need to tilt the seat back to get access after unbolting the rear from the floor. If you are unsure do a search for the common seat tilt problem. It is possible that the inner cables are too short but kind of unlikely if both sides wont move.

[Russell]

My thoughts exactly. Wonder how much the shop had the seat apart to replace the seat covers. Perhaps they forgot to connect the seat back cables.

[632 Regal]

Hahaha.. It could be that easy! Might have disconnected them and used a drill to get more room to attach the covers.

[shogun]

Just move the seat forward till you have access to the 2 bolts at the reail in the rear, take them out and then you can lift it forward and can inspect from underneath. Repair of bowden cables is on my website.

[Russell]

Starting to check it out. Seat still in car. Cables are connected. I am now thinking the adjuster motor has failed. It is making a sound (not like the other motors) but may not be functioning. I have an extra set of seat motors from an extra passenger seat. It should work, if needed.

[shogun]

Just pay attention, the motors may look from outside the same, but the gears inside are different, I disassembled some in my E32 with memory seats. See here http://www.e38.org/e32/BMW_pdfs/smm.pdf

[Russell]

Thanks for the advice. I will. The extra motors I have that control the tilt and I believe the rear seat bottom are both the same part number. I also just noticed on real OEM there is volt regulator for the backrest adjuster. Wonder that that tis for?

[Russell]

still have not worked on the seat issue. Next week.

[Russell]

Got lazy, real lazy, took the seat out, started work to fix the seat back and decided i did not have the patience that day to mess with it. Took it, without the car, to my indy they fixed with no problems.