E39 Steering wheel/seat stopped working..help!

[m3brendan]

Hey guys- seach is not showing up, so does anyone have the easy anwer I'm looking for? Went out to the car tonight and when I put the key in and turned, the steering wheel did not move into position like it normally does. The drivers seat controls also stopped working, but everything else seems fine. Is there a certain relay or fuse that could be the culprit. Unfortunately, my car didn't come with the owner's manual. Thanks alot in advance.

Brendan

[betep]

Mine does the same thing sometimes, but then it starts working again.
Same thing with A/C and heater.

[gemarron]

Mine is now doing the same thing and fuse 13 which shows that its for both stearing and drivers seat changed and is good.................HELP!

[Htownmobaudio]

did u try wiggling the steering wheel .. it might be the safety feature locked up

[Steve530]

Hey guys- seach is not showing up, so does anyone have the easy anwer I'm looking for? Went out to the car tonight and when I put the key in and turned, the steering wheel did not move into position like it normally does. The drivers seat controls also stopped working, but everything else seems fine. Is there a certain relay or fuse that could be the culprit. Unfortunately, my car didn't come with the owner's manual. Thanks alot in advance.

Brendan

I have unplugged my seat control switch because there was a short that was causing the battery to drain. You might want to check the connector and switch.

[Steve530]

Mine does the same thing sometimes, but then it starts working again.
Same thing with A/C and heater.

If the A/C problem is that the blower fan sometimes does not operate, you probably neeed a final stage unit.

[rjp528]

An unplugged seat control switch will give you that problem. We usually see broken plastic side seat trim panels that move and unplug the seat control switch.

[scbimmer]

Where is this control switch located? Just wondering.

[OGM3]

An unplugged seat control switch will give you that problem. We usually see broken plastic side seat trim panels that move and unplug the seat control switch.

Wise advice.

This happened to mine. I believe you need a 30 torx head socket to get the side cover off. I sprayed mine off with electrical cleaning spray and firmly re-plugged it back in. Seat and wheel have worked great ever since.

good luck

[Qsilver7]

Where is this control switch located? Just wondering.

its the switch behind the largest seat control button on your drivers seat. When you remove the plastic surround from the seat...you gain access to it...or you might be able to reach underneath if the seat isn't all the way down on the floor.

But as it was stated...if the plastic surround is not secure or gets leaned/pushed on...it may break...and if it does break...the wiring harness attached to that switch may work its way free as you (and other drivers) press against it upon entry and exit of the vehicle.

See #7 in the diagram below and the (largest) seat switch on the far left in 2nd pic below: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...15&hg=61&fg=35

[Oxfordm97]

My 528i is blowing the number 13 fuse and the drivers seat and the steering wheel quit working afterwards i believe it to be a shorted wire because i replaced the switch on the side because of it being broken. does anyone know any different solutions?