[andyg_prs]

Hi there,

I'm planning on swapping my driver's seat for one that has the electronic lumbar support. My seat is completely manual.

I went through a process of seeing how much BMW would charge to retrofit lumbar support but it was £219 in parts and £575 in labour!

However I found out from them that there are 'low' and 'high' wiring modules. Because my car has electric back windows apparently that means I have the 'high' module and in theory there should a wiring loom under the driver's seat carpet to plug my electric lumbar cable into.

Speaking to an indie, he was concerned that if I swapped the seat for a completely electric one (eg not just the lumbar pump) that I might need some kind of ECU to be fitted.

Does anyone know what 'gotchas' I might come up against or things I should consider in terms of installing seats with complete or partial electrics in place of my current manual ones?

Thanks,
Andy

 

[xXNealXx]

Your car will only have the plugs for an extension loom which then plug into your seats. You will need to fit a seat memory module and get you car coded to accept the seats.

 

[andyg_prs]

Thanks. Is this the loom? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=300298842814

I couldn't find it on realoem.com.

What physically is the seat memory module and where does it get installed?

Also, do I just need that for memory seats as I'm aware of the following options.

1. Manual seats with 4-way electric manual lumbar control (have sourced this one)

2. Electric seats (seat adjustment motors) with or without heating, with or without lumbar control.

3. As above but with memory.

Thanks,
Andy

 

[xXNealXx]

Yes, that's the loom. The seat module gets installed behind the glove box iirc. It is called the memory seat module because it is 2 functions in one...electric seat control and the memory for them. You will have an existing memory module for your mirrors.

 

[andyg_prs]

Thanks Neal. I think from the sound of it if I install a manual seat with just the lumbar control that I will get away without installing the module? I'm seeing a car interior specialist tomorrow who would be installing the seat and swapping the leather over from mine to the new seat when I get it. He knows an ex-BMW technician who I'm hoping might be able to advise more exactly on what my car needs. If it's all too complicated I'm guessing I could just take a standard 12v feed from somewhere as the lumber mechanism is just a pump, valve unit, switch and a couple of inflatable bags....

Cheers,
Andy

 

[xXNealXx]

Are these OEM seats you are fitting?

 

[andyg_prs]

A second hand BMW E46 seat so the genuine article. I'm not aware of anywhere I can buy an actual OEM seat off the shelf?

 

[andyg_prs]

This is the only control module I can see that includes front seats...but says Ended....so confusing...but am wondering if this means that if I have plugs readly for the loom below the front seat at all that it must already be connected to a control module behind the glove box? But i may still need coding....

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AW52&mospid=47673&btnr=61_2123&hg=61&fg=25

 

[xXNealXx]

You can just pop out your glove box and check to see if the module is there, but I'm sure your BMW tech guy will know for sure :thumbsup.

 

[andyg_prs]

Is there a guide anywhere on how to pop out the glovebox? I wouldn't want to break anything....

 

[xXNealXx]

Have a look HERE. LHS, but I'm sure you will get the idea :thumbsup

 

[andyg_prs]

Ok - thanks - but no idea what I'm looking for in this picture? It's what is behind the glove compartment picture taken square on.

View attachment 2713

Thanks
Andy

 

[xXNealXx]

Ok, I did a bit of research, and I think the seat module might be located in the seat itself for your model and year. Only the folding mirror option is fitted behind the gove box.

 

[andyg_prs]

Ok - thanks....always good to learn. Am taking the seat out tomorrow to take a look....I did notice a wire on the underside at the front of the seat...not sure what that is doing as the current seat is totally manual....

 

[andyg_prs]

Had the seat out today. The wire I could see was between the seat belt tensioner and, I assume, the air bag deployment system. We lifted the carpets but couldn't see a sign of any ecu / wiring / plugs anywhere.....