Seat motor fault

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Alan W
Joined: Thu 20 Jun, 2013 10:56
Posts: 670

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Bexley, Kent UK

Seat motor fault

Post by Alan W »

The passenger seat of my Zed appears to have a fault...

It moves backwards and forwards okay but not up and down.

When I push the switch up or down I can feel and hear a dull thud like the motor trying to start then nothing happens?

I am therefore guessing that the mechanism is seized rather than the motor defective?

Is this common - and more importantantly - easy to rectify?

Thank you

Alan
1999 facelit Z3 Roadster 2.8 Auto in Cosmos Black aka 'Gloria'
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Kornknarr
Joined: Fri 05 Aug, 2011 19:07
Posts: 169

  M roadster S50
Location: Uppsala, Sweden
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Re: Seat motor fault

Post by Kornknarr »

On mine 2.8 it was stuck in one of the extreme positions. I don't remember exactly what I did but I remember it was fairly easy - loosen the seat and get the mechanism loose with a pair of pliers, grease it up, and then it worked perfectly.

I did not loosen any of the electrical wiring to do this just loosened the seat so I could tilt it and get access.

Too loosen the seat, have the seat in upright position, take it as far back as possible, unscrew and remove the front nuts, move the seat extreme forward and loosen the rear bolts. If I remember correctly you need a 13 mm socket for the nuts in front and a 17 mm in the back. The ones in the back can be a bit of a problem to access, and do check for small stones in the grooves around the bolt that otherwise will hinder your socket to get a grip.
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Seat motor fault

Post by Southernboy »

If it doesn't come right, contact Stupot on the forum...he is considering breaking a Z3...you could get all the spares from him.
"Normal is overrated"
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Alan W
Joined: Thu 20 Jun, 2013 10:56
Posts: 670

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Bexley, Kent UK

Re: Seat motor fault

Post by Alan W »

Thanks for the heads up Southernboy, do you know what year / model / body colour / trim colour?
1999 facelit Z3 Roadster 2.8 Auto in Cosmos Black aka 'Gloria'
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Alan W
Joined: Thu 20 Jun, 2013 10:56
Posts: 670

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Bexley, Kent UK

Re: Seat motor fault

Post by Alan W »

And thanks Kornknarr for the guide to removal :P
1999 facelit Z3 Roadster 2.8 Auto in Cosmos Black aka 'Gloria'
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: Seat motor fault

Post by Southernboy »

I think all the seats are the same as far as motors go...so it isn't an issue in that respect. Stupot's post is on the current list of topics...so you can PM him and get first dibs on seat motors... :wink:
"Normal is overrated"
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Brian H
Joined: Tue 16 Dec, 2008 19:55
Posts: 2505

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Seat motor fault

Post by Brian H »

Your seat motor will be fine, sit on the seat and flick the seat button up and down quite a few times, the mechanism has gone to the end of its travel and got stuck but should release with a bit of patience.
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Brian H
Joined: Tue 16 Dec, 2008 19:55
Posts: 2505

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Seat motor fault

Post by Brian H »

Southernboy wrote:I think all the seats are the same as far as motors go...so it isn't an issue in that respect. ......
Correct, they are even interchangeable but the coloured wires on the motors will be wrong.
Alan W
Joined: Thu 20 Jun, 2013 10:56
Posts: 670

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Bexley, Kent UK

Re: Seat motor fault

Post by Alan W »

Your seat motor will be fine, sit on the seat and flick the seat button up and down quite a few times, the mechanism has gone to the end of its travel and got stuck but should release with a bit of patience
Tried this to no avail so unbolted seat this morning and had a look underneath, the seat was is its fully raised position and the 'screw' was locked tight. Unbolted the pin bolt and with a bit of grunt its all freed off and working fine. Will just make sure that I dont let any passenegers move the seat to fully up or down in case it happens again. What causes this to happen - lack of use?
1999 facelit Z3 Roadster 2.8 Auto in Cosmos Black aka 'Gloria'
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Brian H
Joined: Tue 16 Dec, 2008 19:55
Posts: 2505

  Z3 roadster 3.0i

Re: Seat motor fault

Post by Brian H »

Lack of use and lubrication will cause the seat mechanism to stick, I have had this a few times on my drivers seat but luckily managed to release it with the switch.
henrycrun
Joined: Wed 18 Apr, 2007 19:48
Posts: 522

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Ely

Re: Seat motor fault

Post by henrycrun »

Does anyone have a way of limiting the max seat height (to ensure that it doesn't jam some time later on) ?
peter2b
Joined: Sat 01 Nov, 2014 18:47
Posts: 963

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: cheshire

Re: Seat motor fault

Post by peter2b »

just found this item. my drivers seat went back and forth OK but not up or down , sat in seat flipped switch up/down quickly bingo now work fine,great help cheers
peter2b
Joycey
Joined: Mon 11 Jul, 2011 22:15
Posts: 290

  M roadster S52
Location: Basingstoke

Re: Seat motor fault

Post by Joycey »

If you need any parts i have two seat bases with all the parts sat in my garage.

Lee
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Davejue1
Joined: Sun 22 Sep, 2013 07:25
Posts: 1249

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Mansfield

Re: Seat motor fault

Post by Davejue1 »

Joycey wrote:If you need any parts i have two seat bases with all the parts sat in my garage.

Lee
Don't you need to be flogging them to Ash! :D
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ashbandicoot
Joined: Sat 23 Nov, 2013 12:31
Posts: 7

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: Seat motor fault

Post by ashbandicoot »

I'm on here too Dave :evil:

Ash
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Davejue1
Joined: Sun 22 Sep, 2013 07:25
Posts: 1249

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Mansfield

Re: Seat motor fault

Post by Davejue1 »

ashbandicoot wrote:I'm on here too Dave :evil:

Ash
Lol I know!! :D
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"Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!"
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