BMW 7 Series Seat Controls Dead, Memory & Manual Failure

Hi there! I have some experience with cars and had a similar issue with my 2005 BMW 5 series diesel (my previous car before switching to a 3 series). The seat controls completely stopped working on mine too. After a diagnostic scan, my mechanic found it was just a loose connection in the wiring harness under the seat. Some cables had worked themselves loose over time and weren't making proper contact anymore. Total repair cost was 95 Euro to fix the connections and check all the seat control functions. Can you share which specific error code you're getting? Also, does this happen on both front seats or just one? This info would help figure out if you're dealing with the same issue I had. Quick tip: Before heading to a workshop, check if the seat fuse is blown, it's a common and cheap fix if you're lucky!

Thanks for sharing your experience! My situation sounds pretty similar to what you described. I've got 30885 KM on the clock since my latest service, and it's happening on both front seats. Haven't checked the fuse yet, that's a great suggestion and definitely worth trying first. The error code I'm getting is E-4587 (seat control module communication fault). The weird thing is, it started right after I adjusted the seat position last week. Both memory and manual controls just completely died at once. Really hoping it's just a loose connection like in your case, as that sounds like a much cheaper fix than replacing the whole control module!

Hey again! Thanks for sharing those additional details. Your case sounds even more similar to what I experienced with my old BMW 5 series now that you've mentioned the error code and symptoms. That E-4587 code is exactly what I got! And just like yours, my issue also started suddenly after adjusting the seat. The timing of both seats failing at once actually makes me more confident it could be the wiring harness issue I encountered. One thing I noticed before getting mine fixed, the connection problem got worse when moving the seat back and forth, which put extra strain on those already loose wires. The fact that both your seats stopped working simultaneously suggests it might be a common connection point rather than individual seat motors. Definitely check that fuse first though, wish I'd done that before getting all worried about it! If the fuse looks good, have your mechanic check the wiring connections under the seats, particularly where the harness bends when the seat moves. In my case, the insulation had worn away at one of these bend points, causing intermittent connection issues before it failed completely. Let me know how the fuse check goes. Would be great if you could avoid the workshop visit altogether!

Thanks so much for the detailed follow-up! I just checked the fuse box and all the seat-related fuses look fine, no blown ones there. But your mention of the wire harness bending points really got my attention. I actually crawled under the seat with a flashlight and noticed some pretty worn-looking spots on the wiring where it flexes near the seat base. You've saved me from panicking about needing a whole new control module! I'll get my mechanic to check those specific areas you mentioned. Makes total sense that both seats went out if it's at a common connection point. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it's given me a much clearer idea of what I'm dealing with. I'll post an update once I get it sorted!