BMW i4 Seat Adjustment Failure: Electronics Issue Alert

Hey there! I have some experience with EVs and had a very similar issue with my 2020 BMW iX3 (I also own an i3). I faced the exact same problem, seat adjustments not working properly and error codes popping up. Turned out the main battery was heavily discharged, which affected the seat control module. The workshop diagnosed it using their BMW-specific diagnostic tool and had to recharge and recalibrate the system. Total bill came to 290 Euro, but it's been working perfectly since then. The techs explained that EVs can sometimes have these quirks when the battery gets too low. What's your current battery charge level? Also, are you getting any specific error messages on the display? This info would help me understand if you're dealing with the same issue I had. PS: If you haven't already, I'd recommend getting it checked at a workshop that specializes in BMW EVs, as these electrical gremlins can be tricky to diagnose.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My i4 is at 55781 KM and had its latest service just 2 months ago. The issue seems different from yours though, my battery charge has been consistently above 80% when these problems occur. I'm getting fault code B7F6D8 specifically related to the seat module. Called my service advisor and they suspect it might be a wiring harness problem, but wanted to check if anyone in the community had similar experiences before taking it in. Has anyone else encountered this specific error code? Really hoping it won't be too complex of a fix.

Hey again! Thanks for providing those details about your i4. Yeah, you're right, this does sound different from what I experienced with my iX3. The fact that you're getting that specific fault code B7F6D8 with a healthy battery charge definitely points to something else. Actually, after my initial seat issue was fixed, I did have another similar problem about 6 months later, but it was more like what you're describing. Turned out it wasn't the wiring harness in my case, it was actually a faulty seat control module. The symptoms were identical to what you're describing, no adjustment with ignition, profiles only working after start-up, the whole deal. The service center initially thought it was the wiring too, but during diagnostics, they found the module itself was the culprit. Cost me around 400 Euro to replace, but at least it was a straightforward fix. Much better than having to deal with a wiring harness issue, which could have been more complex and expensive. Have you noticed any intermittent behavior with the seat adjustments? Like, does it sometimes work normally and then stop? That might help narrow it down. Either way, given your specific error code, I'd say get it checked soon, these things tend to get worse if left alone.

Thanks a lot for that detailed follow-up! That's really helpful to know about your experience with the control module, I'm actually starting to think that might be what's happening with mine too. The symptoms are nearly identical to what you described. I've noticed the seat adjustments do work intermittently, especially early in the morning when the car's been sitting overnight. It'll work fine for maybe 5-10 minutes, then stop responding completely. After your explanation about the module being the culprit in your case, this pattern makes more sense. I've gone ahead and scheduled an appointment with my service center for next week. I'll make sure to mention your experience with the faulty control module, might help them diagnose it faster. Really hoping it's just the module and not the wiring harness! The 400 euro fix you mentioned sounds much better than what I was imagining. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience. It's really helpful knowing someone else has dealt with and resolved such a similar issue.