Z3 seats wont move forwards and backwards

[EthanR123]

So I was trying to remove my center center console and moved my seats to the most front position. Now the drivers seat wont go back. There is noise coming from the motor but no movement. Right now they are stuck completely forward and its so uncomfortable to drive. Any help would be great! Thanks . I also don't think I can remove the seat because its completely forward.

 

[AntStark]

If you can, give the motor a light tap with a hammer.

 

[SV8Predator]

And keep moving the switch back and forth, don't be gentle!

 

[ExMX5owner]

I had the same thing happen with mine when I pulled the fuel pump and sender from behind the drivers seat.. Turned out that one side of the seat the seat bushes where cactus, and winding it forward twisted the seat base enough for the motor not to able overcome stiction on wind back.. So with a bit of aggressive wriggling whilst in the seat, with the switch in back position it unstuck itself...Did the seat bushes soon after...No issues since... But if someone else has already done the seat bushes and the drive nuts were misaligned, the same can happen, I learnt that the hard way...

 

[Pond]

And keep moving the switch back and forth, don't be gentle!

That is terrible advice! Having had the switches apart and seeing how they operate and what they are made from, I would not advise being anything but gentle with them.

 

[ExMX5owner]

That is terrible advice! Having had the switches apart and seeing how they operate and what they are made from, I would not advise being anything but gentle with them.

If the motor is trying, the switch is fine..these little motors are wound to have far more torque going up the rails towards the steering wheel as they have to guide the fall back.Important if your a 140kg ..So yes they can tie themselves in knots, on the forward end stops. As I said, I worked this out the hard way..

 

[Mazza]

I did have a similar problem with a seat for a guy local to me. But I could see the two front nuts looking down along the rails. It took about 3 hours to unbolt them using a long spanner, moving them a fraction at a time, but it did work.

The other thing which may help? …. If its forward you should be able to get to the two rear bolts ….if these are removed, would that give you any movement to help realign the seat to free it up….?.

 

[EthanR123]

I had to do the old drill trick haha. But I got it off and it’s all fine now! Thanks for the help.

 

[ExMX5owner]

I had to do the old drill trick haha. But I got it off and it’s all fine now! Thanks for the help.

Good to hear ...that means that the drive nuts were and probably and still are misaligned , something to put on the white board next time your seats are out for any reason..