Electric steering column not working

Chri5v8 · Post by **Chri5v8** » Sun Mar 02, 2025 5:24 pm

Good afternoon
My steering column won’t adjust.
All fuses are in tact I believe.
Could it be the switch on the column??

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Mar 02, 2025 9:39 pm

Could be, if it won’t adjust at all. The function can be coded out, so that may have been done. It’s also linked to seat memory and driven by the same module. Are the seat memory functions working?

There are two drive motors and drive shafts that move everything. You need to remove the lower column cover shroud (it pulls downward once you remove the screws) and the dash trim below that to get to them (also just needs a few screws removing). Sometimes changing the battery can upset the system too. It should (or would if working) be reset by selecting fully in and fully up, then fully out.

Chri5v8 · Post by **Chri5v8** » Mon Mar 03, 2025 12:21 am

Seat functions all work fine. It’s only the steering column.
Typically it’s a bit low atm otherwise I’d just leave it

Alan Gunn · Post by **Alan Gunn** » Mon Mar 03, 2025 4:45 am

When i first got my e53 2002 3.0d i had that problem.
Seat memories working ???.
The magic reset fixed mine but it only got done as the battery wasn't that good and i changed it.

Chri5v8 · Post by **Chri5v8** » Mon Mar 03, 2025 10:15 am

Magic reset??

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Mar 03, 2025 5:47 pm

Remove the battery for 30 minutes. Disconnect +ve and -ve sides from the battery and touch the cables together to completely kill all voltages in the car. Wait 30 mins and reconnect. It was the ‘standard’ answer for many ‘issues’ 20 years ago.

If your battery is also low or on the way out (6 years or more old) then that may also need charging/replacing, I think you’ve previously said the battery is new?

Chri5v8 · Post by **Chri5v8** » Mon Mar 03, 2025 6:55 pm

Yeah my battery completely died a few weeks back.
It was sat for maybe 4-5 days like this.
Is it still worth trying??

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Mar 03, 2025 7:41 pm

Absolutely worth trying. It won’t cost you anything. The E53 was well known for suffering all kinds of oddities if the battery went bad. Some of the error messages caused significant frights! The magic reset was very often successful.

Alan Gunn · Post by **Alan Gunn** » Tue Mar 04, 2025 5:33 am

Do the mirrors move at all when you select a different memory button.
The memory panel/control failing will also stop the steering adjustment from working.
When you set the memory buttons up they will remember seat mirror and steering positions.

Chri5v8 · Post by **Chri5v8** » Sat Mar 22, 2025 8:01 am

Ok I don’t know if it changes the problem??
My memory seats don’t work.
The red light comes on but nothing stores.
What’s the easiest fix??

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Mar 22, 2025 9:09 am

This is beginning to look like the seat control module may have partly failed, or the data cable isn’t plugged in. The module that the switches are mounted on is at the side of the seat. It also controls the steering column via a cable. Worth having a look under the seat. If you are taking the seat out then you need to disconnect the battery first if you have seat airbags. Failures are quite common.

The link below might be useful….

https://www.bmwgm5.com/E53_MemorySeatModule.htm

The module has ceased production for RHD vehicles.

Chri5v8 · Post by **Chri5v8** » Sat Mar 22, 2025 9:50 am

I’ll check to see if there plugged in.
Although no longer produced what’s the chances of getting a module?? Second hand maybe ok but may have the same issue

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Mar 22, 2025 10:36 am

It may depend upon seat type. I’ve checked the parts system and some modules were still shown as available but back in 2019. I had Comfort Seats in mine, but there are ‘Standard’ and ‘Sport’ showing as well.

Do you know which seats you have? A VIN check on something like mdecoder on line should tell you the build version and options in your car. Realoem will tell you the part number to look for for that option.

Some versions were also used a Range Rover L322 so there ought to be plenty about.

For new, you are looking at about £300 for the module. Used ones abound on the usual auction sites.

Chri5v8 · Post by **Chri5v8** » Sat Mar 22, 2025 12:23 pm

Mine are showing as sports seats

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Mar 22, 2025 2:37 pm

I think you are looking for Part number 61317119868 which shows as the last version for Sport Seats. It’s available used.

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