Driver seat depth thigh adjustment lumbar contour switch

The cover was missing so I ordered part 61318366506. (pic1)
But how do I get the old one out (Pic2), do I just pull it? worried about breaking it.
Thanks for your help.

Originally Posted by Farris530i

how do I get the old one out

I just did a search in the bestlinks for "seat cover" to find this, among others:
- E39 seat cover panel DIY:

In addition, I ran an E39-only title-only search for "seat cover" to find this:

Thanks for reply I read those previous posts, and came across the attached parts diagram.
So that part I need to replace is part 1 in the diagram. Does part 1 fit into part 5?
What is a Universal socket housing uncoded ? I have a feeling this is what is securing the switch (part1) in place.
My basic question is how do I remove part 1 , is it just a matter of pulling it off?, or do I need a special BMW tool?

Deleted - wrong information.

Originally Posted by Farris530i

My basic question is how do I remove part 1 , is it just a matter of pulling it off?

I don't know if I understand your question - and I haven't touched the seat cover since 2008 - but looking back over the first thread I suggested, I see that the furthest forward switch on the outside of my driver seat cover simply pulls out of an electrical box which is itself attached to the inside of the seat cover.

Here is a picture of my driver side seat cover pulled away from the seat itself showing the forward most switch knob attached to the outside of the seat cover.


Here is the same seat cover with the switch knob pried off with a screwdriver, as already shown in that first thread I referenced.


And, lastly, here is that same seat cover, showing the inside connection which is what that front most switch knob was attached to.

NOTE: Ignore the text on the picture as the question was answered in that thread.


And, here is another picture of my control module where I discussed the various part numbers listed (again in that same thread):



Having said all that, you may be talking about this front-most (unused on my car) switch knob location. I can't tell from your description though.



After having said all that, you must realize nothing I said above is new as it's all in that thread I referenced.

So, if that thread that I referenced and which you already read doesn't answer your question - might you be able to clarify the question in light of what is already referenced?

Hi bluebee, the switch I am having trouble with is the front most switch, which is unused in your car.

Originally Posted by Farris530i

the switch I am having trouble with is the front most switch, which is unused in your car.

Ah. I started to suspect that as I tried to answer your question.

So you'll need to await a response from someone who has knowledge of that component.

I lieu of that, I would 'suppose' that the arrangement is similar, i.e.:

• I suspect the knob needs to be pried straight out off the posts
• I suspect there is a module clipped on the inside
• That clipped in module is, I suspect, attached to a harness connector

But, I'm just guessing that based on my experience with the 'other' knobs. Let's see what people say (and, of course, it may also be in the Bentleys and in the other DIYs).

G/L

It's not in the Bentley manual.

Originally Posted by Farris530i

The cover was missing so I ordered part 61318366506. (pic1)
But how do I get the old one out (Pic2), do I just pull it? worried about breaking it.
Thanks for your help.

Originally Posted by Farris530i

T...My basic question is how do I remove part 1 , is it just a matter of pulling it off?, or do I need a special BMW tool?

You need to remove the cover from the seat so that you can access and REMOVE the electrical harnesses from the switch(es). From the pic you posted...that is what's preventing the thigh extension switch from being removed.

All of the switches in the seat's cover are secured from the rear side of the cover...some are also pulled away from the rear side, and some like the thigh switch are released from the rear, then push out through the front. See pic below (from Rhett's heated seat DIY on e38.org) on how to remove the rocker switches (he's removing the upper articulating back switch...but the thigh extension switch is designed and released the same way:

Look at the switches (not the buttons) in Bluebees pics below...seen are the large seat switch (rectangle) and the round lumbar switch...both are attached to the rear. And if you look to the left of the large seat switch...you can see the 2 tabs that are holding the plastic cover where the ROCKER switch goes (#1 in diagram) that controls the thigh extension feature. The 2 way rocker switch don't have "removable buttons" so the whole thing is secured from the rear, then pushed out toward the front (once clip is released). The large regular seat switch is the only one with removable buttons that come off/go on from the front side of the cover. If your seats don't have all of the seat's possible features...then it has a "fill-in" plug...which is also secured from the rear. If you've pulled the switch out from the front without releasing the spring clip, you may have broken the cover and will need a new one for the switch to fit properly...so make sue the cover isn't broken.

The seat cover has a place for 4 switches...which depends on what features your seats have...again ALL of them are secured from the rear side of the seat cover.:

• 2-way (rocker) thigh extension switch (#1 in diagram but has a different part nbr vs the articulating upper back switch)
• 10-way basic seat switch (big rectangular one) (#7 in diagram for driver's side)
• 4-way round lumbar switch (#10 in diagram)
• 2-way (rocker) articulating upper back switch (#1 in diagram...but has a different part nbr vs the thigh switch)

When you see these diagrams like the one below...more than likely its from www.realoem.com & if you go to that site to look up the diagram...you will see that there is a part nbr index below the diagram. So if you don't understand what you see in the diagram...look it up so that you can see what the part is...or if it applies to your car. If an item in the diagram is NOT listed in the part nbr index...then that part is NOT used on your car...especially if you used your car's VIN to get to the diagram. For instance #5 is NOT used on the e39...they are used on the e38 for the REAR electric seats and/or head rests:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...15&hg=61&fg=35

Here's a link to one of Qsilver7's posts from one of Bluebee's threads.

Originally Posted by Steve530

It's not in the Bentley manual.

Drat. I wonder if it's in the TIS.
- Where to find the BMW TIS for technical service bulletins (1) (2) & an on-line WDS (1)

Originally Posted by QSilver7

some like the thigh switch are released from the rear, then push out through the front. See pic below (from Rhett's heated seat DIY on e38.org) on how to remove the rocker switches

So others benefit, I'll add a pointer to your wonderful information (as always) in the thread I had referenced prior.

Originally Posted by Steve530

Here's a link to one of Qsilver7's posts from one of Bluebee's threads.

Here are the pictures (only) from that thread, so that they don't get lost.

Thanks Qsilver7's, spot on.

Glad I could help...and thanks for checking back with an update. It's a good thing when a thread has a resolution.