[M_Bimmer]

Transplanting a BMW seat into a non-BMW has been done...I've helped others do this, but....depending on the seat configuration, your success level will differ.

1. If the seat buttons that work via the LIN Bus is mounted on the seat, you will retain seat mechanical adjustability, by applying power and ground to the main harness coming into the seat via the yellow connector. All other functions that have seat functions controlled external from the seat, will be lost...massage, heat, memory, etc.

2. If the seat buttons are mounted on the vehicles door or off seat, transplanting them into a non-BMW vehicle will be impossible. The LIN Bus requires the LIN Bus controller module, and for more modern BMW"s is the JBE, which is not transplantable into a non-BMW vehicle.

If you provide the chassis code of the 745Li, I can provide a definite answer one way or the other, and provide help if it's even remotely possible.

 

[M_Bimmer]

Assuming your host vehicle is a 2003 745Li, then it's an E66, which changed seat wiring at 02/2003 and again at 03/2006. In your case, not knowing what production month of your E66 will make it that much harder.

So my information is based on wiring in the E66 between 02/2003 through 02/2006, and will only be for the left seat...right seat will be similar, but have difference references and wire color codes.

The chassis wiring harness that plugs into the seat module (A187), is as follows should have a primary connector as follows (X275) that is primary battery power, chassis ground and K-CAN bus:

X275, pin 5 = K_CAN_PL, blue wire, no stripe (0.35 mm diameter core)
X275, pin 6 = K_CAN_PH, blue wire, violet stripe (0.35 mm diameter core)
X275, pin 7 = +12VDC, red wire, brown stripe (4.00 mm diameter core = 30Amp capability)
X275, pin 8 = Chassis Ground, brown wire, no stripe (4.00 mm diameter core = 30Amp capability)

A187 Seat module, front left
Plug connector overview

Number	X-pin, color	Description
X275	8-pin, black	Component connector Seat module, front left
X13532	26-pin, black	Component connector Seat module, front left
X18178	5-pin, black	Component connector Seat module, front left
X13536	5-pin, natural	Component connector Seat module, front left
X13896	4-pin, green	Component connector Seat module, front left
X13534	20-pin, black	Component connector Seat module, front left
X13898	4-pin, blue	Component connector Seat module, front left
X13902	4-pin, green	Component connector Seat module, front left
X13900	4-pin, green	Component connector Seat module, front left

Pin assignments X275

Pin	Type	Description /Signal type	Connection /Measuring notes
1		Not used
2		Not used
3		Not used
4		Not used
5	A/E	Bus signal	CAN-bus connector
6	A/E	Bus signal	CAN-bus connector
7	E	Supply, terminal 30	Fuse distribution box
8	M	Ground	Ground point

Pin assignments X13532

Pin	Type	Description /Signal type	Connection /Measuring notes
1	A	Signal, fan motor	Fan motor, seat cushion
2	A	Positive supply, fan motor	Fan motor, seat cushion
3	M	Ground, fan motor	Fan motor, seat cushion
4	M	Lumbar support, active seat pump, changeover signal	Lumbar support-active seat drive unit, driver
5	M	Valve block for lumbar support, negative	Valve block, front left lumbar support
6		Not used
7		Not used
8		Not used
9		Not used
10		Not used
11	E	Signal, pressure sensor	Driver's active seat
12		Not used
13		Not used
14	A	Signal, fan motor	Fan motor, backrest
15	A	Positive supply, fan motor	Fan motor, backrest
16	M	Ground, fan motor	Fan motor, backrest
17	A	Signal, valve 3	Valve block, front left lumbar support
18	A	Signal, valve 4	Valve block, front left lumbar support
19	A	Signal, valve 1	Valve block, front left lumbar support
20	A	Signal, valve 2	Valve block, front left lumbar support
21	A	Lumbar support, active seat pump, positive	Lumbar support-active seat drive unit, driver
22		Not used
23	M	Ground Driver's active seat	Driver's active seat
24	A	Lumbar support, active seat pump, changeover signal	Lumbar support-active seat drive unit, driver
25	A	Cam motor, positive	Driver's active seat
26	E	Cam sensor signal	Driver's active seat

Pin assignments X18178

Pin	Type	Description /Signal type	Connection /Measuring notes
1	A	Signal, rapid heating area	Seat cushion heating, front left
2	E	Signal, heating area sensor	Seat cushion heating, front left
3	E	Signal, heating area sensor	Seat cushion heating, front left
4	A	Signal, rapid heating area	Seat cushion heating, front left
5	A	Signal, remaining heating area	Seat cushion heating, front left

Pin assignments X13536

Pin	Type	Description /Signal type	Connection /Measuring notes
1	A	Signal, rapid heating area	Seat backrest heating, front left
2	E	Signal, heating area sensor	Seat backrest heating, front left
3	E	Signal, heating area sensor	Seat backrest heating, front left
4	A	Signal, rapid heating area	Seat backrest heating, front left
5	A	Signal, remaining heating area	Seat backrest heating, front left

Pin assignments X13896

Pin	Type	Description /Signal type	Connection /Measuring notes
1	A	Signal, motor, seat depth adjustment	Motor, seat depth adjustment, front left
2	E	Hall sensor signal, seat depth adjustment	Motor, seat depth adjustment, front left
3	A	Signal, motor, seat depth adjustment	Motor, seat depth adjustment, front left
4	E	Hall sensor signal, seat depth adjustment	Motor, seat depth adjustment, front left

Pin assignments X13534

Pin	Type	Description /Signal type	Connection /Measuring notes
1	A	Signal, motor, seat backrest adjustment	Motor, backrest angle adjustment, front left
2	E	Hall sensor signal, seat backrest adjustment	Motor, backrest angle adjustment, front left
3	E	Hall sensor signal, seat backrest adjustment	Motor, backrest angle adjustment, front left
4	E	Hall sensor signal, backrest head adjustment	Motor, backrest head adjustment, front left
5	E	Hall sensor signal, backrest head adjustment	Motor, backrest head adjustment, front left
6		Not used
7		Not used
8	E	Hall sensor signal, head restraint adjustment	Motor, head restraint adjustment, front left
9	E	Hall sensor signal, head restraint adjustment	Motor, head restraint adjustment, front left
10	E	Hall sensor signal, backrest width adjustment	Motor, backrest width adjustment, front left
11	E	Hall sensor signal, backrest width adjustment	Motor, backrest width adjustment, front left
12	A	Signal Motor, backrest width adjustment, front left	Motor, backrest width adjustment, front left
13	A	Signal, motor, seat backrest adjustment	Motor, backrest angle adjustment, front left
14	A	Signal, motor, backrest head adjustment	Motor, backrest head adjustment, front left
15	A	Signal, motor, backrest head adjustment	Motor, backrest head adjustment, front left
16		Not used
17		Not used
18	A	Signal, motor, head restraint adjustment	Motor, head restraint adjustment, front left
19	A	Signal, motor, head restraint adjustment	Motor, head restraint adjustment, front left
20	A	Signal Motor, backrest width adjustment, front left	Motor, backrest width adjustment, front left

Pin assignments X13898

Pin	Type	Description /Signal type	Connection /Measuring notes
1	A	Signal, motor, seat tilt adjustment	Motor, seat tilt adjustment, front left
2	E	Hall sensor signal, seat angle adjustment	Motor, seat tilt adjustment, front left
3	A	Signal, motor, seat tilt adjustment	Motor, seat tilt adjustment, front left
4	E	Hall sensor signal, seat angle adjustment	Motor, seat tilt adjustment, front left

Pin assignments X13902

Pin	Type	Description /Signal type	Connection /Measuring notes
1	A	Signal, motor, seat forward/backward adjustment	Motor, seat forward/backward adjustment, front left
2	E	Hall sensor signal, seat forward/backward adjustment	Motor, seat forward/backward adjustment, front left
3	A	Signal, motor, seat forward/backward adjustment	Motor, seat forward/backward adjustment, front left
4	E	Hall sensor signal, seat forward/backward adjustment	Motor, seat forward/backward adjustment, front left

Pin assignments X13900

Pin	Type	Description /Signal type	Connection /Measuring notes
1	A	Signal Motor, seat height adjustment, front left	Motor, seat height adjustment, front left
2	E	Hall sensor signal, seat height adjustment	Motor, seat height adjustment, front left
3	A	Signal Motor, seat height adjustment, front left	Motor, seat height adjustment, front left
4	E	Hall sensor signal, seat height adjustment	Motor, seat height adjustment, front left

 

[M_Bimmer]

So now we need to work backwards from the seat modules to the module that takes your seat buttons and puts them onto the K-CAN bus.....as stated below:

 

[M_Bimmer]

In the above diagram, I did not complete the view of your seat module at the X175 connector location, and merely shows a total of 8 seat modules, which should already be intact in your seat, and plug nicely into your seat module (A187).

Here are what the other modules in the chain from your front seat, left, control switch assembly (101016) through your seat module (A187).

• 101016: Front seat, left, control switch assembly (which you have)
• A167: Center Console Control Center
• X10576: Just a wiring node for K-CAN High and Low signals (behind dashboard)
• A149: Car Access Control
• X10359: Just a wiring node for K-CAN High and Low signals (floorboard area)

So the key to your success will be with A167....it converts your button presses to the CAN bus to your seat...

Hope this helped.

Cheers

 

[M_Bimmer]

The following list corresponds to the label (in blue) for each item in the diagram started at the top, going down.

• 101016: Front seat, left, control switch assembly (which you have)
• A167: Center Console Control Center
• X10576: Just a wiring node for K-CAN High and Low signals (behind dashboard)
• A149: Car Access Control
• X10359: Just a wiring node for K-CAN High and Low signals (floorboard area)

 

[M_Bimmer]

Are the K_CAN busses and A149 unit part of the seat computer in the tray under the seat cushion that's pictured in my post?
Is there a second translator unit, the BZMF located more aft in the console?
Or should I expect it to work with the A167 connected to the seat controls, then to the seat?

The BZMF is nothing more than the "switch center" for the rear seats, and since you aren't installing those, you don't need to worry about it. Your front seat BZM's, left seat switch center and right seat switch center (assembly with the seat buttons) all go through the A167 as shown below.

Once you get power and ground on the A167 unit and wired to your seat modules, you should be able to control your seats relatively easy, unless we are using the wrong schematics (remember, I'm using +3/2003, so if you have items from say a 1/2003, I'll need to get you correct wiring diagrams - they shouldn't be too different - pin out may differ slightly)

Let me know when you get things wired up.....and hopefully I get help you get this across the finish line....

Cheers

 

[M_Bimmer]

Thanks again, i guess i dont understand what a couple of the parts do. Is a wiring node just something inert that connects wires coming from one place to wires going another?

• 101016: Front seat, left, control switch assembly (which you have)
• A167: Center Console Control Center

what do these do? Do i need them?—>

• X10576: Just a wiring node for K-CAN High and Low signals (behind dashboard)
• A149: Car Access Control
• X10359: Just a wiring node for K-CAN High and Low signals (floorboard area)

thanks again

So anything starting with an "X" is either a connector or a wiring node (using wiring nuts), so X10576 and X10359 are nothing more than twisting two or more wires together - e.g. a wire node.....so because these are wiring nodes, the CAN bus are communications users that are all in parallel...but you need to ensure that the bus is terminated correctly. I'll look this up and post...not sure where those 120 Ohm bus resistors reside in the 7-series... I hope it's not the CAS...but we can add impendence matching resistors on your wires....so not a show stopper.

So in summary, you do not need the last three items listed above....

Cheers

 

[M_Bimmer]

So the CAS module does bridge two PT-CAN instances in the 7-series as well as the wake-up line for the PT-CAN control units....so, not to thwart your effort, your seat modules may always pull electrical power if connected directly to the battery, or if connected to "ignition" battery voltage, may only support seat functions after the key ignition is "active".....

I don't see an issue with the above...it's more of an FYI....we may need to install 120 Ohm buss terminators on your wires when you get things wired up..but before we do this, you may need to measure impedance on the controller CAN pins...and if it returns 150 Ohms, then you are good to go....

 

[M_Bimmer]

......the last odd part is that some motors only engage when i connect them to a 20v drill battery. With 12v they only “bump” where you can tell the electricity hits them, but they don't go into action.
i cant figure out how these motors would require more power since they were in a car with a 12v system. is there some sort of thing that was in the computer module that would have increased the power going to the seat motors?

All the motors installed in BMW vehicles work from +12VDC source, and work even with less voltage under no load, and accepts higher voltage as well, which will increase their torque and rate of rotation (some call this speed, but it's really acceleration).

In your case, I would suspect certain parts of your seats are mechanically jammed up. It might be worth it to disassemble the drive function that "bump" and ensure that the mechanical portion of the seat move freely, and clean/lube accordingly. The drive assembly, which has gears in them, can be disassembled and cleaned.....

The "bump" of your motor is due to the fact it cannot produce enough torque to overcome the load.

Cheers

 

[M_Bimmer]

If you do not want to take your seat drive mechanism assembly apart, you can use the correct Hex tip on the end of the motor, and turn it....you can use a drill, but be careful, if your seats are jammed up, you may end up breaking the plastic gear and/or plastic sleeve in the motor assembly subassembly....which are replaceable off eBay.

I'd run your seats completely back and forth fully at least twice...

Please post how this worked out....