My BMW E90 seat install

[2fpower]

Is the entire seat 5v or just that computer system that turns it off?

and on the pulse generator, anyone have a part number?

Found it ... NE555 pulse generator.

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[YooperCruiser]

Is the entire seat 5v or just that computer system that turns it off?

and on the pulse generator, anyone have a part number?

Found it ... NE555 pulse generator.

2pcs NE555 Adjustable Resistnce Frequency Pulse Generator Module.USbsHAh$EXAT-jg | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2pcs NE555 Adjustable Resistnce Frequency Pulse Generator Module.USbsHAh$EXAT-jg at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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The module is 5v, the motors and everything else run on 12v

 

[dcfATL]

The module is 5v, the motors and everything else run on 12v

The module is 5v, the motors and everything else run on 12v

I have some seats for sale cheap in Atlanta if anyone is looking for a set $150!

 

[Snicklephritz87]

just got my seats and brackets. Seats are from a 2011 335i. Any advice going into the wiring?

 

[86aggie]

You may have seen older wiring diagrams and descriptions in this thread and others. They may or may not be helpful, depending on what changes BMW has made. If you want to get wiring diagrams, and operating instructions for your seats - down to the VIN of the vehicle they came from-BMW makes changes during model years - go to www.bmwtis.com . For $30, you can pull all the info you want/need. There was a free independent site when I did mine, but BMW has since shut them down. Other sources may have popped up since.

 

[red66toy]

Yeah those BMW wiring diagrams are hard to track down! @Snicklephritz87 2011 is definitely in the e90 wiring territory. There is some discussion above on them. They are trickier since you have to make a little computer in the seats happy to get them to work correctly. @gt7058a may have some better insights.

 

[86aggie]

I was able to get the seat adjustments and heat modules to work with direct, fused power to the correct wires on my '07 seats. No memory function, no additional hardware, other than primary power to seat with on/off switch(basic rocker switch, wired tied to Torfab bracket) to reset the 20 sec timer, only on the driver seat. Passenger seat has constant fused power. Can't speak to newer seats.

 

[Snicklephritz87]

This is already kicking my butt. Do i need the 5v signal to get any movement? I just connected a basic + - to see if i could power on for 10 seconds. I got zero movement.

 

[86aggie]

A key issue with the driver's seat is that there was a 15-20 second window to start 'moving the seat', before an automated switch trips and will not allow movement. The solution is to cut power for approx. 2 mins, and the switch resets. That is why we had to put that inline switch in place. Turn power on when you want to start moving the seat, and shut it down after you are done, until the next time. I can't speak to late model seats - maybe someone else can.

 

[gt7058a]

I have seats from a 2008 and could power them with a 12v source and get the temporary movement and then they time out. The on/off switch approach worked the same as mentioned above.

What are you using for a power source? I had some issues with a faulty bench source that caused some head scratching and a bit of cursing.

 

[Snicklephritz87]

I have seats from a 2008 and could power them with a 12v source and get the temporary movement and then they time out. The on/off switch approach worked the same as mentioned above.

What are you using for a power source? I had some issues with a faulty bench source that caused some head scratching and a bit of cursing.

First tried a 20v drill battery. Gonna hook them up to my fj40 battery tomorrow to try.

update - They work. just need to figure out the 5V Can bus wiring.

Also need to figure out if i have heated seats. I am thinking about pulling the leather cover partially off to get my eyes in the element. Do i need to use bmw switches to get them to work?

 

[Elbert]

have any of you guys seen any parasitic draw on the power related to the power seat install? Just wondering, I did a swap to BMW seats some time ago, my seats are only power (not heated). I hate that business of the issue related to the driver side seat moving ( i have a toggle switch) on the power feed to mine.

Just wondering about the parasitic draw....if anyone has found any evidence of that with their install.

 

[86aggie]

I have not seen any sign of it on passenger seat, which is constant hot(via fuse, w/o ignition on) or Driver side, which has a toggle switch like you do.

 

[LCnAZ]

I have not seen any sign of it on passenger seat, which is constant hot(via fuse, w/o ignition on) or Driver side, which has a toggle switch like you do.

Like he said. Same.

 

[Elbert]

thanks for the feedback, I think I have a parasitic draw of some significance, but so far nothing has become obvious. Once I resolve and complete some other tasks, I'll have to take a deep dive on where the power drain may be, not blaming the Seats, but just was wondering if anyone else may have noticed anything.

One thing that did come to mind....I simply put a toggle switch in line and its kind of loose under my seat.....so over time I've forgotten the orientation of power-on vs off...I can figure that out, but the deal with the delay or whatever on when the seat operates (driver side) is a frustration. Guess the easy part is power the truck on and see if the seat moves without any changes (then if so thats power on) without resorting to meter or test light.

off the top of my head, I'm doubting that even if the toggle switch was left on, would that matter as to parasitic draw over the course of time. I may need to investigate that, then of course I need to mark the correct orientation of the toggle switch I'm using.

I don't drive my 60 that often and once I get the seat set, I generally don't screw with the seat that often anyway. But I could have left the toggle switch in the on mode inadvertently. Trying to avoid any more wires and "crap".....but it seems like thats a necessary evil with power seats, radios...etc...etc.

 

[86aggie]

Unless you have them taped together, you should be able to see which one goes to the connection panel on the seat, versus heading for a switched/unswitched power source. I purposely got a lit rocker switch, so I could easily track how forgetful I had been. Like you, I set it and forget it, unless I'm vacuuming, or need to move it up to flip the 2nd row up.

 

[AcroSteve]

Since this looks like one of the better threads on e90 seats, let me tag on with some information, and a question or two while keeping it together and hopefully improving the thread.

I just picked up a pair of seats from a 2011 328i. So far, I've only been messing with the drivers seat, which is an e90.

1st, my seat has/had two air bags! The normal one in the side of the seat, which I removed and replaced with some high density foam.

But I found out the hard way that there is an air bag of sorts in the headrest.

I thought that the headrest might be motorized due to the way it looked. The slot looked like the angle could be adjusted.

Well, after a small explosion, it looks like this!

The wires going to the headrest were a separate connector and NOT yellow.

Anyway, lesson learned. But I need to figure out how to get the headrest back to the "normal" position.


I initially thought my seat was heated because there are pairs of wires going to the upper and lower cushions, but there aren't wires coming into the controller from the chassis and there were no heat controls anywhere I could find.

But I wonder what those wires go to?

Lastly, I've seen several people trying a 5v converter on the CAN wires, but I haven't really seen confirmation that the power switch can be eliminated and power the seat all the time. That NE555 module looks to be different than just a 5v supply lise several others have mentioned. Has anyone gotten it working with that? What timing is needed?

Lastly, I wonder if the seat coverings for the bottom cushion is the same for the left and right seats. I think I'd like to swap them if they are to even out the wear. Like rotating tires.

Come to think of it, if I did that, I would definitely see where those wires go...

 

[AcroSteve]

I measured the oem seat to establish front/rear position, and with either seat at full forward, they are the same dist to firewall. The bmw seat is as low as I could mount it without more major modifications, but it's about an inch higher at the front than the toyota. And firmer.

This is in a 1984 FJ60
Here's what my mounts look like.
Front

Rear

The bmw seat has 9" of travel, where the toyota had 6".

This is the full rearward position for the toyota, but could move back 3 more inches.

 

[BurntToast]

Since this looks like one of the better threads on e90 seats, let me tag on with some information, and a question or two while keeping it together and hopefully improving the thread.

I just picked up a pair of seats from a 2011 328i. So far, I've only been messing with the drivers seat, which is an e90.

1st, my seat has/had two air bags! The normal one in the side of the seat, which I removed and replaced with some high density foam.
View attachment 3713502 But I found out the hard way that there is an air bag of sorts in the headrest.

I thought that the headrest might be motorized due to the way it looked. The slot looked like the angle could be adjusted.
View attachment 3713493

Well, after a small explosion, it looks like this!
View attachment 3713494
The wires going to the headrest were a separate connector and NOT yellow.
View attachment 3713495
Anyway, lesson learned. But I need to figure out how to get the headrest back to the "normal" position.


I initially thought my seat was heated because there are pairs of wires going to the upper and lower cushions, but there aren't wires coming into the controller from the chassis and there were no heat controls anywhere I could find.

But I wonder what those wires go to?
View attachment 3713496

Lastly, I've seen several people trying a 5v converter on the CAN wires, but I haven't really seen confirmation that the power switch can be eliminated and power the seat all the time. That NE555 module looks to be different than just a 5v supply lise several others have mentioned. Has anyone gotten it working with that? What timing is needed?

Lastly, I wonder if the seat coverings for the bottom cushion is the same for the left and right seats. I think I'd like to swap them if they are to even out the wear. Like rotating tires.

Come to think of it, if I did that, I would definitely see where those wires go...

The 555 works, my build and diagrams for the seats are here

Builds - BurntToast's FJ62 Build "Hoss" - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/burnttoasts-fj62-build-hoss.1291363/post-14987435

 

[AcroSteve]

The 555 works, my build and diagrams for the seats are here

Builds - BurntToast's FJ62 Build "Hoss" - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/burnttoasts-fj62-build-hoss.1291363/post-14987435

Thank you.

Here's both seats bolted in and adjusted to the "toyota rear" adjustment.