BMW 4 Series Electric Seat Controls Only Work After Start

Hey there. I had a similar issue with my 2017 BMW i3 last month. The battery was severely discharged, causing various electrical components to malfunction, including the power seats. After taking it to the garage, they diagnosed it as a faulty battery sensor and a heavily degraded main battery that wasn't holding charge properly. The seats would only work once the car had enough power flowing through the system, which explains why yours work after the car's running. In my case, it was pretty serious, they had to replace both the battery and the sensor module. These symptoms are fairly common in electric BMWs once they hit higher mileage. The battery degradation affects all the auxiliary systems before you notice any range issues. If you're experiencing these symptoms, I'd recommend getting it checked soon. It's not just about the seats, it could be an early warning sign of bigger electrical issues.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! I had the exact same symptoms with my seats last year. The battery/sensor fix did the trick for me too. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been working smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other electrical quirks? Would be good to know what to watch out for.

Hey again! Good to hear back from you. Yes, I got it all sorted at the mechanic and it cost me 290 € for fixing that battery discharge issue. The passenger seat is working perfectly now, what a relief! Everything's been running like clockwork since the repair. No more electrical gremlins or weird behaviors with any of the systems. The mechanic did a thorough job checking all the connections while they were at it, which probably helped prevent any other issues from popping up. I've been keeping a closer eye on the battery health indicators since then, just to stay ahead of any potential problems. But honestly, it's been smooth sailing. The car feels as good as new, just like when I first got my i3. If you notice any other quirks, definitely get them checked out early. These electrical issues can sometimes be connected, but catching them early usually means a simpler fix. Happy to share any other insights if you need them!

Thanks for the detailed response! I finally got mine fixed last week. The mechanic found the issue pretty quickly, turned out to be a combo of a worn-out battery sensor and some corroded connections. Cost me a bit less than yours, around 250€, since they didn't need to replace the whole battery. The repair went smoother than expected. Was honestly dreading it after my last mechanic experience, but this new guy really knew his stuff. Had the car back same day, and all the electrical systems are working perfectly now. Such a relief not having to wait for the seats to kick in anymore! Funny thing is, while they were fixing it, they spotted a minor issue with the door sensors that could've caused problems down the line. Got that sorted too while it was there. Thanks again for your help, really put my mind at ease knowing someone else had dealt with the same thing.