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hermannschwarz14

BMW i3 Massage Seat Goes Rogue: Driver Seeks Control Fix

Hey all! Having trouble with my 2021 BMW i3 Hybrid (143k km). The massage function in the driver's seat has gone haywire, won't turn on when I want it to, and when it does work, it refuses to turn off. The diagnostic shows there's an error code for this issue. Has anyone dealt with a faulty massage seat switch before? Last mechanic visit wasn't great, so I'm looking for advice before taking it in again. Thanks in advance for any tips!

Summary of the thread

The driver of a 2021 BMW i3 Hybrid is experiencing issues with the massage function in the driver's seat, which either fails to activate or won't turn off. The problem is identified by an error code, suggesting a potential issue with the seat control module or wiring. A similar case involved corroded pins and a worn-out cable, leading to a recommendation to have the vehicle checked by a certified BMW technician. The solution may involve addressing loose connections or wiring issues, which can prevent further complications with other seat functions.

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4 comment(s)

eliasmystic1

Hey there! I've got a 2018 BMW i8 Hybrid and ran into a similar massage seat problem last month. The symptoms were exactly like yours, unusual activation and wouldn't shut off. Turned out to be a faulty connection in the seat control module. During my garage visit, they found corroded pins in the main connector under the seat, plus a worn-out cable that was causing intermittent signals. The mechanic had to replace the entire seat control module and rewire the connection. It wasn't a quick fix, took them about 4 hours to complete the job. This wasn't a major mechanical issue, but it needed proper attention since the system is connected to other seat functions like position memory and heating. If left unchecked, it could affect those features too. My advice? Get it checked by a certified BMW technician. The error code should help them pinpoint the exact problem faster than my case took. Best of luck with the repair.

hermannschwarz14 (community.author)

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! Glad to hear I'm not the only one who's dealt with this massage seat drama. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much the repair set you back? Also, has everything been working smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other quirks with the seat functions? Really appreciate your detailed explanation about those corroded pins and wiring issues. Sounds like I should definitely get this sorted before it causes more problems.

eliasmystic1

Hey again! Great news, since I last replied, I actually got mine fixed! The mechanic found it was just a loose cable connection issue, much simpler than my initial repair. Only cost me 95€, which was a huge relief compared to what I originally paid when they replaced the whole module. Everything's been working perfectly since the fix, no more unusual massages or stuck switches! All other seat functions are running smoothly too. Honestly, it was way less complicated than what I went through with my first repair attempt that I mentioned before. Turns out these massage seats are pretty reliable once you get the wiring sorted properly. Just make sure you're clear with the mechanic about the symptoms, that error code you mentioned should help them diagnose it quickly, just like in my case. Let me know how it goes when you get it checked out. Always curious to hear if others have similar fixes.

hermannschwarz14 (community.author)

Thanks for the update! Just got back from the mechanic today, and you won't believe it, my issue was actually pretty similar. Had a loose connection and some worn-out wiring that needed fixing. The whole thing took about two hours, and while the labor costs weren't exactly cheap, it was definitely better than having to replace the entire module. The mechanic was really thorough this time, showed me exactly what was wrong and fixed a few other minor issues they spotted while they were at it. The massage function's working perfectly now, no more surprise massages during my drives! Really grateful for your advice about getting it checked out quickly. You were right about the error code too, helped them figure out the problem much faster. Think I've found a reliable mechanic now, which is a huge relief after my last disappointing experience. Thanks again for all your help with this. It's great when these things turn out simpler than expected!

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BMW

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I3