Front heated recaro seats- broken elements

Post Sat Oct 17, 2015 7:59 pm

Hi guys, I have recently bought a very nice black leather recaro interior for my cab.. connected the live feed from the 12v cigar lighter. . Power is going to seats.. but they are not heating up? On futher investigation, I removed the rear seat covers and discovered that the elements are in a bad state and actually broken at some joints???

Any idea what I action I should take to repair/replace these??

Thanks in advance

Stressed!!!!!

Post Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:21 pm

25 year old heated seat elements are crap! You need to replace them, and original BMW is the best way. Buy new from BMW.

Post Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:23 pm

If you dont have the necessary cabling and switching I have the kits at £95 btw

Post Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:43 pm

Thanks for the replies!

I have the correct switching, the factory loom etc.. plug and play..

What exactly do I get with your kit?

I live in Sheffield and don't want to attempt this repair myself. ..

Has anyone local to me carried out this replacement of elements?

Post Sat Oct 17, 2015 9:36 pm

If you have the loom and switches, then thats all you need. You only needs the elements from BMW, Cotswold on here might be the cheapest for you. Fitting is either diy or a trimmers job.

Post Sat Oct 17, 2015 10:45 pm

Cheers pal

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:24 am

For a start, if you have the correct looms then I doubt you should getting the power from the fag lighter?

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:35 am

diable wrote:
B7 wrote:For a start, if you have the correct looms then I doubt you should getting the power from the fag lighter?
It should plug in to the accessory socket.

Dedicated wire from fuse 16 to the socket, and fed from unloader relay K5.
I've seen a few cars where this wire is not fitted. If there is no metal bucket for the fuse leg visible in the outer socket for fuse 16, your car is one of these.
Short circuit protection is inadequate if fed from the cigarette lighter.

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 12:34 pm

Now I am confused. ..

So what your saying is that, I should use fuse 16 for supply power?

The guy I bought them off told me to connect to the 12v, and fuse it down to 15a.. lol

Anyone know of a competent person in or around Sheffield who can do this for me the right way? ?

Last thing I want is a fire..

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 12:37 pm

Also where is this accessory socket located? ?

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 1:15 pm

Also where is this accessory socket located? ?

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 3:14 pm

m3beast wrote:
The guy I bought them off told me to connect to the 12v, and fuse it down to 15a.. lol

Unfortunately, the 30A fuse for the cigarette lighter also feeds the windows and roof with a front door open, so is likely to pop a 15A fuse, especially if the heated seats are on.

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 3:34 pm

Your loom should look like this :

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 3:59 pm

Looks exactly like that!

Im going to pop into bmw tomorrow and inquire about the new elements. . Hopefully won't be too expensive

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 5:46 pm

m3beast wrote:Looks exactly like that!

Im going to pop into bmw tomorrow and inquire about the new elements. . Hopefully won't be too expensive

Ask cotswold on here, discount and free delivery too.

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 6:53 pm

How do I contact him?

Do you have his number please?

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 6:58 pm

Cotswold BMW dealers

They have a thread on here or just google them

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 7:00 pm

Thanks pal

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 7:15 pm

m3beast wrote:How do I contact him?

Do you have his number please?

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... forum&f=39

Just click on new topic and ask away!

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:37 pm

diable wrote:
m3beast wrote: Im going to pop into bmw tomorrow and inquire about the new elements. . Hopefully won't be too expensive

ha ha ha ha

£50 for the base element, eight years ago.

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:34 pm

Lol I think you've already been there pal??

Lol

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:39 pm

Im going to attempt this diy job! Hopefully it'll catch fire with mrs in the car lol

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:43 pm

Killing two birds with one stone..

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:47 pm

I've done this a few times. It's not difficult but it is time-consuming and fiddly.

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:01 pm

Is the repair all carried out from behind the seat?

Do I have to remove any of the leather?

Any special tools needed?

Thanks

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:24 pm

The seats will need breaking down,leathers stripped off and a pair of hog ring pliers and a bag of new hog rings.

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:38 pm

What!!!!! No way??? This is beyond my capabilities!

Anyone around Yorkshire who can do this for me?

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:54 pm

Are these genuine Recaros or sports seats, alot of people get them confused

Post Sun Oct 18, 2015 11:46 pm

Definitely sports seats. .