BMW 325ti 2002 passenger seat removal

Principles of Operation - Heated Seats, Vehicles Built 12/2002 Onward
The driver and passenger heated seats share a common ignition feed to the heated seat control switches and share a common ground to the seat backrest elements. The heated seat control switches are a latching type switch; continuity through the switch will remain regardless if voltage is supplied to the switch or not until the switch is pressed to place in the OFF setting. When the heated seat control switch is pressed with the ignition switch in RUN or START, voltage is supplied to the bi-metallic thermostat that is part of the seat cushion element. The seat cushion element and seat backrest element are wired in series and powered by the same output of the bi-metallic thermostat that is part of the seat cushion element. The heated seat control switch also will supply voltage to the separate indicator circuits at the dual automatic temperature control (DATC) module display panel to indicate an ON state. The heated seat will remain on until the heated seat control switch is pressed and voltage is no longer supplied to the bi-metallic thermostat. If the ignition source is removed from the heated seat, the heated seat system will return to the ON with the ignition switch in RUN state until the switch is pressed. The heated seat system is designed to heat the seat to 40?C (104?F) and maintain the temperature by the opening (no voltage to the heated seat elements) and closing (voltage supplied to the heated seat elements) of the bi-metallic thermostat.

Not a fuse issue , more then likely a burnt heating element in the seat , happens all the time .
Heated Seat Components
The heated seat system consists of the following components:
• Driver and passenger heated seat switches
• Driver and passenger seat back heater elements
• Driver and passenger seat cushion heater elements
• Driver and passenger seat back temperature sensors
• Driver seat module
• Driver door module
• Passenger door module

The control module have a Battery voltage supply , the module supply's voltage to the seat heating elements .
The heated seat switches are momentary contact switches and are inputs to the driver and passenger door modules. Battery voltage is supplied to the switch assembly from the door module, and when a heated seat switch is pressed and released a brief switch signal voltage is supplied to the door module. Whenever the door module receives an active heated seat switch input, the next heated seat operating mode is determined by whatever the current mode may be. The seat heater elements are controlled by the driver seat module using inputs from the door modules through Class 2 serial data circuit messages. The driver seat module controls the voltage supply and the ground circuits to the seat heater elements. When a heated seat function is commanded active, the seat module will switch battery voltage to the heater element supply circuits, and ground is provided through low side drive control circuits. During heated seat operation both the seat back and cushion heater elements are supplied battery voltage. The seat module grounds the appropriate control circuits for back only or back and cushion heating modes, and opens or closes the active control circuits as necessary in order to maintain the desired seat temperature. The seat module relies on inputs from thermistors located in the driver and passenger seat backs to control heated seat temperatures. The thermistors are 2 wire sensors supplied with a 5-volt referenced signal circuit and a low reference circuit from the seat module. Resistance through the thermistors varies with temperature causing the heated seat sensor signal circuit voltage levels to decrease as the seat back temperatures rise. The seat modules allow heated seat operation only while the engine is running which is determined by a Class 2 serial data circuit message from the powertrain control module.

Your best bet , take it to a qualified repair shop.

Your vehicle did not come with a manual [driver controlled] deactivation switch. The passenger side airbag on this car is controlled by a switch built into the bottom seat cushion of the passenger seat. If you place an object heavy enough on the passenger seat to activate that switch, the airbag will be activated. If it is activated when the seat is empty, then the switch inside the seat bottom is either defective or someone has disconnected it. Look under the passenger side seat for an electrical connector which may be unplugged.

You do not say what design 3 series; but for E36 with electric seat adjustment, Odometer Gears (link below), makes replacement gears for the electric seats for approximately $40 each. This is the part that typically wears/breaks for seat reclining.
BMW-US E36 Driver's Seat Recline Gear/White
BMW-US E36 Passenger's Seat Recline Gear/Green
http://www.odometergears.com/products/BMW/3+Series+E36+90-00/26

Hi Ray, Removal of the seat belts requires removal of the seats. Adjust the front seats to the fully backwards position and remove the fixing bolts and then unhook rails at the rear.You will notice a wire cable attached to each seat used to adjust the belt shoulder hight. This must also be disconnected. On later model vehicles there is an automatic retraction unit which pulls the driver and or passenger back into the seat in the event of the air bags being deployed. These connections must also be removed. If seats are electrically operated unplug all connectors. Remove seats and then gently remove plastic door pillar covers. (These are in two pieces for each front belt.) Removal will leave the fixing bolts of retractable part of the seat belt exposed. The buckle side is fixed with one bolt and has an electrical connection which must be disconnected. Hope this is of help? Regards John

The following checks and repairs can help you:
1. In the fuse box within the bonnet - check fuse number 22, if burnt, replace it
2. Check fuse 19 in the fuse box inside the car located under the dashboard on the driverside
3. If these steps don't help, the problem may be with the wiring and connection between the module and the seat cushion - inspect it
4. Check if the signal return on the circuit is adequately functioning - if the module is being informed of an active seat
5. If there is a problem - repair or replace the circuit and/or wiring.

Your vhicle build date is on a blue sticker on the driver door or door frame. If not there, check other doors.
The heated seat Module is under the seat. You can unplug the connector on it or the heated seat switch to shut it off. I supect the module is bad. get one used from car-parts.com. The cabin air filter is under the leaf screen at the base of the windshield. Remove wiper arms and leaf screen for access. Please rate, thanks. Principles of Operation - Heated Seats - Vehicles Built 03/2002 Onward
NOTE: Two heated seat modules are used, one for vehicles built up to 03/2002 and one for vehicles built 03/2002 onward. The modules are not interchangeable.
The driver and passenger heated seats share a common battery and ignition feed. A shared ground source supplies the heated seat control switches. When the heated seat control switch is pressed with the ignition switch in RUN or START, a momentary ground signal is sent to the heated seat module. The heated seat module then supplies power to the heating element circuit. The cushion element and seat backrest element are wired in series and powered by the same output. The heated seat module also will ground the separate indicator circuit at the dual automatic temperature control (DATC) module display panel to indicate an ON state. The heated seat module will remain on until the heated seat control switch is pressed and a momentary voltage signal is received, or until 10 minutes expire. If the ignition source is removed from the module, the heated seat module will enter an OFF state and will not return to ON until the switch is once again pressed with the ignition switch in RUN. The heated seat module is designed to heat the seat to 37.5?C (99.5?F) and maintain the temperature until time-out or switched off. This temperature is maintained by the heated seat module monitoring the temperature sensor located in the seat cushion element, and adjusting the current flow to the heating elements.
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Either have broken wires leading to the heated seat and the power seat controls, or the heated seat element is burnt out (but not likely).

Check for blown fuses for the system, but if one side or the other is not working, it's more likely a wire broke somewhere, in this case, on the passenger side.

Hi you are saying your passenger seat does not go forward ? is it electric or manual? that are 4 screws at the end of each track on the bottom of the seat,if you remove them the seat will come out and you can easy get to the bottom and check the springs and levers if it is a manual seat or the motors if it is electric in this case before you remove the seat check your fuses as it may be that one fuse is burned and that is no power going the the motors hope this help you

I Have BMW 325ti Compact E46 2001 model and the eml light come's on and the car just cuts out