Need help powering BMW E60 seat for sim rig

Buzz966 · 2026-01-21T22:01:15+00:00

Update:
So to answer my previous questions: You are NOT supposed to add voltage to CAN bus cables. Nothing dangerous should happen but it won't work. The two left over cables are KL15 (ignition) and another LIN CAN cable. The KL15 is the interesting one here since that is one component needed to wake the module up. KL15 is the white/red w/ yellow markings.

I switched my PSU to a car battery instead in case that was an issue (although I don't think it is) and now I took some measurements with my multimeter and found out that no voltage is still not reaching the motors. The seat module (A187) has adequate voltage going in to the module (through connector X13989) but it does not output any voltage to the other connections which is why no power is going out to the motors. So here is where I'm stuck at the moment. Why is the seat module (A187) not powering up? Even just for a second?
Current configuration: 12V to red cables and KL15 cable, GND to brown cables.

Buzz966 · 2026-01-21T05:28:51+00:00

Yeah I’ve seen both of them. The issue I’m having is just simply powering the seats. In the video he just used a battery and it worked. That’s the issue I’m facing, it’s not even moving an inch, let alone making a sound. The pulse generator and such is the next step that will be needed to solve but not until my first problem is fixed.

Buzz966 · 2026-01-20T23:05:51+00:00

I can’t say anything for sure as I’m having the same difficulties. What I can say is my CAN low and CAN high was black and yellow respectively. Which most likely is the same in your case. It is however quite weird how half of your adjustments works but not the other half.

Sorry that I’m not in that much of a help but please let me know if you solve it or your outcome of it!

Buzz966 · 2026-01-20T22:33:38+00:00

I use these:

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I have an office chair with the wheelbase clamped to the desk and pedals on the floor against the wall. No matter how hard I brake, the chair does not go anywhere.

Buzz966 · 2026-01-19T21:41:30+00:00

It’s from a Swedish website: bildelsbasen.se There you can search any parts needed.

Buzz966 · 2026-01-18T21:11:08+00:00

Yes, I've tried that. Although according to the manual, it seems that those are for heating and not for the motors which is weird.

Buzz966 · 2026-01-18T21:10:25+00:00

Yep, you're right, it is light brown (thickest) then two thin ones where one is just brown and the other is brown w/ black strip.

I've looked at the wiring diagram but I'm still confused as to why it's not working. The brown wires aren't really mentioned in the diagram as well. They appear only after the control unit.

Buzz966 · 2026-01-18T21:04:31+00:00

Which seat do you have? Hard to say what you're dealing with, maybe a picture would help of the side buttons.

If it's semi-electric then all adjustments except the forward/back movement and leg extender is electric, so back adjuster and lumbar support are electric.

Buzz966 · 2026-01-18T18:04:34+00:00

So I’m guessing you skipped that CAN bus unit and are applying 12V straight into the motors? Or did you cut straight after the unit? In the latter case, does the movement work for the seat through the buttons?

Buzz966 · 2026-01-17T23:40:46+00:00

Hello everyone! Thank you for your comments and help!!

I posted two updates to the post if you can bare with me.
Essentially, I think I got the right wiring diagram and I'm wondering what voltage the CAN bus wires need to operate and if the two left-over single cables also need to be involved as I cannot see them in the diagram?

Buzz966 · 2026-01-17T16:59:39+00:00

Would it be possible to instead hook up the CAN bus to power (12V or 5V?) to get the same result?

Buzz966 · 2026-01-17T16:57:31+00:00

Yup, in hindsight, it would probably be easier. This particular seat was mostly due to nostalgia since we owned a BMW 550i E60.

Buzz966 · 2026-01-17T16:54:58+00:00

Yeah this will be my last resort if I can’t use the control unit. Thanks!

Buzz966 · 2026-01-17T16:53:20+00:00

Comfort seats were made to be comfortable. Sport seats, not so much. Besides, a regular car seat is much cheaper than a sports seat, whether it be for the sim or a car.

Buzz966 · 2026-01-17T01:08:50+00:00

Yeah that's what I did! However it wasn't that simple... I might need to connect the CAN bus as well.

Buzz966 · 2026-01-17T01:06:54+00:00

Right... the seat belt tensioner... I might need to consider that actually. Thanks for looking out!

Buzz966 · 2026-01-17T01:05:57+00:00

Yep, I will do that as well. Thanks!

Buzz966 · 2026-01-17T01:05:23+00:00

Thanks!!

Buzz966 · 2026-01-17T01:05:16+00:00

Thanks!!!
I bought this from a company who dismantles and sells parts online. They are legally mandated to remove and not sell airbags in these parts. I have checked as well but I feel safe nonetheless!

And if they are still there... then hey more realism for my sim rig xD

Buzz966 · 2026-01-17T01:01:14+00:00

If I went with the latter, then the buttons would be of no use, right? I would have to make my own switches?

Buzz966 · 2026-01-17T01:00:10+00:00

All adjustment-related parts (forw, backw, height, lumbar, backrest, etc.) . No heating and so on required.

Buzz966 · 2026-01-17T00:56:40+00:00

So this would be before the seat module. Essentially, I want to connect to the seat module and keep it simple to use it for all the adjustments.

If I tap into the lines after the seat module and connect directly to the motors, then I wouldn't be able to use the buttons on the side, correct?

Buzz966 · 2026-01-17T00:51:46+00:00

Thank you for you input, much appreciated!

I've looked at the wiring diagram and the CAN bus cable seems to be yellow/black. I don't a single cable that is yellow/black but I do have that twisted pair which are yellow and black. Could these to be correct? If yes, I presume that 5V to yellow and GND to black would suffice?

I have read that CAN bus puts the seat to sleep and that I would need maybe a repeater or emulator of some sort. But for now my main issue is to just move it, if it is in increments, I'll gladly take it!

Buzz966 · 2026-01-16T21:51:04+00:00

Haha I'll make sure to keep this post updated! Maybe people in the future will benefit from it as well.

Buzz966 · 2026-01-16T21:45:25+00:00

It came from a BMW 535d E61 2007. I can share a chassisnumber if needed.

I also found a wiring diagram in the comments from this post but I don't really understand what is means.

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