[stvding]

Planning to do a through vaccum under the seat. After a bit of googling, I bought a Torx 50 bit for unscrewing. However, i saw someone talks about unplugging battery before removing seat. Can I avoid that by not pulling the wire under the seat?? I just want to clean it up

[Billfitz]

You shouldn't have to disconnect the battery. I see it recommended for just about any kind of work that involves the electrical system, probably to save fools from damaging something that they probably shouldn't be working on in the first place.
I wouldn't remove the seat, it moves far enough in either direction that you can get at everywhere underneath it to vacuum.

[stvding]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

You shouldn't have to disconnect the battery. I see it recommended for just about any kind of work that involves the electrical system, probably to save fools from damaging something that they probably shouldn't be working on in the first place.
I wouldn't remove the seat, it moves far enough in either direction that you can get at everywhere underneath it to vacuum.

Tight space on the sides

[Billfitz]

I have a nozzle for my shop vac that's only 1/2 inch wide, so where it doesn't fit I don't need to go.

[stvding]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I have a nozzle for my shop vac that's only 1/2 inch wide, so where it doesn't fit I don't need to go.

Hypothetically, if I decide to take the passenger seat out out for a while, storage, just for fun, whatever the reason is, do i have to disconnect battery before i unplug seat wire underneath in order to put it back someday and still expect it functions normally

[Billfitz]

I don't see any reason why you can't unplug the connections. Even if there was some fault for who knows what reason that's why everything is fused.

[stvding]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I don't see any reason why you can't unplug the connections. Even if there was some fault for who knows what reason that's why everything is fused.

Ok..i did just unplug some wires when i wrap interior trims multiple time. no issues. Why anyone would suggest disconnecting battery???

[BlueCrabMafia]

Originally Posted by stvding

Ok..i did just unplug some wires when i wrap interior trims multiple time. no issues. Why anyone would suggest disconnecting battery???

Because most BMW's will trip the SRS system if the seat is disconnected with power applied. You can't reset an SRS code with a regular scanner either.

Not sure if that applies to F30's or not.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by BlueCrabMafia

Because most BMW's will trip the SRS system if the seat is disconnected with power applied.

I could be wrong, but I'd think that would require that the car be powered up, if not with the engine running at least with the ignition switch on. SRS shouldn't care what's happening if the ignition isn't on.
After disconnecting anything the system might throw a warning when the ignition is turned on, but it should go away after plugging it back in again.
If in doubt consult a tech manual.

[roll_the_dice]

I had always read where you were "supposed" to unhook the negative terminal on the battery for the above mentioned SRS issue, but I am not sure either. I am about to pull mine out to do some custom work on the seats...I will probably unhook to be on the safe side...

[BlueCrabMafia]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I could be wrong, but I'd think that would require that the car be powered up, if not with the engine running at least with the ignition switch on. SRS shouldn't care what's happening if the ignition isn't on.
After disconnecting anything the system might throw a warning when the ignition is turned on, but it should go away after plugging it back in again.
If in doubt consult a tech manual.

By powered up I mean the key turned to any position besides OFF. The minute you turn the key or in the F30's case push the start button, the SRS system performs a check. If the seat is disconnected, it will throw a code.

People disconnect seats for whatever reason and then absentmindedly turn the car ON to do whatever. It's best to just disconnect the battery and save yourself the trouble.

[John in VA]

Originally Posted by BlueCrabMafia

By powered up I mean the key turned to any position besides OFF. The minute you turn the key or in the F30's case push the start button, the SRS system performs a check. If the seat is disconnected, it will throw a code.

People disconnect seats for whatever reason and then absentmindedly turn the car ON to do whatever. It's best to just disconnect the battery and save yourself the trouble.

Yep. I recently replaced a pair of window regulators in one of the E46s, and needed power to move the new regulator into position to bolt the glass to it. Had a brain fart & reconnected the battery & turned the key while the door airbag was disconnected = red SRS light. Thankfully the Peake SRS tool turned it off!

[ronanz]

Definitely unplug neg terminal, will throw a code if you don't. Removed my pass. seat when I added a circuit, forgot I still had car hooked up to tender. Erased code with my bm3 app

.

[stvding]

Originally Posted by ronanz

Definitely unplug neg terminal, will throw a code if you don't. Removed my pass. seat when I added a circuit, forgot I still had car hooked up to tender. Erased code with my bm3 app

.

I just have the vaccum work done without unplug the seat wire. That wire is long enough for me to lean back the whole seat to have opening for vaccum.

[stvding]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

You shouldn't have to disconnect the battery. I see it recommended for just about any kind of work that involves the electrical system, probably to save fools from damaging something that they probably shouldn't be working on in the first place.
I wouldn't remove the seat, it moves far enough in either direction that you can get at everywhere underneath it to vacuum.

Just unscrewed these 4 T50 bolts. Forgot to charge my impact driver, no choice but to use ratchet. What a pain the ass.....plus, so much dirty under these....

[Dang3r]

Lazy bone! Unscrewing the 4 bolts is a matter of 5 minutes, also with the ratchet
Had them tilted during Bavsound subwoofer installation but not unplugged the receptacles under seat.
If you consider to remove them for better installation of the valve, disconnect the battery, wait a few minutes and then unplug.
As written here previous, the failure message couldnt be reset by you but the dealer.

[stvding]

Originally Posted by Dang3r

Lazy bone! Unscrewing the 4 bolts is a matter of 5 minutes, also with the ratchet
Had them tilted during Bavsound subwoofer installation but not unplugged the receptacles under seat.
If you consider to remove them for better installation of the valve, disconnect the battery, wait a few minutes and then unplug.
As written here previous, the failure message couldnt be reset by you but the dealer.

Did it yesterday...clean as a whistle now