E39 Comfort Lumbar support deflating

[trs998]

I've just got my first E39 - it's an amazing car to drive!

However, the memory on the seats knows I like both lumbar support pads inflated, the lower one rather more. So they're inflated when I get in.

I'm not sure how they're supposed to work though. It seems to me that the bottom pad deflates over about 20-30 minutes, and can be re-inflated by holding down the button.

I guess i've got a leak in the pump, valve block or the pad itself. I just wanted to run this by other E39 users to see if it's something it's supposed to do (like the active seat massagey thing) and also if there's any sort of common failure point. Ideally someone'll turn round and say "oh, yes, you just need to re-seat the lower pump output pipe"...

So - any comments please anyone?

[SJobson]

I had no idea they worked by inflating - I assumed it was just a pad behind the cushion which moved in/out/up/down.

As I recall from reading the manual once, the memory function doesn't work on the lumbar supports, and possibly not the top part of the backrest either.

Anyway, as you can probably tell, I've not had this problem with mine. Sorry not to be of more help.

[Pickled Piper]

Hi trs998,

The memory function doesn't work on the lumbar.

pp

[trs998]

Aha, that's interesting! In that case, they can't be inflated when I get in but not when I get out, and it's obviously not deflating. Maybe all it is is a perception thing, and it's as I get used it the position of the pad and stop feeling it pushing into my lower back.

I did notice today (first time passengering in my own car!) that the passenger side lumbar support pump is considerably quieter though.

This must be a false alarm!