This message is marked as Important.

Subject: How to access the battery underneath the rear seat Author: DavidC (moderator) : member since December, 2003 : 12116 posts Posted on: 2005-03-27 17:29:01

Make sure it's not the alternator that's the problem. It could be that the alternator (or voltage regulator) isn't charging the battery.

But, to answer your question, accessing the battery requires removal of the passenger-side rear seat bottom.


Pull out the edge of the door seal along the bottom rear corner.


Then remove the semi-circle-shaped plastic trim between it and the side of the seat.


Next, if you have power rear seats, remove the two plastic adjustment buttons by popping them off, and...


Remove the two screws holding the plastic cover to the seat.


Remove the plastic seat trim. Be careful with the part that snaps over the seat belt receptacle.



Disconnect the wiring harness from the bottom of the seatbelt receptacle.


After that, remove the 13mm hex bolt holding the seat belt receptacle to the side of the seat.


Once that is done, push the metal button below the front of the seat bottom (between your legs if sitting in the seat) to release the seat bottom.



Remove the seat bottom by pulling it up from the front to expose the battery. If you have power rear seats, disconnect the wiring harness connector at the front of the seat.

David Cecil, KI4GZR
'97 740iL, 129k miles
'92 750iL, 78k miles
'86 735i, 97k miles

www.e38.org has links for everything about your BMW 7-series automobile

• HOW TO GET TO BATTERY UNDER THE REAR SEATS ON 1993 730i - chirag 2005-03-27 16:56:50 (1261 views)
  • How to access the battery underneath the rear seat (pic) - DavidC 2005-03-27 17:29:01 (14246 views)
    • Re: How to access the battery underneath the rear seat - chirag 2005-03-29 01:54:10 (1413 views)
      • just set time and date on the board computer - shogun 2005-03-29 22:23:27 (1157 views)