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Subject: How to access the battery underneath the rear seat Author: DavidC (moderator) : member since December, 2003 : 12931 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
Lexington, KY
Titanium silver '01 750iL, 92k miles
Oxford green '97 740iL, 184k miles
Alpine white '92 750iL, 95k miles (for sale)
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