6/3/2021

52 09 20_HEAD RESTRAINT AND/OR BACKREST OF 3RD ROW SEATS CANNOT BE FOLDED DOWN

SIB 52 09 20
2021-05-24
HEAD RESTRAINT AND/OR BACKREST OF 3RD ROW SEATS CANNOT
BE FOLDED DOWN
This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 1) replaces SI B52 09 20 dated November 2020.
What’s New (Specific text highlighted):
Cause, Correction, Procedure updated with seat initialization Information
Hyperlink for B65 19 19 added

MODEL
E-Series
G07

Model Description
X7 Sports Activity Vehicle

SITUATION
Various concerns about the third row of seats:
1. Head restraint (aka headrest), on one or both sides, cannot be folded down.
2. Third-row seating, on one or both sides, cannot be folded down.

CAUSE
1. Head restraint (aka headrest), on one or both sides, cannot be folded down:
- Head restraint mechanism is faulty
- Bowden cable is not routed correctly, or not mounted
- Bowden cable mechanism (when cable is under tension it is too short)
- Seat initialization required.
2. Third-row seating, on one or both sides, cannot be folded down:
- Drivetrain for backrest release (actuator) is faulty
- Drivetrain for backrest tilt adjustment is faulty
- Bowden cable not correctly mounted.
- Seat initialization required.

CORRECTION
Depending on the problem found, one or more of the following corrections will be required:
1. Perform seat initialization
2. Replace the head restraint mechanism
3. Replace the Bowden cable
4. Re-route the Bowden cable
5. Replace the drivetrain for backrest release (actuator)
6. Replace the drivetrain for backrest tilt adjustment

PROCEDURE
For an overview of seat operation please refer to TRI 52 23 19
Program the vehicle with ISTA to the most recent I-level.
NOTE: Software improvements were released August 2019 which changed certain seat operations on early
production vehicles. For a detailed list of the changes see SI B52 21 19.
All G05 / G07 produced up to August 1 2019 can be updated to 7/2019 SW as per Service Action SI B65 19
19

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52 09 20_HEAD RESTRAINT AND/OR BACKREST OF 3RD ROW SEATS CANNOT BE FOLDED DOWN

After programming perform seat initialization.
The seat initialization procedure can be found in ISTA by choosing
SERVICE FUNCTIONS
BODY
SEATS
SEAT ADJUSTMENT STANDARDIZATION
Then select the correct ABL test plan for the relevant seat(s).
You may have to initialize all 4 seat modules.
NOTE: The third-row seat is controlled by the second-row seat module.
Then proceed as follows:
1. Head restraint cannot be folded down:
Can the head restraint be manually unlocked
using the release loop beneath the headrest
(see picture) and thus folded down?

YES = Head restraint mechanism is
faulty.
Replace the folding module of the
head restraint (#2 in picture).
See REP 52 30 118 Remove and
install/replace folding module of left or
right head restraint
NOTE: The head restraint cannot be removed
without destroying the covering material. A
new cover (leather) will be required to
perform this repair.
NO = Check if the Bowden cable is
correctly mounted and properly routed.
If the Bowden cable is mounted and
correctly routed, replace the Bowden
cable for the headrest (shown in yellow
in picture).
See REP 52 30 253 Replace Bowden
cable for left or right head restraint

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52 09 20_HEAD RESTRAINT AND/OR BACKREST OF 3RD ROW SEATS CANNOT BE FOLDED DOWN

(Bowden cable unlocking device for
head restraint).

2. Third-row seating cannot be folded down:
Check if the latch (the fastener on the left or
right side) of the third row of seats is open or
closed? (this is the hook/pin shown in green in
picture)
As a quick check for this, proceed as follows:
Fold the rear seat backrest of the third row of
seats including the head restraint into seating
position.
If the head restraint stays in the seat position,
the latch is closed.
If the head restraint falls into the folded
position again, the latch is open.
YES (Latch is open) = Replace
drivetrain of backrest tilt adjustment.
See REP 67 31 635 Remove and
install/replace drivetrain for backrest tilt
adjustment of third-row seating (left or
right) (according to vehicle diagnosis)

NO (Latch is closed) = Check if the
drivetrain for backrest release
adjustment is broken?
NOTE: The 3 Bowden cables are housed in a
common housing that moves along a worm
gear assembly.
When the electric motor activates, it spins the
worm gear to pull up on the housing so that all

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52 09 20_HEAD RESTRAINT AND/OR BACKREST OF 3RD ROW SEATS CANNOT BE FOLDED DOWN

3 cables move simultaneously
One of the cables controls the head restraint
folding. Once pulled, the headrest will release
and pivot downwards. Raising the headrest
back into the upright position must be
done by pushing up on it by hand.
(The other two cables control the latch
release at the seat pivot to enable the seat to
fold.)
For more details see either video:
B52 01 19 - G05/G07 Seat
Troubleshooting 6 Passenger
B52 02 19 - G05/G07 Seat
Troubleshooting 7 Passenger

Is the drivetrain for the backrest release
(actuator) broken?
YES = Replace only the drivetrain for
backrest release (actuator).
See REP 67 31 645 Remove and
install/replace drivetrain for backrest release
of third-row seating (left or right) (according to
vehicle diagnosis)
NO = Replace BOTH the Bowden
cable(s) and drivetrain for backrest
release (actuator).
See appropriate repair instruction:
REP 52 30 256 Replace Bowden cable for left
or right rear seat backrest
(Bowden cable for outer backrest release)
REP 52 30 255 Replace Bowden cable for left
or right rear seat backrest
(Bowden cable for inner backrest release)
REP 67 31 645 Remove and install/replace
drivetrain for backrest release of third-row
seating (left or right) (according to vehicle
diagnosis)

Then re-evaluate the vehicle.

PARTS INFORMATION
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52 09 20_HEAD RESTRAINT AND/OR BACKREST OF 3RD ROW SEATS CANNOT BE FOLDED DOWN

Obtain and confirm the part numbers for your specific vehicle by entering the chassis number in either ETK
or AIR which takes into account specific equipment and/or options.
This is an overview list of parts required to make these repairs. You will only need one or more of these
parts to repair your vehicle.
Part Number
52 30 7 485 444
52 20 9 473 697
52 20 9 473 695
52 20 9 473 696
52 30 5 A1E 228
52 30 5 A1E 229
52 30 7 941 595
52 30 9 496 669

Description
Bowden Cable Unlocking
Actuator backrest folding
Drive backrest folding left
Drive backrest folding right
Bowden cable actuator left
Bowden cable actuator right
Headrest leather rear (schwarz)
Folding module head rest

Quantity
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1

WARRANTY INFORMATION
This service information bulletin provides technical, diagnostic and/or repair-related information.
Eligible and Covered Work/Repairs
When used to repair a verified defect in materials or workmanship, the applicable repair procedure
information that is provided in this bulletin is covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited
Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks.
To submit a claim, please following the established and applicable warranty policy and procedures
(Labor/Part/Sublet – bulk materials/qualifying third-party repairs) that apply to the repair being performed.
Refer to AIR for the corresponding defect code, flat rate labor operations (including diagnosis) and the flat
rate unit (FRU) allowances.
Only one Main labor operation code can be claimed per repair visit.
As applicable to your center, please refer to SI B01 01 20 or B01 07 20 for claiming your diagnosis work
time, job/repair work time (WT), WT and the repair-related explanation procedures.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS BULLETIN
Technical inquiries
Warranty inquiries
Parts inquiries

Submit feedback at the top of this bulletin
Please contact the Warranty department by either using the Live Chat
that’s available in the Warranty Documentation Portal or through IDS by
selecting Coverage, Policy, Coding Questions and Mileage Corrections
Submit an IDS ticket to the Parts Department

Supporting Materials
Videos
52 01 19
52 02 19

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