52 13 400 Replacing seat cover on left or right front seat (normal/manual)

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Necessary preliminary tasks

Remove FRONT SEAT
Remove outer cover . See 5213040 Removing and installing/replacing outer cover on left or right front seat backrest (normal/manual) or 5215400 Replacing seat cover for left or right front seat (sport/manual) on front seat

WARNING: US/CDN front passenger seat (with CIS mat) only:
If CIS mat or padding is defective, both parts must be replaced together.

WARNING: US/CDN front passenger seat (with CIS mat) only:
To avoid damaging the CIS mat, it is essential to carry out the following operations with extra care.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage on sharp-edged seat mechanism.
Guide all cables carefully through seat and backrest mechanism.
Make sure cable is routed without kinks and tension.
Make sure plug connections are correctly locked.
Make sure plugs are correctly seated in catches.

Version with seat occupancy detector (CIS mat) only:

Data line CIS
Earth cable, seat pan
Earth cable, backrest frame

Unlock all plug connections and disconnect.

NOTE: From build date 09/2009 onward, earth cable (3) not included on backrest frame.

Fig 1: Identifying Data Line CIS And Earth Cables

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Version with seat heating only:

Unlock plug connection (1) for seat heating and disconnect.

Unfasten cable strap.

Disengage wiring harness from cable clips (flexmat).

Fig 2: Identifying Plug Connection

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Version with seat occupancy detector without seat heating (CIS mat) only:

Seat heating is integrated in the CIS mat and is stuck to the padding over the full surface.

Lay cable for seat heating as shown to flexmat and secure with cable strap.

Secure plug with cable strap to cable.

Fig 3: Locating Plug With Cable Strap

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Vehicle exterior:

Lever clip (1) out of seat cover.

Installation:

If necessary, replace faulty clip.

Fig 4: Identifying Clip

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Tunnel side:

Disengage cover fastener (1) from belt deflector trim.

Fig 5: Identifying Cover Fastener Of Belt Deflector Trim

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Detach seat cover (1) from seat frame.

Fig 6: Removing Seat Cover From Seat Frame

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Pull out cover welt (1) completely from seat frame (2).

Fig 7: Pulling Cover Welt From Seat Frame

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Remove seat cover (1) with padding towards front/top.

IMPORTANT: Carefully slide bracing cloth with foam through backrest gap and seat structure.

Installation:

Slide foam completely through backrest gap and seat structure. Make sure foam and bracing cloth are correctly fitted.

Fig 8: Removing Seat Cover With Padding

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Version with seat heater and/or with seat occupancy detector (CIS mat):

Pull seat cover (1) with padding forward a little and feed wiring harnesses (2) out.

Remove seat cover (1) with padding towards front/top.

Fig 9: Identifying Seat Cover And Wiring Harnesses

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Carefully detach all retainers in side area from OKE strips (1).

Carefully turn seat cover over and release retainers from OKE strips (2).

Remove seat cover from padding.

IMPORTANT: Remove all remnants of clips from seat cover and padding (CIS mat).

Fig 10: Identifying Retainers Of OKE Strips

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Installation:

Bend new retainers (2) with special tool 52 0 050 .

Padding
Retainer
Trim wire in padding
OKE strip in cover
Seat cover

Fig 11: Bending Retainers Using Special Tool (52 0 050)

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.