Does any of the other movements of the seat work, if no then suspect one of the seat motors has failed or broken wires underneath as the constant movement can cause wires to break or come loose. If no movement in chair is working check fuse or wiring.

 

All other functions work.. its stuck in the lowest position so I cant see underneath to look at the wires etc

 

If you can get to all the bolts might be worth a try in undoing the seat. Be careful as messing with wires with battery connected could cause airbag to go!

 

How on earth do I get the seats out?

 

Two hex bolts at front of seat. A small socket will fit it. And two sets of hex screws at the rear

 

If all else fails, nip to B & M and get yourself one of those cheap Cushions..Sorry..

 

If you can get to look under the seat, from outside is best, you might be able to see if there is anything working ... or not.

My height adjustment is broken too. It's in the right place for me and Mrs Cylon so that's OK, but the 'easy access' feature is somewhat restricted now. It makes no difference, but I'd like it to work as it's supposed to.

I've not got around to removing the seat as yet, but that does seem to be the only way to fix it. I wiggled it all about the other day and it all worked again, but all that happens now is the motor goes 'clunk' when you push the switch up or down. I can see the motor move each time if I peer under the seat, so maybe it's jammed inside?

 

When you say the height adjustment isn't working, do you mean front and rear? my 99 has a rocker button to adjust the seat base front or rear as 2 seperate actions.
If a motor was faulty you should still see a movement in the other one, if they are both not working i would say check the switch first, then wiring.

 

His 2006 should have the same as you, my 2005 does, but I understood the seat height and the seat squab front adjustment to be seperate albeit on the same switch? You use the front of the switch to control the height of front of the seat and the back of the switch for the whole seat height. Purpose is to support under your knees, BMW had a similar system on the 5 series whereby a panel pulled out of the front of the seat for support.

 

Just been out to have a look under my seat, it has 2 motors, one to adjust front up and down, the other to adjust rear up and down. raising the rocker switch up as one operates both motors giving the impression of a single action, i lowered the seat to it's lowest setting and yes, it is tight getting access under there.
Getting access to the switches looks easy enough, 2 screws (can be seen at top of plastic switch panel, under the leather seating) and a clip tucked round the corner, should allow panel to pull away.
Might be worth swapping the switch from the other seat to eliminate things..

 

Ill have a look later to see if the front still moves.. cant honestly say ive ever noticed it move on either seat

Ill see if I can get under the front to see if anything is jammed..