Please help! Need to remove third row seat!

Paultattoo · 07-28-2022, 12:05 AM

OK, My kid dropped one of his ear pods into the seatbelt portion of the third row seat. We can send a signal to the ear pod and hear it under the seat, but my hands do not fit and I just can't find the damn thing. I can hear it, but that's it.

I tried to remove the seat. Took out the two bolts that are easy to get to under the front of the seats. But that's as far as I can get. I have been googling and youtubing to no avail.

So you know what's next... ask you guys.

How the heck do you take out the third row seat bottom?

jmciver · 07-28-2022, 06:05 AM

When I get home from work, I can take a look at the ISTA procedure (the BMW factory maintenance procedures)….

MystroX5 · 07-28-2022, 06:30 AM

There is a lot going on with latch sensors with those seats so I would be very careful what you do. They are very complicated in how they operate. I had to have one fixed because it wouldn’t drop the head rest when the switch was activated.

Try a magnet on a stick idea.
https://www.amazon.com/VASTOOLS-Tele...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Gorngalay · 07-28-2022, 06:34 AM

Maybe something like this could reach it...
Flexible Magnetic Grabber https://a.co/d/0ufFAhL

Gorngalay · 07-28-2022, 06:35 AM

Haha, great minds think alike...after I hit submit I saw your post.

streborx · 07-28-2022, 10:00 AM

Could be easier to buy a set of corded headphones so it doesn't happen again (or tell your kid to get used to monophonic music) lol.

roxxor · 07-28-2022, 10:44 AM

Here are some instructions from ISTA. Doesn't look too complicated, just maybe time consuming going slowly to be careful not to damage anything. The special tool it mentions is just a plastic wedge trim piece tool, any generic one should work.

Hope this helps!

Brigitte · 07-28-2022, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paultattoo

OK, My kid dropped one of his ear pods into the seatbelt portion of the third row seat. We can send a signal to the ear pod and hear it under the seat, but my hands do not fit and I just can't find the damn thing. I can hear it, but that's it.

I tried to remove the seat. Took out the two bolts that are easy to get to under the front of the seats. But that's as far as I can get. I have been googling and youtubing to no avail.

So you know what's next... ask you guys.

How the heck do you take out the third row seat bottom?

One time I dropped a key...I couldn't retrieve it. So I used a magnet with a fairly long handle. I was able to retrieve it. I'm not sure if there is any metal in the construction of an ear pod...it could be all plastic!

blutob2 · 07-28-2022, 11:13 AM

Might be just easier to buy a new airpod

Brigitte · 07-28-2022, 11:32 AM

If you have a double-sided heavy duty tape...you can wrap it around the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver or flexible bar..etc. Then insert it where the earpod is...it would stick to the tape..

streborx · 07-28-2022, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxxor

Here are some instructions from ISTA. Doesn't look too complicated, just maybe time consuming going slowly to be careful not to damage anything. The special tool it mentions is just a plastic wedge trim piece tool, any generic one should work.

Hope this helps!

Is there a source where the complete X7 ISTA can be purchased?

roxxor · 07-28-2022, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streborx

Is there a source where the complete X7 ISTA can be purchased?

Completely free, you can find links to download it on several car forums.

rccarps2 · 07-28-2022, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blutob2

Might be just easier to buy a new airpod

Or pay the dealer to remove/replace. I think the going rate at my dealer is about $180/hr. Don't think it would take more than that. IMO, I would leave it to the dealer to disassemble/assemble something like that.

But my first try would be the various suggestions above with grabbers/tape/etc.

Braydenx · 07-28-2022, 09:33 PM

if u pay 180 for dealer why not just buy a new one

Braydenx · 07-28-2022, 09:35 PM

my suggestion: try off-roading!

Braydenx · 07-28-2022, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxxor

Completely free, you can find links to download it on several car forums.

Can you provide a link?Thanks!

07-28-2022, 12:05 AM	#1
Paultattoo Paul Tattoo 191 Rep 484 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW X7 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Please help! Need to remove third row seat! OK, My kid dropped one of his ear pods into the seatbelt portion of the third row seat. We can send a signal to the ear pod and hear it under the seat, but my hands do not fit and I just can't find the damn thing. I can hear it, but that's it. I tried to remove the seat. Took out the two bolts that are easy to get to under the front of the seats. But that's as far as I can get. I have been googling and youtubing to no avail. So you know what's next... ask you guys. How the heck do you take out the third row seat bottom? __________________ Received on 12/28/2023: 2024 X7 XDrive 40i Obsidian Black, Coffee Vernasca Leather, M SPORT, EXECUTIVE, DYNAMIC, ASSISTANCE PRO PKG, LUX SEATING, COLD WEATHER, PARK ASSIST, Ambient Air, Shadowline Trim, Harman Kardon, Trailer Hitch.
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07-28-2022, 06:05 AM	#2
jmciver ///M SubDriver 1848 Rep 2,788 Posts Drives: 2017 M3, 2020 X7 40i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: DMV iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M3 [10.00] 2020 BMW X7 [0.00] 2019 BMW X3 [0.00] 2009 BMW 128i [0.00]	When I get home from work, I can take a look at the ISTA procedure (the BMW factory maintenance procedures)…. __________________ ///M3 *COMPETITION 6MT* - 2017 F80 Smoked Topaz Metallic BM3 / MP-HAS / GC Camber Plates / Carbonstructure Interior X7 XDrive 40i ///M-SPORT - 2020 G07 Arctic Grey Metallic X3 XDrive 30i - 2019 G01 Mineral White (wife's) / 128i 6MT - 2009 E82 Jet Black (son's)
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07-28-2022, 06:30 AM	#3
MystroX5 Major General 6322 Rep 5,355 Posts Drives: 2020 X7 M50i/ 911 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Central Pa. iTrader: (0)	There is a lot going on with latch sensors with those seats so I would be very careful what you do. They are very complicated in how they operate. I had to have one fixed because it wouldn’t drop the head rest when the switch was activated. Try a magnet on a stick idea. https://www.amazon.com/VASTOOLS-Tele...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-28-2022, 06:34 AM	#4
Gorngalay New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: X7 m50i Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	Maybe something like this could reach it... Flexible Magnetic Grabber https://a.co/d/0ufFAhL
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07-28-2022, 06:35 AM	#5
Gorngalay New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: X7 m50i Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	Haha, great minds think alike...after I hit submit I saw your post.
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07-28-2022, 10:00 AM	#6
streborx Major 681 Rep 1,111 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW X7 M50i Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Could be easier to buy a set of corded headphones so it doesn't happen again (or tell your kid to get used to monophonic music) lol.
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07-28-2022, 11:13 AM	#9
blutob2 Lieutenant 285 Rep 523 Posts Drives: 2022 X7 40i Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Kansas City iTrader: (0)	Might be just easier to buy a new airpod
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07-28-2022, 11:32 AM	#10
Brigitte Major 486 Rep 1,206 Posts Drives: 2023 Mazda CX-9 Join Date: May 2022 Location: US iTrader: (0)	If you have a double-sided heavy duty tape...you can wrap it around the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver or flexible bar..etc. Then insert it where the earpod is...it would stick to the tape..
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07-28-2022, 09:33 PM	#14
Braydenx Private 7 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2017 F85 X5M & 2019 X7 50i Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	if u pay 180 for dealer why not just buy a new one
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07-28-2022, 09:35 PM	#15
Braydenx Private 7 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2017 F85 X5M & 2019 X7 50i Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	my suggestion: try off-roading!
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