Why does my seatback position not stay in the seat memory?

**Tekk** · 01-09-2010 10:26 AM

I've never really had the need to use the seat position memory as I've been the only person to drive my car. But this morning I decided to input my normal driving position along with my spirited driving position for when I'm out in the local mountain roads (a little closer to the wheel with a straighter back).

So after numerous tries with the seat memory, it seems to refuse to remember the position of the seatback. It remembers everything else such as mirrors and seatbottom but the back it will always put to a straight up position. Has anyone else experienced this? This doesn't seem normal to me at all.

Thanks for any input!!

**ahhhudi** · 01-09-2010 10:35 AM

I don't think that is normal. I have a similar situation in my S4, except only the driver's side mirror doesn't restore to set position... but that's not that big of a deal. I think I've read a few other Audi owners having this issue.

**justinperkins** · 01-09-2010 10:57 AM

Can you adjust the seat back or is it totally dead?

A couple things, probably unrelated but worth mentioning:

1) If the stop button is depressed then nothing will work
2) If your key is tied to a memory position, then the seat will reset to that number every time you unlock the car with that key and open the door.

**jriddle11** · 01-09-2010 11:06 AM

Mine also does not remember the seatback position. I had the dealership re-set everything and it still goes back to straight up. If any one has a way to fix the issue let me know too.

**handyvorb** · 01-09-2010 11:41 AM

Need to know the faults stored in the Driver Seat Memory Control Module (address word 36 on VAG-COM), as there are many possible failure situations. You could also try setting the basic setting on the seat motors, also requiring VAG-COM address word 36. The next step after that would be checking out the measuring value blocks with VAG-COM.

jriddle11, why didn't you have the dealership diagnose the problem?

**jriddle11** · 01-09-2010 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by handyvorb

Need to know the faults stored in the Driver Seat Memory Control Module (address word 36 on VAG-COM), as there are many possible failure situations. You could also try setting the basic setting on the seat motors, also requiring VAG-COM address word 36. The next step after that would be checking out the measuring value blocks with VAG-COM.

jriddle11, why didn't you have the dealership diagnose the problem?

The dealership said they tried but could not figure out what the problem was. I was kind of surprised because they normally get any problems I have fixed right away. Do you need the full version of VAG to fix this? If not I think I can have a friend fix my problem. If I do, then I will just take it to the delearship. Thanks!

**Tekk** · 01-09-2010 01:15 PM

Well nice to see that Im not the only one but unfortunate that there isn't an exact fix just yet. I'll see what my dealer can do for me when I take it in for the coil-pack recall fix.

**rxbike** · 05-13-2010 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by handyvorb

Need to know the faults stored in the Driver Seat Memory Control Module (address word 36 on VAG-COM), as there are many possible failure situations. You could also try setting the basic setting on the seat motors, also requiring VAG-COM address word 36. The next step after that would be checking out the measuring value blocks with VAG-COM.

jriddle11, why didn't you have the dealership diagnose the problem?

Do you know what the block values should be in address 36 ? My driver seat memory does not work at all that I can tell. I can power it on and off but will not move the seats or any settings.

**MonkeyBiz** · 05-13-2010 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Tekk

...So after numerous tries with the seat memory, it seems to refuse to remember the position of the seatback. It remembers everything else such as mirrors and seatbottom but the back it will always put to a straight up position. Has anyone else experienced this? This doesn't seem normal to me at all.

Thanks for any input!!

Perhaps your ECU has become self-aware and is now fucking with you...

Just a thought...

**oblu** · 05-13-2010 11:49 AM

Mine has problems going back and forth between memory settings; if I move the seat waaaaaay out of position from either #1 or #2 settings and then press the button it will all work.

But going back and forth from #1 to #2 often the seat doesn't adjust.

**Justincredible** · 05-14-2010 05:52 AM

I don't know if this helps. But some keys will trigger a different position from setting 1 and 2.. or so Ive seen in my car.

**PNW Avant** · 04-08-2013 09:57 PM

Alright...bringing this one back from the dead...sorry guys.

I just integrated recaros and the seat memory switches into my 2008 avant. Everything works great, aside from the seat back. It shoots me up forward every time and will not remember the position. Forward/back/up/down are all working great.

Anyone ever figure this out?

EDIT: Looks like this guy figured it out, but through my research on the 'net, that hasn't always been the case. Not looking forward to a new seat module.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post3949046

**JayTeeC** · 03-19-2014 12:52 PM

Resurrecting this post once again, just for searchers. I had the same problem as OP; dealer diagnosed as a bad seat motor ("sensor that knows where the seatback is located, has failed; sensor is on the seat motor; replace whole motor; $350 please (dont recall amount, but waay too much)). A few days later I'm doing some basic VAGCOM mods (windows, door unlock, seatbelt chime) and found the place to select driver key fob memory for the seats. You can select to enable or disable the key fob remembering the seat position [comf/conv, 36 driver seat mem orig value 00002, set to 00003 disable remote recall]. I disabled it, since i'm the only driver of this car. Then reset my new seat memory settings - no problems since. The problem is not the motor or sensor - it is tied to the key fob memory setting (fighting with the in-car setting??). Memory works perfectly now and I'm not concerned with it trying to remember settings by fob as well.

**TarlCabot** · 03-19-2014 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by JayTeeC

Resurrecting this post once again, just for searchers. I had the same problem as OP; dealer diagnosed as a bad seat motor ("sensor that knows where the seatback is located, has failed; sensor is on the seat motor; replace whole motor; $350 please (dont recall amount, but waay too much)). A few days later I'm doing some basic VAGCOM mods (windows, door unlock, seatbelt chime) and found the place to select driver key fob memory for the seats. You can select to enable or disable the key fob remembering the seat position [comf/conv, 36 driver seat mem orig value 00002, set to 00003 disable remote recall]. I disabled it, since i'm the only driver of this car. Then reset my new seat memory settings - no problems since. The problem is not the motor or sensor - it is tied to the key fob memory setting (fighting with the in-car setting??). Memory works perfectly now and I'm not concerned with it trying to remember settings by fob as well.

Thanks for the update GOOD info there :)

**oreo8716** · 03-19-2014 05:23 PM

gota give that a try

**PNW Avant** · 03-19-2014 07:06 PM

I cannot wait to try this when i get home!!!!!!!!

**PNW Avant** · 03-19-2014 11:33 PM

WOW! Thank you so much for posting JayTeeC. I have been struggling with this for over a year and can thankfully say the struggle is over!

My seatback would remember position - but only to a certain angle. After that it would not remember.

For search purposes, I want to share my experience tonight, too:
First, changing the coding to 00003 didn't actually do anything. The car accepted the coding, and I immediately started fiddling with the positions. No change, still would not remember past a position. Then I shut down VAGCOM and turned the key off, then on again. Fiddled again, still no change. Then, I started poking around in vagcom again. In the adaptation menu, the default channel of 81 pops up. There was a little message that said "enter 20771 to learn vehicle data" or something like that. I entered that number, hit test, and save. It certainly accepted it, but nothing seemed to happen.

Then, i started fiddling again, and voila!! The issue is FIXED!

The reason I wanted to post my experience above was, to me, it wasnt immediately clear whether it was the 00003 coding or the adaptation channel 81 entry which knocked my seat memory out of issue. Perhaps it just took a few minutes for it to take effect. Regardless, the issue is now fixed.

For what its worth, my coding is now back to 00003 and I still have full range of memory positions available. From here on out, I will see if I can get all the functions working again, as per the manual, and I will post back with my experience!

THANK YOU AGAIN. You have made me a few happy guy.

**JayTeeC** · 03-20-2014 06:32 AM

Awesome, so glad to hear!

FWIW, I didnt mess with channel 81 stuff; but I dont think i played with the seat mem till the next day, probably next evening, IIRC. Damn work gets in the way of everything...

**PNW Avant** · 03-20-2014 10:45 AM

Good to know. I think the channel 81 changes I made simply made my fault code go away. The fault code I had was something like "VIN doesnt match". My set up is a retrofit from a S4 into my '08 A4.

I am thrilled thank you again sir. If you ever find yourself in the northwest i owe you a beer!