Good day fellow BMW owners. Long time lurker, first time poster.

I have an 08' 535i with 135k on the clock.

About a month ago i had what smelled like a fuse burn out behind the steering wheel. Since then the wheel hasn't moved at all. I saw smoke for a few moments and after being sure there wasn't a fire I've been driving it and there have been no symptomatic changes.

1. Power seats still work fine.

2. If it's a fuse then it's one I've not learned of. I've checked the couple behind the glove box i know to check.

3. When you press the button in any direction you can hear the faintest noise for just a split second like there's power to the switch but i can't confirm there is for sure.


What would you try next?

 

Sounds like your motor got jammed.. if you can actually hear something when you push the button then either the motor itself is dead (although I doubt you'd hear it click) Or the mechanism isn't working. Someone had a thread about unjamming it. I myself have mine just stop working, no power.. no idea Thankfully the wheel is in a good place for me so I have forgotten about it.

 

Good evening. Awesome. I can work with that. Any idea how to get that lower cowling off the bottom of the steering wheel?