ozmerc

[john Cleary]

124 Coupe/ cabriolet question: How do the seat locks work? There is a release button in the seat back but in my cab both front seats can tilt forward at any time. Is the locking mechanism mechanical/ electrical/ electronic? Please help. I was in another cabriolet where the locks seemed to work after the motor was running.

[Mike D]

What year?

The older locks are vacuum actuated. Not much sense in have the seats locked if the car is not running. There is a dual vacuum diaphragm beneath each seat. The engine runs, creates vacuum and the diaphragms contract, locking the seats. The push button vents the vacuum and springs unlock the latches.

Most of these have been disabled due to other vacuum leak problems (fuel doors, door lock leaks, bad diaphragms, etc.).

[john Cleary]

Thanks Mike. The car is a 1996. Last of the 124 in Australia. It probably is
vacuum operated. It seems so dangerous to drive without the seats locked. i have just bought the car and the previous owner seemed unaware that the seats could be tilted as we drove.