1987 300 tdt rear seat stuck in down - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot · #1 02-09-2014, 04:16 PM

Hi, im at the car wash right now trying to get the small rear seat (right side/passenger side rear seat) up. I have used every swear word I know and even googled some German ones but none work. What is keeping it locked down? And even more importantly how do I get it loose? It comes up maybe 2 inches and then locks up. The red plastic handle under the front of the seat won't move. Any thoughts?

jay_bob · #2 02-09-2014, 07:18 PM

Let me clarify:

Is the seat in the folded position now? IE the rear seat bottom is folded up against the front seat back and the rear seat backrest is horizontal?

If so try moving the passenger seat forward. Chances are the front passenger seat is all the way back and it is jamming the seat bottom against the backrest.

The red handle is there to allow removal of the seat bottom cushion. With the seat bottom in the vertical position, pull up on the red handle while lifting the seat bottom off the two posts.

vstech · #3 02-09-2014, 09:55 PM

I wonder exactly what he's asking...

red handle makes me think he's trying to remove the rear seat bottom from the car...

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot · #4 02-12-2014, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

I wonder exactly what he's asking...

red handle makes me think he's trying to remove the rear seat bottom from the car...

The bottom seat is held down by the seat back folded forward. I can't get the back to come up at all except for the mentioned 2" and then there is absolutely NO movement at all.

How do i get the seat back up so I can get the seat bottom out?
I mentioned the red push handel because that seems stuck as well but obviously I can't tell with the seat back stuck in the folded position.

The seat back and seat bottom behind the driver work well.

Obamalamadingdong · #5 02-12-2014, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

The bottom seat is held down by the seat back folded forward. I can't get the back to come up at all except for the mentioned 2" and then there is absolutely NO movement at all.

How do i get the seat back up so I can get the seat bottom out?
I mentioned the red push handel because that seems stuck as well but obviously I can't tell with the seat back stuck in the folded position.

The seat back and seat bottom behind the driver work well.

Have you been trying to get the seat up with that sides door closed? If so try it with the door open, there is a button near the door latch that must not remain pushed in to unlock the seat back, if for some reason that button is not moving outward unlocking the seat back when the door is open it might be preventing the seat from returning to its upright position also!

Sometimes the seat unlocking mechanism develops problems from not being manipulate frequently also, you might try operating the seat back lock while attempting to lift the seat back into its upright position.

Generally the seat back would not be folded forward and down with the seat cushion still in its normal position, the seat cushion is folded up or removed and then the seat back folded down, there might be some issue with the seat back not being able to fold completely down before being able to be folded back upright if the seat cushion interferes with that complete range of motion perhaps?

vstech · #6 02-12-2014, 08:43 PM

ok... the 40% upper seat back is folded forward some? is the seat bottom folded up? (it sounds like it, because you can see the red handle) like Jay said, if the FRONT seat is too far back, the seat LOCKS together.
if the seat back is upright, and you are trying to lift the seat bottom into the upper position, yeah, the rear door needs to be open. you need to grasp the black hand grip area and lift... and the seat back needs to be fully back to get the bottom up. look to see if the seat belt is jammed under the seatback keeping it from fully uprignting.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot · #7 02-13-2014, 08:36 AM

Thanks all but I have tried with the door open, button manipulation, front seat far forward etc. When I say that the seat back is stuck in the folded forward position that means that it isn't upright....it's folded forward.

daw_two · #8 02-13-2014, 09:43 AM

What position is the BOTTOM of the rear seat? Is it folded forward or is it UNDER the the BACK folded down?

jay_bob · #9 02-13-2014, 10:22 AM

My 300TD is encrusted in ice right now or I would go out and take a picture.

So please excuse the cheesy graphics but if you squint real hard it starts to resemble a car...

Normally the seats are like this, if you were looking in from the right side of the car:

\__....\__

When you fold the back seat, the first step is to bring the bottom cushion up

\ |....\__

Then you remove the headrest and fold the backrest down flat

__|...\__

Now if you have the front seat too far back you will end up with this

__| \__

The back of the front seat pushes against the (now vertical) seat bottom cushion of the back seat. This in turn jams the (now horizontal) backrest of the back seat against the bottom of the back seat bottom cushion.

If you move the front seat forward slightly this relieves the pressure on the back seat parts and should let the back seat backrest rise up.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot · #10 02-14-2014, 01:45 AM

Really???
No one understands what I mean when I say that the back of the seat is folded forward? The seat is in the normal seat position and the back of the seat is folded forward. What is impossible to understand about that?

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot · #11 02-14-2014, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daw_two

What position is the BOTTOM of the rear seat? Is it folded forward or is it UNDER the the BACK folded down?

Again, the BOTTOM of the seat is in normal seat position as if someone were going to sit on it and the back of the seat is*folded forward. The back of the seat wil not unfold.
I hope that is clear and I will not have to state it again because I am out of ways to describe this. If anyone has an answer as to how I can get the seatback unlatched/stuck please reply. Thanks

Shortsguy1 · #12 02-14-2014, 08:56 AM

I think that folks were puzzled because your current arrangement is not normal. In my 87, I need to raise up the seat bottom to its vertical position before the seat back can move at all. Somehow you got the seat back to fold forward without moving the seat bottom out of the way, which is unusual. I suspect you are in unchartered waters. Sorry to not have additional suggestions.

jay_bob · #13 02-14-2014, 09:23 AM

There is an interlock that prevents folding the backrest forward until two things have happened:
1 - the seat bottom cushion is raised out of the sitting position.
2 - the associated door is open.

I suspect that something has caused the seat back interlock to break. Probably the interlock associated with condition 1. This may be what is preventing you from putting the seat back upright.

vstech · #14 02-14-2014, 09:44 AM

pics may help... but I think damage may have been done.

I'll be next to my parts wagon today I hope, if so, I'll open it up and look at the mechanism

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot · #15 02-14-2014, 12:00 PM

Thanks all.
I took a few pics but can't download them for some reason.
The seat has been in this position for 2 years in storage. If there is some way to free it up without tearing everything apart that would be great!
I have to drive it now since the trans went south in my 95 E300D.
And, VS, I hear the turbo screech when accelerating, do you have a source for a good used turbo or reputable builder or kit? Car has 307, 000 miles on it and engine still is strong.
Thanks