02 C230K (coupe): "Driver's seat lock" message; seats not working

[pkor]

I've decided to do a nice carwash/detailing this weekend, and during the process I have noticed that the driver's seat stopped moving (as well as the steering column). When I've started the engine, the error message came up: "Driver's seat lock" with the picture that is supposed to indicate that the seat is folded and I need to completely unfold it. I've seen that message occasionally came up before, but it was always going away after I've folded and unfolded the seat. This time is didn't, though.
I assumed it is a sensor/switch that supposed to detect when the seat is folded. I could not find the location of that switch in my repair manual and spent nearly whole day yesterday looking for it - until a faint click it makes finally gave it away. I could not reach the switch, but I was able to track the wires that went into the control module, and attach multimeter - to my big surprise the switch was working. I don't know what else can be broken besides the control module in this case.
I really need some advices here:

First: it is possible to move the seat without the motor? It broke when I was working on the car, and the seat stuck in the worst possible position - all the way forward. I drove two miles on this car today, and it was a nightmare. Besides the inconvenience while driving, it prevents me from removing the seat, because the the front pair of bolts that holds this seat are covered now.

Second: do I need to look at anything else besides the control module?

Third: any advices on getting the right replacement module? My passenger module is broken already (power drain), so I'll have to replace them both. Those modules are quite expensive, and I had no luck in finding used ones on ebay. I read somewhere that modules from e-class are compatible, but I cannot find that thread anymore.

[mbdoc]

There are reman units available,

[pkor]

I figured it out yesterday. My goal was at least to move the seat to the position where I can drive the car until it is fixed; after some looking and thinking I've concluded that it is not possible to do without the operational motor. I had the diagram, so I traced where the motor plugs into the control module, and measured the voltage from the operational seat. It was 12V. I pulled that connector from the module, plugged it to 12V - and got the seat moving back. After I was done with it, I've decided, just for the heck of it, plug everything back in and give it a try - and to my biggest surprise the seat was properly working! I played with it a bit more and found out when I move the seat completely forward and fold the backrest - all motors stop working, and the seat goes dead. Nothing helps after that (including disconnected battery) except manually powering the motor with 12v to move the chair back from the dead spot. Truly amazing.
I don't know how to find another explanation for this except the firmware glitch. I know at least one more - the easy exit feature once quit on me, and miraculously came back to life after I've disconnected the battery for a few hours. What can I say - damn computers everywhere, but nothing helps better with computers than a reset button
These happy times weren't for long. Today I'm coming back from work and see that some a$$ keyed my car at the part-and-ride lot. Oh well Wish I'd got the bastard.