'95 E320 wagon headrest problem - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

85 DSEL · #1 01-05-2011, 09:12 AM

Is there a fuse that the headrests are linked to? All of a sudden, they stopped working! I miss 'em. Need 'em to work again. Help

Gilly · #2 01-05-2011, 09:31 AM

Ultimately there is, not sure which one or where, I think all the seat functions would quit, not just the headrests, if you blew the fuse.
Has anyone removed the headrests lately, like to install a seat cover? You yank the headrests out, then have to make sure they engage back into the little transmissions that move them up and down. The motors are either in the backrest or just below the seats. Do you hear them running?
Are they stuck in the up or down position?
What usually works, if the motors run, is to run then to the raised position, then push the headrest down rather quickly and they will snap back into place.

Gilly

85 DSEL · #3 01-05-2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

Ultimately there is, not sure which one or where, I think all the seat functions would quit, not just the headrests, if you blew the fuse.
Has anyone removed the headrests lately, >>No<< like to install a seat cover? You yank the headrests out, then have to make sure they engage back into the little transmissions that move them up and down. The motors are either in the backrest or just below the seats. Do you hear them running? >>No<<
Are they stuck in the up or down position? >>Down<<
What usually works, if the motors run, is to run then to the raised position, then push the headrest down rather quickly and they will snap back into place.

Gilly

Thanks for the reply Gilly. Not sure why they suddenly stopped working. It's been a few months and have just not had time to deal with them but I sure miss them as I am tall enough to need them raised a bit.

kwontumspeed · #4 01-05-2011, 10:19 AM

This isn't a solution, but may lead me to follow this thread:

Does it work with some assistance? That's exactly how mine behave. They stopped working, but if you help it along it does move with the motor...it just needs a little help. Maybe the motor has become tired. Signs of it about to go out.

85 DSEL · #5 01-05-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwontumspeed

This isn't a solution, but may lead me to follow this thread:

Does it work with some assistance? That's exactly how mine behave. They stopped working, but if you help it along it does move with the motor...it just needs a little help. Maybe the motor has become tired. Signs of it about to go out.

Seems that I remember one was extended a couple inches when it stopped working. Then I had to 'push' it back down for my wife. It's just never been back up since.

I read someplace that it does harm to the mechanism to force-ably move them. Seems possible.

mlozzi200478 · #6 01-05-2011, 06:48 PM

while we are on the head rest subject,my drivers side goes up and down freely,but the passengers head rest only goes up,i have to push it down manually,do you think the motor is weak or off track?

85 DSEL · #7 01-05-2011, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlozzi200478

while we are on the head rest subject,my drivers side goes up and down freely,but the passengers head rest only goes up,i have to push it down manually,do you think the motor is weak or off track?

Wish I could help you!

mbzman · #8 01-05-2011, 08:13 PM

From what I've heard there is a small plastic gear inside the motor/transmission that tends to break with age and use. I believe you can gain access to assess what might be the problem by removing the rear seat back panel. There should be a few threads on what to look for and how to correct it if you do a search.

Gilly · #9 01-06-2011, 04:40 AM

Mlozzi, no in your case, that sounds like the headrest is not snapped in to the transmission, raise the headrest and push down on it to snap it back in.

85 Dsel, I can try to look at a schematic later, very odd both sides would stop working at the same time, jst about to head out to work now.

85 DSEL · #10 01-06-2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

Mlozzi, no in your case, that sounds like the headrest is not snapped in to the transmission, raise the headrest and push down on it to snap it back in.

85 Dsel, I can try to look at a schematic later, very odd both sides would stop working at the same time, jst about to head out to work now.

Thanks Gilly. If you find a fuse link in there somewhere, let me know!

Gilly · #11 01-06-2011, 07:49 PM

Fuse "E", but that covers everything else in the seat as well, so not sure this is the answer. There is also a common ground for both seats, but again this is for all the functions, not just the headrest. If you want to get one of the switches loose I'd recommend diagnosing one and see if you can get to the bottom of it that way. There are 2 wires running to the headrest motor, a pink with green stripe and the other is just pink, you could try jumping B+ and ground to these wires and see if you can get it to move that way.
Does the car have memory seats?
Gilly

85 DSEL · #12 01-07-2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

...you could try jumping B+ and ground to these wires and see if you can get it to move that way.
Does the car have memory seats?
Gilly

Not too 'sharp' on automotive electronics but if I can find the correct wires are you suggesting that I jumper the two together?

No memory seats.

Thanks...

Gilly · #13 01-07-2011, 09:22 PM

You would find the wires under the seat, then one of 2 things. Using a car battery you could jump power and ground to the wires going in to the motor to see if it will work with an independent power source (the battery), OR you could just test the wires as they are to see if you are getting power and ground to the motor. Again I don't see any one thing that would fail that would kill both headrest motors at the same time, so it may be some odd coincidence that they both died at once. The only things common I see for them both would be taking out all the seat functions, not just the headrests.

Gilly

85 DSEL · #14 01-07-2011, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

You would find the wires under the seat, then one of 2 things. Using a car battery you could jump power and ground to the wires going in to the motor to see if it will work with an independent power source (the battery), OR you could just test the wires as they are to see if you are getting power and ground to the motor. Again I don't see any one thing that would fail that would kill both headrest motors at the same time, so it may be some odd coincidence that they both died at once. The only things common I see for them both would be taking out all the seat functions, not just the headrests.

Gilly

I agree that it seems coincidental that both have died at once but they sure did! As soon as it warms up a little, I will chase those wires and see if I can figure if out.

Thank you for your interest and time in this matter...

Gilly · #15 01-07-2011, 09:46 PM

And not to have you throw good money at a problem, but the usual suspect is the switch itself, in the door, which is the "whole" seat switch assembly, not just the headrest switch.
Gilly