1995 E320 Passenger seat won't move forward or backward...
 

I recently inherited a 95 e320. The passenger seat moves upward and downward, but it doesn't move forward or backward. And the headrest doesn't move either.

I hear this faint and weak motor noise when i push the switch, but the seat just stays put.

Please help!

Theo

The headrest issue is most likely as discussed in this thread:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/53955-w124-headrests-do-not-go-up.html?highlight=124+headrest

Can't help with the others other than the usual troubleshooting you'd do for any electrical thing, try to bypass the switch and see if you can get the seat moving for those functions. If not, then it could be the motors, etc. themselves on the seat. Not an easy job to remove and disassemble a 124 seat, but doable if you are a good DIY'er.

Plenty of 124 parts in the yards.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 344K

Thanks for the tip Chris. My skill level is very light, so i might just turn it to my local shop for the repair. hopefully it won't cost too much. I got a quote for $300 on a passenger seat so i'm really tempted to just switch out the seat. Unfortunately it's light grey instead of light creamy beige. :(

Check for cracked wires in the door hinge area. You already have a strike against you with the degradeable insulation and the extra movement at the hinge might be just enough to crack it giving you a short. BTW, the back and forward function motor operates off the same power and ground source as the head rest in the seat switch on your door.

I seriously doubt you actually have a problem with the seat itself. It is more than likely the switch or the wires running to it at the hinge.

Here is the cut wire I found on mine (at the hinge) - same symptoms as yours.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...rSeatWires.png

Here is the repair I did on mine; although, it is not necessary to pull all the wires back. You can just tape them.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...o/DSC00488.jpg

Hi pwogaman,

That ansounds great. I'll give it a shot tonight.

Thanks!!