1991 W126 rear seat reclines only on the right side - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Maruzo · #1 10-01-2012, 12:28 AM

Purchased a 1991 560sel this weekend. The interior is in excellent condition. Upon closer examination of the seat functions, i found that the rear seats only reclines on the right side. The left side doesn't move at all.

Any tip on how to troubleshoot this issue? The rear left window also do not close all the way, leaving a good 2 inches opening that felt loose when I close it up manually using my hand.

The OEM radio doesn't seem to work, although the antenna does extend upward when I turn on the power. The LCD screen is shattered for some reason. I will be switching out the head unit anyway, but this 91 560sel does not have an antenna switch on the dashboard. Very strange.

Appreciate any help you guys can offer.

Mars

Maruzo · #2 10-01-2012, 12:31 AM

Here's a few more photos of my w126.

Gilly · #3 10-01-2012, 05:00 AM

Take picture of the switches in the center console please.
Common cause for the failure of anything with the switch on the doors is a wire breaking in the conduit between the door and body.
Diagnose by removing the rear seat back and spending some quality time with the electrical diagram and a test light or multimeter, or if you want you can start at the switch in the door (after checking fuses).
If you want to retain the original radio you can try a new faceplate, it is a seperate part. Is the faceplate really cracked or does it look more like this "*****" or "= = = ="?

pmckechnie · #4 10-02-2012, 08:30 AM

Maruzo, do you mean the SEAT only reclines on the right side but the left side doesn't move at all? OR do you mean that the rear seat only reclines when you use the right side door switch but not from the left side door switch? I have had both problems with my 500SEL. Maybe I could help if I knew more.

Paul

Maruzo · #5 10-02-2012, 09:31 AM

Hi Gilly,

The faceplate is really cracked. Half of the lcd is blackened and the other half showed nothing when i powered it on. I can't even see if I need to input a radio code to start the radio.

Been driving it yesterday to transfer the vehicle title. Car is beginning to develop a sputter. Engine seems lethargic and rpm doesn't move up smoothly no matter how much gas i gave it.

Wondering if the coil pack needs to be replaced. I had that same "sputter" on my 95 e320. It got so bad that the car was running on half cylinders.

Hope it's not the same issue on this one as well.

I forgot to mention but the footwell is cracked and missing a big piece on the lower left side. Is this an easily replaceable part?

Hi pmckehnie:

Yes, that's exactly what i meant. I tried both switches and they yielded the same result. Only the right portion of the seat reclined.

Mars

pmckechnie · #6 10-02-2012, 01:06 PM

The comments I make are about my 84 500SEL but I think your car is basically
the same. Under the rear seat cushion there is a motor with a drive cable on each end. One cable for the left side and one for the right side. On my car, one of the cables had slipped out on one side. I just pushed it back in and it has worked every since.
Has the car been sitting for a long time (old gas)? If so, As long as it runs try to use up the gas in it and fill it with premium gas, then take it out on the interstate and run it hard. These cars don't like old gas and slow driving.
The broken part in the floor is a foot rest. It is part of the left kick panel. I have never had one out, but I don't believe it would be too hard to replace.

Paul

Ritchie · #7 10-02-2012, 01:13 PM

Love that interior color.

compu_85 · #8 10-02-2012, 01:55 PM

If you're dead set on having the stock stereo system working, I have a spare BE1432 faceplate...

-J