I have an 87 300D.
when I bought the car, the I could adjust the seats normally.
Since I am the only one that drives the car, I went for a long time without trying to make any adjustments.

Recently, I tried to adjust my drivers seat, but none of the controls would work.

I discovered that I have to open the front door to get the seat controls to work. The passenger seat adjustments work, but only with one of the doors opened.
Is this a common problem, and does anyone have any ideas on where to start looking???

THanks,

There should be a control box under the drivers seat, kind of a pain to get to. I removed the seat, I think you have to. Maybe a cold solder joint, etc.

CarpeDiem,
I looked under the seat, but didnt see control box you are talking about.
I think I may just live with it, especially since I am the only driver.
Thanks for the insight!!!

Do you have a w124 or w126? My advice pertains to a w124.

The driver's seat will only operate when 1 of 2 conditions are met.

1. Driver's door opened and key in off position.
2. Driver's door shut, and key in on position.

If it works in scenario #1, then the problem is that you are not getting the key in the on position power....

If your ignition switch is worn, you can sometimes get power restored by moving the key slightly to one side or the other while the key is in the #2 (or on) position.

Try holding the seat control on, then wiggling the key.

As a followup question, when the seat fails operate when the door is closed, will your HVAC fan come on? If no, then your problem is the ignition switch, if yes, it's the control box.

Jim

__________________
14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

CarpeDiem-It is a 124 model. (My username probably tripped you up. I used to have a 126, but got rid if it, and got a 124)

Jim,
Thanks for the info. I dont have any answers yet, but I will check. I think it is the control box

The controls work if the door is opened, regardless of what position the key is in.
The controls do not work if the door is closed, regardless of the position of the key.

You may have missed the control box it's fastened to the underside of the seat and kind of tough to see.

I disabled a door switch by pulling it out of the door and laying it along side of the door frame, there is enough room to close the door.

Could it be that a wire in the door has worn through and touches metal until the door is opened?