Power seats won't work with door closed
 

I have recently repaired my driver seat (the cable that makes it go up or down) and now when I drive the car my power seats won't work, but will if the passenger door is open. I have tried searching on it and have returned nothing any help would be greatly appreciated thax.

Will they work with the door closed and the KEY in the ON position?

If so, that is how it is SUPPOSED TO WORK.

Basically, a child safety deal -- so a child can't play and get crushed between seat and steering wheel.

brookspw

Need info on the year and model of the car.

Sorry, did not see the "when I drive the car" part. I guess you have the key in the ON position when you drive it, huh?

brookspw

It is a 1987 w124 300D turbo

First check fuse #2, if that's positively OK, then I would suspect either the power seat diode, or a wiring problem.
Gilly

I know it has to be a diode Because the fuse is allright, How would I find and or repair the diode if possible?

I had a similar problem with my W126 and got some very helpful responses. I tried to give you a link to the thread directly, but no success today.

Anyway, the Subject Title is: No Power Seats w/door closed

if you do a search for Old Blue as User Name, you will see it listed. It did not come up for me when I did a "subject search".

Based on my experience it is either:

A. The diode (which prevents power from energizing the seat motors unless the key is On - under normal operation)

B. A short under the fuse/relay box that is again preventing power from energizing the motors.

In my case it was a small short that the dealer diagnosed quickly. The diode gets bypassed when your door is open, allowing seat adjustment prior to sitting down. Therefore the diode is a logical check, and there is a good pic of what it looks like on my previous thread.

Good luck .... Michael

Don't know if this will help, but I had the same problem with a 1986 300E. Same chassis, I figure the same relay box. Replacing the diode was the fix. On the 300E, the diode is a little guy at the very back of a box of relays aft of the fuse box on the driver's side of the engine compartment. It's right up against the firewall next to the hood hinge, as I recall. The part is inexpensive and easy to replace (if you have small fingers). I dropped my failed one between the relay box and the firewall and never saw it again.