Wait a minute, guys. I don't know if the '97 CL500 and 600 are different than the CE series but in both of those cars two things have to happen. 1) the door has to open, and 2) there has to be weight on the seat. This can be a bag of groceries or a six pack. I had a CE320 at one time but honestly don't remember how they worked. Your manual should certainly give you that information.
I've had trouble only once with the three cars that had presenters and it was a simple fix. There is a cheap plastic gear that wears out. There is a metal replacement found on Jim Forgione's great website.
Anziani