My front powered seats do not function without turning the car on.
THEY SHOULD WORK.What could be wrong?

Thanx for your help.

1991 190e 2.6

Did US models come with seats that worked with the ignition off before '99? I know for a fact by law that the windows don't work with the ignition off. Did yours work before and then all of a sudden quit?

Kuan

I'm pretty sure that Kuan is correct. For safety reasons US law prohibits power seats from working while the key is off. This prevents a child from crushing themselves by playing with the seat controls if they are left alone to play in the front seat (which they shouldn't be anyway, but this is the USA for ya.) Either the door has to be open, or the key has to be on. That's the way my W126 is also.

DADMAC,
Try operating the seats with one of the front doors open...

That's correct. In order to operate the seats one of the doors has to be open or the ignition on. If you open the door and cannot move the seats then you need to check your door switch. Once you get in the car and close the door your seats cannot be adjusted unless you trun on the ignition.

Vinamg

THATS JUST IT. MY POWERED SEATS DO NOT WORK WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED.
ANY SUGGESTIONS?

1991 190E 2.6

Check the door switches. Is your dome light turning on?

There is a diode in the fuse box that controls the power seats (door open) function. I would check that or the ice cube relays in the fuse box. The diode looks like a blade fuse that is grey in color.

Good luck....

They are correct, on my cars, you have to have the door open to move the seats, or when the key is in ignition and turned

Beatle juice is right. I forgot about the diode, it's probably the first thing you should check. However, on your car you cannot see it by just opening the fuse box. You have to take of the fuse cover 6 philip screws so you can access the rear of the fuse box (put the hood in upright position, it's much easier). You'll see a small gray plug next to all of the silver relays. That's your diode. Snap it open and check if it's burned. You can get it at the dealrship for a few bucks.

Vinamg

See my email to you, vinamg, about trying to FIND this diode.

brookspw