91 TE wagon Seats Won't move when front door is door closed. When Driver door is open Either front seat can be moved but not when door is closed far enough to trip the door light switch. If the switch in door frame is depressed manually neither seat will adjust. It does not matter what position the interior light switch is in.

I have not been able to figure out the relationship between the two. My First thought was pinched wires, but I can't reconcile with the door light switch. Any ideas?--1991 300TE wagon in South Texas

Seems like it's working as it should - with the key out, door switches work if a door is open, don't work if the doors are closed. Has nothing to do with the lights per se but the lights might be triggered by the same switch. With MBs 2 inches ajar or less is considered closed. In older MBs the window switches work when the doors are open. I haven't tried with newer MBs.

Always bugged me that MB switches aren't as sensitive as Japanese car switches. Japanese car cabin and warning lights stay lit until the door is fully closed. With an MB the door can be only at the first catch and nothing tells you the door is ajar othat than it won't lock.

Sixto
93 300SD

I have always been able to adjust the seat while driving. Now I have to open the door to move it or the headrest. How could the door switch affect seat movement? Also the passenger seat will no longer move with the driver door closed-----wierd.

Ah, that's different! My guess is the problem is a faulty seat diode in the fusebox. Try this thread -

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=163501

Sixto
93 300SD

I just realized that the power windows and sunroof also quit working at the same time. I suspect a fuse for those. do you think they could be related to the diode?

i am waiting on my Haynes manual to come in and do not know where the fuses for the windows, etc. can be found. Is there an inside fuse box or do I need to go under the hood? There is a cold rain falling so I have not gone back out to explore this more.

I appreciate all your help Sixto.

The failures of the windows and the seats are likely related. The windows get power when the ignition switch is on, as do the seats. The seats also get power when the door is opened.

It certainly could be a fuse. It could also be the ignition switch, although that would probably affect other things as well.

FYI--The wiper fuse can cause all of the afore mentioned problems as well as keeping the wiper from working. The nearest I have been able to determine; the fused wiper circuit supplies power to the switches/control modules for the windows, the sunroof, and the seat adjustment system. Now we all should know where to look if the listed items cease to function.

I am still not sure why the seats would still move with the door open when this fuse was out, unless maybe there is a separqate power circuit to the seat switches when the door is open. Who'd a thunk! Right?

Blows my mind until I remember "engineered like no other". Gotta love em.