No Power Windows, Power Seats. Update: MBDoc Please Help
 

My significant other was moving her (driver seat) forward. I had a can of air freshener under there (from when I bought the car recently). Anyway, after a second of it being jammed, I pulled the can out. Now, the power windows and power seats do not work. I looked under the seat with a flashlight and all of the connectors were in place. I also checked and replaced all of the relevant fuses (the fuses were good, but I replaced them for good measure). I cannot imagine all of the fuses going out at once. Convenience (trunk) relay? Alarm system (PO removed existing)? Suggestions? TIA. Michael

Did you look at the fuses in the trunk?

Thanks Steve. Yes, I checked them and they were all good. I replaced them anyway. Still no power.

When the key is on, do you have power (12V) at fuse #26 in the front fuse box?
That allows the power seat relay to power up the seat fuses.

Possibly the seat relay is bad. Both the power seat relay & the power window relays are in the trunk. Next to each other.

Doc, I will check fuse number 26 this morning. As far as trunk relays go, I only see one to the left of the trunk fuse box. It has a 30amp fuse in it. Is there someplace else I should be looking for two relays? Thanks Doc. Michael

In front of the spare under a plastic cover to the passenger side.

Thanks Doc. I will check them out this morning as well. Michael

Well, thanks to MBDoc, I checked fuse 26 in the front compartment and it was blown. It has since blown two other times. I will probably have to go out and buy more fuses to check at which circuit it blows by depressing each feature. What else should I check to find the fuse blowing culprit?

In my meager mind, I am what feels like electrical system hell. Fuse number 26 blows the minute ignition is turned on. Here is what I tried:

Disconnected each of the following with a new fuse installed each time:
Pulled seat relay (trunk)
Aftermarket stereo system
Aftermarket amp
Pulled window relay (trunk)
Swapped new/working relay for front convenience (30 amp fused)(under secondary cover under hood)
Swapped new/working relay for rear fuse box relay (30 amp fused) (next to fuse box in trunk 30 amp fused)
Pulled all window switches (one by one) cleaned with 99% alcohol
Pulled side view switches (one by one) cleaned with 99% alcohol

I have not pulled either the door/seat switches or the plug under the seat as I have not figured out how yet.

In each case the fuse blows immediately. It did not start out that way. I was able to replace the fuse at first and it would give me opportunity to put down windows or adjust seats. Now, each replacement fuse blows almost instantaneously after the ignition is turned on.

Please help. Thank you. Michael

Everything worked before the seat met the air freshener? I would suspect something under the seat. Maybe a wire is exposed. You may have to take the seat out so that you can closely examine all the wires and connectors.

Thanks Vanwiek. Makes sense. Do I need a special tool to remove those star bolts to remove seats? Thanks.

No problem,

I'm not sure, mine has normal 13mm bolts. But I'm pretty sure that you can get a set that you need anywhere tools are sold.

Keep us updated...

I was able to get the seat off and looked at the motor and connection/connectors and did not see anything suspicious. I jiggled a few things and I was able to get the fuse to stay put for about fifteen minutes. The last thing I pressed in that circuit was the DS power window. I also checked the old telephone wires for loose or exposed wiring. I did not see anything. I mention the telephone because the two other circuits on this fuse are the "Airbag Light" and the "Telephone" as labeled in my front fuse box cover. I am at wits end. I hope someone will point me in the right direction; pretty please. Thank you in advance. Michael