W124 E220 Power Seat Fore & Aft Problem

[Mickeyv18]

Hi All!
Am slowly losing the will to live! I have tried going through the threads on other similar issues but haven't been able to find one with specifically the same problem as this
My beautiful '95 E220 saloon currently has an issue with the forward and backward movement of the power seat on the passenger side:
The motor seems to run (I can hear it) but there is no movement of the seat, however all other functions work perfectly via the switch and I have been able to move it manually once the seat is unattached (carefully using a pair of pliers on the 'drive shaft').
Having removed the seat I have identified that the plastic 'grommit' that seems to connect the 'drive shaft' that moves the seat is broken (see attached pic 1) however my Mercedes specialist is saying this has nothing to do with the forward and backward movement which I think is wrong.
He is telling me that he thinks its the motor that controls this function and that rather being one of the 3 motors below the seat its actually a motor built into the seat base?! Necessitating replacement of the whole seat base at a cost of some £1400 plus VAT from Mercedes????! I cant believe that's right and think he's confused?!
On another note has anyone the wiring diagram for the SRS sensor (airbag) on the same seat, as the two wires that connected that to the seat (under the seat front) have become detached and I don't know which colour wire goes into which part of the connector (the Specialist is concerned that incorrect insertion may cause the airbag to go off, again something I'm not convinced upon!!) see pic 2 for a better idea on this wire!
Any help you can offer will be gratefully received as so far out of the 3 weeks I've owned the car its been with the specialist nearly all of it!
Mickeyv18

 

[millo777]

I guess if the motor still works, and you've checked the teeth on the gearing of the mechanism, that only leaves the mechanisam that holds the drive shaft in place?

If you're convinced thats the problem, why not remove the plastic clip and try and fix it with epoxy resin or similar?

The online EPC (link below), does only list the seat base as complete unit with no reference to the individual parts, so I guess that is why your indy came up with the solution he did.

If you check on ebay there are plenty of the motors listed.

Report back if you sort it out as I'm sure the solutions would be useful for other members in future.

 

[SilverSaloon]

agree with milo

 

[WDB124066]

Coming out of the floor I've got two wires, brown and brown/green. They terminate in a red two pole connector.
The brown/green goes to green on the seat side of the connector.
The brown goes to yellow on the seat side of the connector.

There is a black connector in the same area of the SRS system, can you let us know if the corresponding connector on your seat is red or black. If it is black, I can let you know more colours.

If that plastic collar on the driveshaft is broken then that can cause the opposite side to loose traction and "rack" the seat base - which would tend to stop it moving. You may need to buy a second hand seat base to replace that part, making sure you get memory if you have a memory car of course, makes swapping over the controller and the associated wire running unnecessary.

 

[Mickeyv18]

Hi guys thanks for the responses, they're really appreciated!
As soon as I get the car back I will let you know how things pan out and provide you all with an update, trust me whatever happens the seat will get fixed and I greatly hope to meet some of you at future MB events!
The car is a replacement of a sadly deceased C180 (W202) and I hope that I come to love the W124 as much as I loved that little car.