w219: CLS 350 Grand edition 2010

[jacko1971]

A tale of woe.............
Dropped the car off for a mini valet whilst doing a bit of shopping the other day. (yes it was lazy, but I've been ill )
Got back and drivers side seat wouldnt move back into position after they had moved it as far back as possible so they could get in easily to clean the car. It moved on the right hand side and not the left and so was effectively pivoting on the left hand side.
Got it to a local garage and they informed me that the cable from the motor that moves the seat on the left hand side has been ripped out and couldnt be joined due to where it had been ripped and the type of cable it was.
Possible cause: During investigations into the fault, one of those vent type air fresheners was found wedged hard under the seat.
When the valeters have moved the seat as far back as possible to get under the seats to clean them I think the seat base has caught on the air freshener and done the damage.
A call to Mercedes by the guy from the garage tells me you cant buy a single motor for this as it comes as a complete part. Seat runner its called apparently. Price to replace? £900 plus Vat plus the fitting costs.
After recovering from the shock I managed to locate a salvaged seat online for a cost of £105 delivered. Its been delivered today so the car will be going in tomorrow to HOPEFULLY have the donor seat runner installed. I'll keep you informed as to whether the bit the breakers have sent me does the trick.
Tip of the day? Dont let stray bits get under your seats as it can be a touch expensive!!!!
If the part fits then I may have some spare parts for a drivers seat.........

 

[developer]

I had a coin land in the seat track stopping the seat moving forward. Took me ages to get it out, but fortunately zero cost.

 

[jacko1971]

After a quick inspection it looks like the runners off the replacement seat will transplant into my car. Fingers crossed.

 

[oldguy57]

Glad you are getting the problem resolved at a reasonable cost. Its not always best to take what an MB dealer says at face value - that motor will be available from someone somewhere without a doubt. I have found the most obscure components on tinternet after a bit of searching. All you would have needed would have been the info printed on the motor if that is what required replacing. Something to bear in mind .

 

[jacko1971]

Had another look last night and it looks like what is broken is a cable that is incorporated into some kind of spring arrangement as it comes OUT of the motor and that is somehow connected to the worm gear. Personally I cant see how it could be changed out individually. BUT I'm not an electrician so dont know whether it was possible. It DOES look like it will be easier to change the entire seat runner/base than it will be to be messing around removing individual motors if thats even possible.
The cars in now so I'll let you know the outcome.

 

[jacko1971]

Seat fixed. Excellent service from Dronsfield Autos who supplied the part and Cleator Moor Autobodies who did the repair. An hours labour to swap the required bits around and seat now works like it did before. Good outcome thats saved me over a grand just on the quoted new part alone. I now have a spare seat if anyone needs it. Would be an ideal replacement if anyone has a rip or tear in a drivers side front seat.