Seat Control Module - battery drain and loss of control
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 257
Likes: 31
W209 CLK55 - 2003
Seat Control Module - battery drain and loss of control
Car is a 2003 CLK55. Seat controls stopped working recently and the battery started discharging quickly at around the same time.
I’m familiar with the issue with seat control modules failing and discharging the battery... my question was, does a seat control module going through the discharge failure mode also stop the controls working? Or is controls not working generally something different?
Aware that the module takes CAN bus commands and converts them for the motors in the seat. Just trying to make sure my diagnosis fits the symptoms.
EDIT: For the benefit of others, yes, the seat module failing and discharging the battery can also stop the seat controls working. Or at least it did in my case. I bought a replacement module from FEBI - 37720, fitted and all worked perfectly.
I’m familiar with the issue with seat control modules failing and discharging the battery... my question was, does a seat control module going through the discharge failure mode also stop the controls working? Or is controls not working generally something different?
Aware that the module takes CAN bus commands and converts them for the motors in the seat. Just trying to make sure my diagnosis fits the symptoms.
EDIT: For the benefit of others, yes, the seat module failing and discharging the battery can also stop the seat controls working. Or at least it did in my case. I bought a replacement module from FEBI - 37720, fitted and all worked perfectly.
Last edited by breeze247; Mar 12, 2021 at 12:00 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Winter Park
W124 E 320 & GLA
Hi Guys, to continue on with this thread I am just starting a refresh on a 1995 E320 with 73k miles (not even broken in yet!).
Question: Does anyone have experience deleting the constant power and splicing to adjacent power that is only hot when ignition is on?
I experienced parasitic drain, as soon as I disconnected the front seats everything was good and the car stayed charged.
It is my understanding I can disconnect the always hot wire and splice to a nearby power wire that works only when the ignition is on.
(I saw some youtube videos for newer models but the wires were different)
Before busting out the meter, I thought I would call on the collective wisdom of the group.
Your replies and insights are greatly appreciated.
Question: Does anyone have experience deleting the constant power and splicing to adjacent power that is only hot when ignition is on?
I experienced parasitic drain, as soon as I disconnected the front seats everything was good and the car stayed charged.
It is my understanding I can disconnect the always hot wire and splice to a nearby power wire that works only when the ignition is on.
(I saw some youtube videos for newer models but the wires were different)
Before busting out the meter, I thought I would call on the collective wisdom of the group.
Your replies and insights are greatly appreciated.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 257
Likes: 31
W209 CLK55 - 2003
My understanding of that mod is you are not fixing the drain issue, just having the drain issue only occur whilst the engine is running.
Given the Seat modules can be had so cheaply brand new, does it still make sense to do the splice mod?
Feels like putting load on your charging system for no reason.
I may have misunderstood, so please forgive me if so.
Given the Seat modules can be had so cheaply brand new, does it still make sense to do the splice mod?
Feels like putting load on your charging system for no reason.
I may have misunderstood, so please forgive me if so.
