C36 AMG, C43 AMG (W202) 1995 - 2000

Seat switch problems issues on c43

Old May 14, 2012 | 02:45 PM
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1999 C43 AMG
Seat switch problems issues on c43

hey guys..i did a search but could not find much. the driver side seat switch seems to work intermittently and the headrest adjustment button doest work at all. what is it that i have to replace and is this easy? just change the switch in the door or the whole unit underneath? the other adjustments work fine however just the headrest does not.

thanks
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Old May 14, 2012 | 06:13 PM
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1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
Originally Posted by illmaticnyc
hey guys..i did a search but could not find much. the driver side seat switch seems to work intermittently and the headrest adjustment button doest work at all. what is it that i have to replace and is this easy? just change the switch in the door or the whole unit underneath? the other adjustments work fine however just the headrest does not.

thanks
Have you tried operating the head rest while you are out of the car? I have a similar issue with mine, I have to lean forward to get the head rest to go up or down. I have yet to determine why it is like that but my head rest works so I am not to concerned at this point. I have heard of other members complaining of the same issues and leaning forward worked for them.

Give it a try and see if it works with you out of the car or leaning forward.
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Old May 14, 2012 | 06:39 PM
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1999 C43 AMG
Originally Posted by 503C43 ////AMG
Have you tried operating the head rest while you are out of the car? I have a similar issue with mine, I have to lean forward to get the head rest to go up or down. I have yet to determine why it is like that but my head rest works so I am not to concerned at this point. I have heard of other members complaining of the same issues and leaning forward worked for them.

Give it a try and see if it works with you out of the car or leaning forward.
yes sir. did it while out of the vehicle and nothing working. what do you suggest? thanks again for your help as always.
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Old May 14, 2012 | 08:44 PM
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My C36 had been intermittent on the drivers side back for some time. New switch was about $450 from memory so its still intermittent! Please post details if you work out how to fix it.
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Old May 15, 2012 | 12:39 AM
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Originally Posted by illmaticnyc
yes sir. did it while out of the vehicle and nothing working. what do you suggest? thanks again for your help as always.
If it was me I would start with a digital multi meter to determine if I was getting power to the switch and go from there.
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Old May 15, 2012 | 02:48 AM
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The problem could be the 'convenience' relay in the trunk. You have to remove the carpet floor, then remove the plastic liner beneath that to get at this relay. I had an intermittent functioning power driver's seat too, replacing the relay solved that issue.
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Old May 15, 2012 | 06:53 AM
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Good idea and sound recommendat
ion
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Old May 15, 2012 | 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Saaboteur
The problem could be the 'convenience' relay in the trunk. You have to remove the carpet floor, then remove the plastic liner beneath that to get at this relay. I had an intermittent functioning power driver's seat too, replacing the relay solved that issue.
beauty. was this difficult and how did you even figure this out? amazing.

is this relay pricey? i will try this over the weekend.

also...are the switches expensive? im missing a button cap for the headrest.
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Old May 16, 2012 | 01:45 AM
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It was posted a long time ago. I had the same issues, replaced the relay and done. I think I paid about C$40 for my relay, but if memory serves, it's just a typical relay that you should be able to pick up from any parts store.

Getting at it is not difficult, takes 10 minutes. I'd suggest you have a look and see if the relay is the typical sort, then grab one and fit it.
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Old May 16, 2012 | 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Saaboteur
It was posted a long time ago. I had the same issues, replaced the relay and done. I think I paid about C$40 for my relay, but if memory serves, it's just a typical relay that you should be able to pick up from any parts store.

Getting at it is not difficult, takes 10 minutes. I'd suggest you have a look and see if the relay is the typical sort, then grab one and fit it.
btw if the relay was out wouldnt it affect both seats? sometimes one works. sometimes both dont work. but the headrest portion NEVER works.
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Old May 16, 2012 | 05:56 PM
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If I remember right (it's been a while since I buggered around with my C43), the part number for the relay is 002 542 22 19.

I had similar symptoms on my car before I replaced the relay - intermittent operation on the driver's seat, headrest never worked - but passenger side typically always worked. Replaced the relay and good to go.
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Old May 17, 2012 | 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Saaboteur
If I remember right (it's been a while since I buggered around with my C43), the part number for the relay is 002 542 22 19.

I had similar symptoms on my car before I replaced the relay - intermittent operation on the driver's seat, headrest never worked - but passenger side typically always worked. Replaced the relay and good to go.
aewsome! i will give this a go! btw do they sell the seat adjustment buttons separately?

pelican parts btw!

Last edited by illmaticnyc; May 17, 2012 at 02:11 PM.
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Old May 17, 2012 | 02:00 PM
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I doubt you can get the buttons separately, the switch is one unit. But I'd try the relay first before buying a new switch. Also, you can try cleaning the switch contacts. I think there's a thread talking about disassembling and cleaning the switches.
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Old May 17, 2012 | 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Saaboteur
I doubt you can get the buttons separately, the switch is one unit. But I'd try the relay first before buying a new switch. Also, you can try cleaning the switch contacts. I think there's a thread talking about disassembling and cleaning the switches.
thanks! im actually missing the headrest plastic cap unfort. i just bought the switch off pelican parts...33 bux!
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Old Jun 6, 2012 | 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by illmaticnyc
thanks! im actually missing the headrest plastic cap unfort. i just bought the switch off pelican parts...33 bux!
part no is 002-542-22-19-M22
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Old Jul 3, 2012 | 07:09 PM
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I replaced Relay and my seats now work again no problems

thanks forum
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Old Aug 6, 2012 | 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by illmaticnyc
part no is 002-542-22-19-M22
so did you replace the switch and solve your problem?

i just got my c43 and the pass seat will recline but then wont come back up. I had the shop of the previous owner take a look and he did some trouble shooting to see what was causing it, said the relay was ok. i trust the guy but just wondering if your switch fixed the problem and if it was an easy install, did you just pop the switch section out of the door and swap it?

thanks for any feedback.
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Old Aug 7, 2012 | 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Dziner82
so did you replace the switch and solve your problem?

i just got my c43 and the pass seat will recline but then wont come back up. I had the shop of the previous owner take a look and he did some trouble shooting to see what was causing it, said the relay was ok. i trust the guy but just wondering if your switch fixed the problem and if it was an easy install, did you just pop the switch section out of the door and swap it?

thanks for any feedback.
relay is intermittent so he may have found it to be ok. I would replace the relay for $35 before you do anything else
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Old Aug 7, 2012 | 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by ChampagneC
relay is intermittent so he may have found it to be ok. I would replace the relay for $35 before you do anything else
i had already ordered the part a few days ago
but from what they were telling me i think it actually is the switch. we will see, if i replace it and it starts working it wont matter.
We did subtract the estimate for replacing the switch into the final purchase, so 'technically' im not losing out, but it could be in my pocket if it was only the relay.

from the how to videos the seat adjust panel just pops out so i should be able to pocket the labor cost on replacing the switch. when the guy looked at the switch he made it sound like he had to take the whole door panel off to get to it but the video just shows the adjustment section popping out. the tolerances are really tight on those door pieces, i would not have thought that the adjustment area was a separate piece at first glance.
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Old Aug 7, 2012 | 02:38 PM
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Should be an easy DIY for sure


Originally Posted by Dziner82
i had already ordered the part a few days ago
but from what they were telling me i think it actually is the switch. we will see, if i replace it and it starts working it wont matter.
We did subtract the estimate for replacing the switch into the final purchase, so 'technically' im not losing out, but it could be in my pocket if it was only the relay.

from the how to videos the seat adjust panel just pops out so i should be able to pocket the labor cost on replacing the switch. when the guy looked at the switch he made it sound like he had to take the whole door panel off to get to it but the video just shows the adjustment section popping out. the tolerances are really tight on those door pieces, i would not have thought that the adjustment area was a separate piece at first glance.
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Old Aug 12, 2012 | 02:08 PM
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so i got some of the door panel tools and im pretty sure this seat switch piece does not pop out of the door as an assembly.
I pryed and tried to pop it out from all sides and it was not moving at all, i definitely didnt want to pull on it any harder than i was. pretty sure the whole door panel needs to be taken off.
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Old Aug 12, 2012 | 02:38 PM
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there is tutorials online on how to take a w202 door panel off. it is a relatively simple job
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