Help - Driver seat stuck in folded up-pivoted position!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 2
From: Redondo Beach, CA
2006 SLK 55 amg, 2002 CLK 430 Cab (hers), 1989 944 Turbo (sold), CLK 500 (sold), 125cc shifter kart
Help - Driver seat stuck in folded up-pivoted position!
This moring I tilted the driver seat back forward to put my brief case in the back seat. Typically the seat does not pivot up and out of the way because the head rest will hit the roof. Well, today not only did it pivot up but the head rest extended out to the farthest length. Now I cannot push the seat back down to the normal position because the headrest is hitting the roof. 1 hour fiddling with it for an hour and no results. None of the controls work while the seat is in that position.
Is there a way to trick the computer that the seat is down so that I can lower the head rest? Very frustrating! Thanks all.
Is there a way to trick the computer that the seat is down so that I can lower the head rest? Very frustrating! Thanks all.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 2
From: Redondo Beach, CA
2006 SLK 55 amg, 2002 CLK 430 Cab (hers), 1989 944 Turbo (sold), CLK 500 (sold), 125cc shifter kart
Unfortunately the head rest is hitting a spot just past the visor, so moving the visor will not help. Thanks for the response though. Any other ideas?
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 74
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From: Berkeley Heights, NJ
2012 E350 4Matic Wagon
I had that happen to me when I first got the car two years ago... I guess I lucked out by starting and turning off the car and removing the key - and the headrest came down on it's own... I was on the job at the time videotaping a wedding when it happened so I was freaking out. It hasn't happened since.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 2
From: Redondo Beach, CA
2006 SLK 55 amg, 2002 CLK 430 Cab (hers), 1989 944 Turbo (sold), CLK 500 (sold), 125cc shifter kart
I tried that too, but it didn't work. However, I have not tried locking then unlocking the car so perhaps things would reset. I called the Merc dealership and they said to call road side assistance - then they would send a tech out.
I wonder if there is a way to disable the electric motor that moves moves the headrest? I suspect that the motor is in the shoulder area of the seat. Does the seat back come off so that I can access it?
What a design flaw - the car is completely immobilized. Luckily it happened in my garage. I guess it would be a good prank to pull on someone....
I wonder if there is a way to disable the electric motor that moves moves the headrest? I suspect that the motor is in the shoulder area of the seat. Does the seat back come off so that I can access it?
What a design flaw - the car is completely immobilized. Luckily it happened in my garage. I guess it would be a good prank to pull on someone....
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 2
From: Redondo Beach, CA
2006 SLK 55 amg, 2002 CLK 430 Cab (hers), 1989 944 Turbo (sold), CLK 500 (sold), 125cc shifter kart
OK. Figured it out. Sort of. I tried locking/unlocking car - no effect. I then took a torx bit and removed the seat back (two screws towards the bottom of the seat back). I noticed that the mechanism holding the headrest is made of plastic. I popped the metal headrest shafts out of the plastic hip sockets, forcefull pushed the plastic bracket out of the way of the metal shafts then lowered the headrest. Once the headrest was low enough to clear the roof and pivot back to the normal position the headrest motor was operational - it moved itself automatically to the lowest position. I then popped the metal shafts back into the plastic hip sockets.
What a design flaw. I mean, why do we need the extra weight and expense of an automatic headrest adjuster? How often does someone adjust their headrest? Whats wrong with the old fashion kind with the button release?
Of course now I am totally afraid of tilting my driver seat...
What a design flaw. I mean, why do we need the extra weight and expense of an automatic headrest adjuster? How often does someone adjust their headrest? Whats wrong with the old fashion kind with the button release?
Of course now I am totally afraid of tilting my driver seat...
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Berkeley Heights, NJ
2012 E350 4Matic Wagon
I've seen other CLK drivers with the headrest VERY high... I think some people don't know how to adjust it down!
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 2
From: Redondo Beach, CA
2006 SLK 55 amg, 2002 CLK 430 Cab (hers), 1989 944 Turbo (sold), CLK 500 (sold), 125cc shifter kart
No problem. One of those goofy events that can ruin your day. Imagine if you saw a tornado coming, lifted the seat to throw your kids in the back seat then it got stuck! Oh no!! Ha...
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: NJ,USA
'10 c63,'03expedition,ducati999,22'Donzi
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2014
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500clk
Excellent Fix
Followed the directions posted here. Great job. Thanks for the research time you saved me. Once the seat was down and locked I was able to retract the headrest. I just disconnected the headrest motor electrical quick connect just below the headrest motor. This has been a nuisance from the beginning. A real Catch22.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: NYC
S550
Great instructions indeed.
Both of my headrests are in the "up" position and both will not move electronically. I will see if I can manually lower them with these instructions and just keep them down for good.
Both of my headrests are in the "up" position and both will not move electronically. I will see if I can manually lower them with these instructions and just keep them down for good.
