MonteCristo85

I just purchased a 1998 E320, and I'm having difficulties with the driver side power seat controls. The controls are not working at all for the seat, however the preset buttons are somehow controlling the passenger side mirror. The passenger side power seat controls are working fine, and the mirror also adjusts normally from the mirror adjust buttons.

This doesn't seem like it could be fuse related, but I went ahead and checked those, and they are all fine. Before I discovered the mirror connection, I thought it was the door control module, but with the mirror it seems there must be somewhere in the middle where they all connect. Has anyone had this problem before?

raymond g-

Note that the driver settings will return the exterior mirror preset . This should be clear
in your owner's booklet. if you dont have one, you can try downloading here:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210...rs-manual.html

kajtek1

The door switch is weak point, so good chance you need one.
I just sold one for $15 on ebay.
If you need one as well, let me know as I plan a trip to junk yard later this week.
They also have 1 of W210 with front seats in pristine condition. I am thinking about pulling them out as well and put on ebay.

raymond g-

yup, i was going to follow up with highlighting the weakness of the seat switch
as well. occasionally you will find that a cold solder type situation exists. see
if the info from this thread applies to your situation

MonteCristo85

Thanks, I didn't realize that both mirrors were controlled by the presets, although that makes perfect sense now that I think about it. The car didn't have the owners manual with it, so thanks for the link to a downloadable copy. I will definitely take a look at it.

I'll give cleaning the switch a try, but I probably do need a new switch.

MonteCristo85

I'm going to give cleaning the switch a try this evening, but chances are I will end up needing a new one. If you do come across another at the junk yard I would definitely be interested. Thanks!

Plutoe

Regrettably you have been misinformed---the seat switch is not a weak point and do not be foolish enough to try and open and spray you will be damaging the switch that you have not tested and I doubt is faulty.

Additionally "the boys" forgot to tell you that the seat switch activation is read in the respective door control module and that module sends a voltage message to the respective seat motor to move backwards or forwards, ie seat position.


Very rarely does a complete switch go bad and as long as you have confirmed all the respective fuses are good and proper voltage then I would look to the door control module-----by look to I mean test and once again do not try to open any switches or control modules you will ruin them.

Be watchful!!

MonteCristo85

Thanks, I'll test the door control module first.

raymond g-

Plutoe: you remind me of Trump. Your responses leave me with the
perception that you always have to be the one with the only accurate diagnosis.
Those who post otherwise are laughably wrong and should be ignored.

In this case, the seat switches have been documented by MB Club of America
members as being frequent enough in occurrence to warrant inspection for
cold solders. They have documented this in their tome "Mercedes Benz
Technical Companion" embedded within the thread I linked to above.

Helping forum members troubleshoot online is not a science but a focused
mix of guess, probability and luck. It isn't Hollywood Squares where members
hit a buzzer hoping to be the first one to make the correct call. Problem
solving online almost always requires multiple attempts and working through
a process of elimination. This usual flow for troubleshooting includes the
verification and/or elimination of possible causes starting with the easiest...
or the lowest cost item.

Your proposal directs the OP to jump to a costlier guess without having verified
that a cheaper and easier cause should be eliminated.

If you are a dealer and have access to a parts inventory, your approach may
be cost effective when the service technicians are being paid $100+ @ hr.

Owners rarely have free access to a parts inventory which allow them to
"swap and try." Because of that, I feel you're doing a disservice by suggesting
that the OP jump immediately to the door module. In the end, your suggestion
is just a guess....and with no higher probability than any of the other suggestions
already posted. So if your guess is wrong, who do you think is left holding
the bill in time/expense? You? ....no. So sometimes you just need to chill
and think of what the car owner has to go through to problem solve their
situation.

There has also been no verification that the seat track has been examined and
deemed clear of foreign particulates and obstructions...and easy thing to check
off the list.

Plutoe

Thank you for including me and or associating me with Donald Trump


However when it comes to "fact checking" you are somewhat light---I know you can have ten of the high poster at Ben's Wurld confirm that the sky was falling and therefore proclaim with all sorts of assurance\credibility that **** Robin was dead and no doubt all the followers would believe and further proclaim his death----the problem is the facts are not support the truth and or credible.


When you can post a TSB and or a Service letter from MB USA stating that their seat adjustment switch is a weak unit within the seat adjustment system and they authorize dismantling the switch and spray with what ever on the W210's I will retract my comments-----however until then---do some fact checking with the manufacturer not a band of mega posters!!

raymond g-

okay then, there will be no more public sword fighting on the forum because
we both know where we stand. i'll just see you at the Trump rally. i'll be the
one with the rainbow wig on holding "John 3:16"

p.s. MB has never posted a TSB on their horribly designed rear window regular
yet it's common knowledge that it fails, over and over.... then there is the
rusty perch supports which they casually acknowledge but will not back up.
I could go on.

kajtek1

You guys have fun at the rally, although I have to notice that Trump - regardless controversial speeches proved himself to be real businessman.
Plutoe on other hand keeps proving to be keyboard mechanic with no practical knowledge.
I was at junk yard yesterday and the 3 W210 there had all the switches already removed, when I pulled perfect set of seat covers in tan.
That should tell you something about demand.