E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Partial DIY - no pictures, Dreaded SRS light due to Passenger Seat

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jun 6, 2012 | 01:08 PM
  #1  
aa240sx's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 84
Likes: 2
2004 Mercedes E320 Wagon
Partial DIY - no pictures, Dreaded SRS light due to Passenger Seat

Got the SRS light on in my 2004 E320 and accompanying message on center display. Did some researching and found out it's related to the passenger seat mat sensor. Dug in last night and went to work. Here's my procedures. Sorry no pictures, but it could help someone since the only references I had to work with were

this person's for the seat removal

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...-2006-e55.html

and this person's for the sensor replacement and it's for a W210 (which is different and I'll explain that now). BTW, my passenger seat has memory and power, but no heat or massage feature.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210...placement.html

Seat Removal

1. Move seat all the way back. Remove 2 E bolts with an E12 socket.
2. Move seat forward. Remove 2 E bolts in back
3. Move seat to middle and lift to highest point to give you the best access.
4. Disconnect aux battery located under cabin air filter passenger side engine bay. This is to avoid any other SRS fault lights that could go on.
5. Unplug the three connectors located under the seat. The yellow connector in particular contains the plug for the SRS seat mat sensor.
6. Remove cover for seat belt. Remove torx bolt holding seatbelt to seat.
7. tilt seat forward, open passenger door fully and slide seat out.

SRS Seat Mat sensor removal - I definitely recommend placing the seat on a workbench as the work can be grueling on the shop floor. This work can be done by one person.

1. Remove the plastic panel located to the right seat base which is held in place with a torx bolt and two 10mm bolts.
2. Remove the left side smaller plastic panel which is held in place by two 10mm bolts
3. Tricky part - The center front of the seat base has a convenience storage door (easily removed) held in place with a metal bracket. This metal bracket will make removing the front part of the seat cover impossible. In my case, I was able to bend the front of the bracket such that I had just enough room to remove the seating material. This metal bracket will get in the way and is held in place by pop rivets. The proper procedure is likely to snap the pop rivets and remove the bracket.
4. Once these ancillary steps are completed on to the actual seat base removal. Under the seat base on the left and right side are 4 metal upholstery clips that hold the seat leather down. Using your hand, pry the cloth/leather material away from the clips.
5. The front of the seat base is simply held to the metal base by a plastic border. Gently pry that up and you're done with this step.
6. Located under the seat leather/cover are metal bars that are held by fabric sewed to the leather. The bars are held against the seat foam with plastic hooks. You can use a screwdriver to remove the bars from the hooks, but use caution.
7. There will be 3 lateral metal bars held by 3 hooks each and 3 horizontal metal bars each held by 2 hooks. This is what I considered to be the toughest part of this job. There's no easy way to remove these and to avoid damage, you should simply use your bare hands, no tools if you can help it.
8. Once you've done this, you've accomplished the toughest part of this job. The seat cover will pull away from the foam, revealing the seat mat sensor. I ran continuity tests on my sensor and it was in fact bad.
9. Remove, replace faulty sensor with new one. Quoted $318 for the sensor (no discount) from my local stealership. This is definitely not something I could find at a retail auto parts store.
10. Reverse steps to install

Note - It is not necessary to remove the entire seat base assembly from the metal frame of the seat as described in the W210 procedure.

I did not have to get the SRS light reset by a tech or STAR diagnosis. Once I started car, airbag light went on, then off.

Good luck.

Last edited by aa240sx; Jun 6, 2012 at 02:21 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2012 | 04:02 PM
  #2  
Flash Gordon's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 723
Likes: 32
From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
Thanks for the writeup. You can get good discount and OEM parts from parts.com
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:16 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE