1999 - C230 Kompressor Sedan, POWER SEAT FAILURE
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 16
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From: Toronto, ON
C230 Kompressor
1999 - C230 Kompressor Sedan, POWER SEAT FAILURE
Hello,
I have a 1999, C230 Kompressor with 185,000 KM's on it, everything is pretty smooth in the car and working as intended but two things.
The first, is the power seats work maybe 3 out of 8 times that I start the car - when they are not working it is not permanent ! After about 5-10 minutes of driving they will function as normal until I turn the car off for a few hours (usually 6+)
I have been searching trying to figure out what it is and the closest I got was having to replay a 'relay' in the back seat.
http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...ber=0015420219
Apparently that's the part I need, can somebody confirm this for me - please ! :]
The second issue which I assuming relates to this one is the power REAR headrest button does not work at all, ever.
Thanks in advance and I hope someone can help me sort this out!
-CrazyK
I have a 1999, C230 Kompressor with 185,000 KM's on it, everything is pretty smooth in the car and working as intended but two things.
The first, is the power seats work maybe 3 out of 8 times that I start the car - when they are not working it is not permanent ! After about 5-10 minutes of driving they will function as normal until I turn the car off for a few hours (usually 6+)
I have been searching trying to figure out what it is and the closest I got was having to replay a 'relay' in the back seat.
http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...ber=0015420219
Apparently that's the part I need, can somebody confirm this for me - please ! :]
The second issue which I assuming relates to this one is the power REAR headrest button does not work at all, ever.
Thanks in advance and I hope someone can help me sort this out!
-CrazyK
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 133
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From: Dallas, TX
1999 Mercedes C230, 1997 Lexus SC300 Twin Turbo
I have these exact same problems... usually my front power seats work, but sometimes they just don't. It's so strange, after a few minutes they start working again. Also, if I disconnect the batter the automatic-down stops working for my windows, then will randomly start working again. Same year/model as you.
Also, the power headrests in my car NEVER work. Sorry I can't offer you advice, but I'm interested to hear what people say.
Also, the power headrests in my car NEVER work. Sorry I can't offer you advice, but I'm interested to hear what people say.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 16
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From: Toronto, ON
C230 Kompressor
Yeah, well atleast I'm not alone! I guess we can both hope for an answer soon 
I did a lot of reading and that 'Relay' i posted above is the closest thing I could find to the solution - Someone said on another random forum that he bought that and replaced it, now his power seats work 100% of the time - he did not mention anything about the rear headrests.
Lets hope something comes up soon! I'll keep searching and if I get it working I'll make sure to reply or PM you
-CrazyK
I did a lot of reading and that 'Relay' i posted above is the closest thing I could find to the solution - Someone said on another random forum that he bought that and replaced it, now his power seats work 100% of the time - he did not mention anything about the rear headrests.
Lets hope something comes up soon! I'll keep searching and if I get it working I'll make sure to reply or PM you
-CrazyK
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,761
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From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
I had a similar problem 2 weeks ago in my 00' C230K.It wasn't the relay, it was the plug in connector.I disconnected it (it may have become unplugged) sprayed some CRC electrical contact cleaner and now she's good to go. 
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 16
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From: Toronto, ON
C230 Kompressor
[UPDATE]
I think I might have narrowed down our issue, apparently the culprit is the K24 relay module in the trunk. I was starting to suspect fuses but that would only make sense if the seats got zero power 100% of the time, anyways here is a picture of the relays in the trunk.
Swap the K24 relay with it's neighbor on the left side and see if the power seats kick in, if so.. just need to purchase a new K24 relay and replace it Hope this helps! I will try it tonight after work and post my results.
PICTURE OF TRUNK RELAY
I believe you can pick up the relay here, it's not very expensive
http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/?...3892&Ntt=relay
-CrazyK
I think I might have narrowed down our issue, apparently the culprit is the K24 relay module in the trunk. I was starting to suspect fuses but that would only make sense if the seats got zero power 100% of the time, anyways here is a picture of the relays in the trunk.
Swap the K24 relay with it's neighbor on the left side and see if the power seats kick in, if so.. just need to purchase a new K24 relay and replace it
Hope this helps! I will try it tonight after work and post my results.PICTURE OF TRUNK RELAY
I believe you can pick up the relay here, it's not very expensive
http://www.thepartsbin.com/catalog/?...3892&Ntt=relay
-CrazyK
Last edited by CrazyK; Jun 30, 2009 at 11:21 AM. Reason: image url.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 16
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From: Toronto, ON
C230 Kompressor
[UPDATE #2]
The relay part # 002-542-22-19
MB dealerships sell them for $34-$44 bucks which is ridiculous, they go for about $10-$15 from online retailers. :]
Also, you can unplug the relay and try to clean it up, sometimes this fixes the issue buts its not 100%, MB says they sell a lot of these relays, apparently Siemens made a boo boo and a factory defect on them.
The relay part # 002-542-22-19
MB dealerships sell them for $34-$44 bucks which is ridiculous, they go for about $10-$15 from online retailers. :]
Also, you can unplug the relay and try to clean it up, sometimes this fixes the issue buts its not 100%, MB says they sell a lot of these relays, apparently Siemens made a boo boo and a factory defect on them.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 16
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From: Toronto, ON
C230 Kompressor
It turns out it was the relay for me :] I'm definitely glad that was the trick, I wish it was the connector haha, it wouldn't have cost me anything - but the relay was $16.50 in total.
Anyways hope this solves tractorcrusher problem as well!
-CrazyK
Anyways hope this solves tractorcrusher problem as well!
-CrazyK
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
2000 C230 Kompressor
2000 C230 Kompressor = Power Seat Failure
Guys,
I just purchased my beautiful C230 a month ago for $6,500 with 85k miles (1 owner, leased) and its my first Benz. As a kid, I used to dream of owning a Benz as my uncle played pro-football and had several. I now have one in MY garage!
To get to the point, my power seat quit working a couple days ago and I started stressing a bit. Thinking here comes the "feared MB repairs". I searched google and came across this thread and I took your advice about disconnecting the relay switch and cleaning terminals. IT WORKED PERFECTLY! So this is a huge THANK YOU to everyone who contributes to this Forum. You may not always get a "thank you" reply, but know that there are untold numbers of people who read your advice and solve their dilemmas without acknowledging it.
THANKS and lets keep it going.................
I just purchased my beautiful C230 a month ago for $6,500 with 85k miles (1 owner, leased) and its my first Benz. As a kid, I used to dream of owning a Benz as my uncle played pro-football and had several. I now have one in MY garage!
To get to the point, my power seat quit working a couple days ago and I started stressing a bit. Thinking here comes the "feared MB repairs". I searched google and came across this thread and I took your advice about disconnecting the relay switch and cleaning terminals. IT WORKED PERFECTLY! So this is a huge THANK YOU to everyone who contributes to this Forum. You may not always get a "thank you" reply, but know that there are untold numbers of people who read your advice and solve their dilemmas without acknowledging it.
THANKS and lets keep it going.................
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 49
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C230 coupe
I have a 2000, but when I open the trunk liner, I don't have either of those relays. Mine looks a little bit different. There is one relay next to the fuse box like you have.
Then, I have one relay closer to the forward part of the trunk. It does not say "K24" on it. Do you know if the other relay was for different accessories my car may not have?
Also, does the car use that relay for anything else so I could try swapping it to see if it works before I pick one up?
Thanks
Then, I have one relay closer to the forward part of the trunk. It does not say "K24" on it. Do you know if the other relay was for different accessories my car may not have?
Also, does the car use that relay for anything else so I could try swapping it to see if it works before I pick one up?
Thanks
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
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1999 C230 K
where did you buy the relay?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 16
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From: Toronto, ON
C230 Kompressor
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Just an FYI on relays. I have also traced down erratic relays in cars and trucks. They contacts may check of but in use fail. The mode of failure is the plastic heats and melts a small amount over time. This causes the break / points to not make contact sometimes. The fact that sometimes it does makes it difficult to diagnose. So when you find one of these relays acting up, replace it and dispose of the old one, don't save it as backup for emergency use.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
