SL/R230: lumbar control
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 71
Likes: 3
From: Faqirhope, Alabama
r230
lumbar control
My '05 R230 the lumbar control on both seats does not work.
If I or passenger accidently rub against the control, the pump in the trunk starts but no action on the seat.
worse, the pump keeps ticking after I shut off the car until I set the offending control to "zero."
Does anyone know where the fuse is for this ?
I'm thinking I don't really need it and I'll just pull the fuse (assuming the fuse controls only that)
Thanx for any
If I or passenger accidently rub against the control, the pump in the trunk starts but no action on the seat.
worse, the pump keeps ticking after I shut off the car until I set the offending control to "zero."
Does anyone know where the fuse is for this ?
I'm thinking I don't really need it and I'll just pull the fuse (assuming the fuse controls only that)
Thanx for any
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
The only fuse to pull would be the one for the pneumatic (PSE) pump, but since the pump is vital to the operation of the Vario roof you surely don't wish to do that. So the only way I know of is to use Star Diagnosis to disable the air supply to the seats by way of coding the PSE pump.
Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 198
Likes: 44
From: Pacific Northwest
2011 SL550
There are quite a few nice write ups in this forum on how to repair the seats, one with pics. You pull the seat and fix the issue, usually one of the tubings under the seat wind up punctured from movement of the seat. Not really tough to do.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 71
Likes: 3
From: Faqirhope, Alabama
r230
Thanx
I guess I'll have to give it a shot.........
seemed like a big job but......??
since neither seat lumbar works, I'm guessing the fault is before the air pipes fork to each seat.
I did see a writeup for repair of the fork in a different model.
Does anyone know if the point of routing to each seat is in fact in the back of the drivers seat in the R230 ?
I guess I'll have to give it a shot.........
seemed like a big job but......??
since neither seat lumbar works, I'm guessing the fault is before the air pipes fork to each seat.
I did see a writeup for repair of the fork in a different model.
Does anyone know if the point of routing to each seat is in fact in the back of the drivers seat in the R230 ?
Last edited by starfighter; Jun 24, 2019 at 06:43 AM.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
You could discern which case it is by disconnecting the air supply to both seats below the leading edge of the cushion and connect an air pressure gauge to the supply of one seat while plugging the supply to the other. When the ignition key is switched on you would see pressure build as you hear the pump run, and once the pump quits, the pressure should hold.
Alternatively, without a gauge you could listen for the pump to start/stop endlessly as it restores pressure lost to one or more leaks. If the pump doesn't cycle and the pump runs when you remove the plug from a pressurized line, then the air leak is in the bladder within the seat back.
Last edited by bobterry99; Jun 24, 2019 at 03:39 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 64
Likes: 9
From: Moscow
SL600 2004
The hoses under seats are made in a way that they will inevitably fail after some time because of seat movement. This is the most common and easy fix to do. If you have both your seats notworking and your trunk lid works fine (i mean trunk lock), then its most likely hoses.
The pipe goes from under the seat to each of them. After coming out from somewhere underneath it makes two U-turns. And these U-turns are usually the faulty place.
Does anyone know if the point of routing to each seat is in fact in the back of the drivers seat in the R230 ?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 271
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From: Kirkland, WA
2003 SL500
I just recently ran PSE test using DAS and none of the lines tested developed correct pressure. But pump is not starting/stopping. It turns on upon switching on ignition and then stays silent.
Last edited by alk247; Jun 24, 2019 at 02:31 PM.
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Banned
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 271
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From: Kirkland, WA
2003 SL500
I woke up the beast (may be). Used SDS to check pressure in all seat lines (pressure was very low), and now pump works continuously, and trunk does not open. It could be a coincidence, of cause. Is there a way to disable air lines to the seats, or should I wait until PSE determines that there is a problem and disables them? Door locks work, so it is possible that I am all wrong and my trunk lock just went south.
