SL/R231: Massage sometimes doesn't work - buzz sound
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 693
Likes: 152
From: USA
m157 SL63
Massage sometimes doesn't work - buzz sound
My driver's side massage has often not been working lately. When I try to turn it on (selecting options 1-4), if it makes a buzz sound (it seems like it is coming from behind the right side of the driver's seat) then it won't work. It usually does this sound twice. Sometimes it will work for a little while, then make the 2-buzz sound and stop working. I'm wondering if anyone knows what this sound means. It only does the buzz sequence once per driving session. After that, it will still not work if I try it again but will not make any additional sounds.
The dynamic seat bolsters work fine.
I watched the video here:
and the leak didn't have this buzz sound. I have an iCarSoft but it doesn't have anything to read the massage seat functions, as far as I can tell. There is a driver's seat option, but it just shows things like seat positioning and easy exit.
The dynamic seat bolsters work fine.
I watched the video here:
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 293
Likes: 153
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2019 SL450; 2023 M850i coupe
It sounds like you may have an leak.
Does everything (side bolsters and passenger seat functions) stop working once the massage stops working? If so, it's possible the pump is shutting down to protect it from over heating. This would also explain why it is working intermittently, i.e. the pump resets after a period of time.
The two buzzing noise may be the pump's initial activation, and the subsequent activation to compensate for the leak.
Mine did something very similar... I heard the pump's first activation, then, after a short period, a second activation before the pump went into protection mode and shut down at which point everything (massage and active side bolsters) on both seats stopped working. After a period of time (a few minutes) the pump reset and everything started working again.
Here's a link where you may find some useful info.
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...lfunction.html
Good luck.
Does everything (side bolsters and passenger seat functions) stop working once the massage stops working? If so, it's possible the pump is shutting down to protect it from over heating. This would also explain why it is working intermittently, i.e. the pump resets after a period of time.
The two buzzing noise may be the pump's initial activation, and the subsequent activation to compensate for the leak.
Mine did something very similar... I heard the pump's first activation, then, after a short period, a second activation before the pump went into protection mode and shut down at which point everything (massage and active side bolsters) on both seats stopped working. After a period of time (a few minutes) the pump reset and everything started working again.
Here's a link where you may find some useful info.
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...lfunction.html
Good luck.
Last edited by hornethandler; Jun 18, 2024 at 12:24 PM. Reason: additional pump info
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 693
Likes: 152
From: USA
m157 SL63
It sounds like you may have an leak.
Does everything (side bolsters and passenger seat functions) stop working once the massage stops working? If so, it's possible the pump is shutting down to protect it from over heating. This would also explain why it is working intermittently, i.e. the pump resets after a period of time.
The two buzzing noise may be the pump's initial activation, and the subsequent activation to compensate for the leak.
Mine did something very similar... I heard the pump's first activation, then, after a short period, a second activation before the pump went into protection mode and shut down at which point everything (massage and active side bolsters) on both seats stopped working. After a period of time (a few minutes) the pump reset and everything started working again.
Here's a link where you may find some useful info.
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...lfunction.html
Good luck.
Does everything (side bolsters and passenger seat functions) stop working once the massage stops working? If so, it's possible the pump is shutting down to protect it from over heating. This would also explain why it is working intermittently, i.e. the pump resets after a period of time.
The two buzzing noise may be the pump's initial activation, and the subsequent activation to compensate for the leak.
Mine did something very similar... I heard the pump's first activation, then, after a short period, a second activation before the pump went into protection mode and shut down at which point everything (massage and active side bolsters) on both seats stopped working. After a period of time (a few minutes) the pump reset and everything started working again.
Here's a link where you may find some useful info.
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...lfunction.html
Good luck.
There are no issues with the passenger side. Everything works, and no buzz sounds.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
Likes: 41
From: ST. Louis, MO
'16 SL550, '18 Porsche Macan GTS
My massage feature doesn’t work and I don’t get any buzzing sounds. Leak? Fuse? ?????? It did work for a while right after purchasing, but quit shortly thereafter.
Last edited by SteveL1; Jun 19, 2024 at 01:25 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 2,518
Likes: 901
From: DFW
SL63
I haven’t used massage feature yet. None of my passengers have either.
Among the reasons I don’t use it, is because I don’t want to have the same problem as the OP.
But I am also worried that they could decay from disuse.
Among the reasons I don’t use it, is because I don’t want to have the same problem as the OP.
But I am also worried that they could decay from disuse.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 293
Likes: 153
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2019 SL450; 2023 M850i coupe
Attached are some shop docs—originally provided by crconsulting—that will help you find the seat components.
Since the passenger side is working, it may be possible to swap/slave in a passenger side part to confirm the bad driver’s side part.
Last edited by hornethandler; Jun 19, 2024 at 07:25 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Sl r231
The same case
My driver's side massage has often not been working lately. When I try to turn it on (selecting options 1-4), if it makes a buzz sound (it seems like it is coming from behind the right side of the driver's seat) then it won't work. It usually does this sound twice. Sometimes it will work for a little while, then make the 2-buzz sound and stop working. I'm wondering if anyone knows what this sound means. It only does the buzz sequence once per driving session. After that, it will still not work if I try it again but will not make any additional sounds.
The dynamic seat bolsters work fine.
I watched the video here: Troubleshooting Mercedes-Benz Seat Massage Dynamic Support (youtube.com) and the leak didn't have this buzz sound. I have an iCarSoft but it doesn't have anything to read the massage seat functions, as far as I can tell. There is a driver's seat option, but it just shows things like seat positioning and easy exit.
The dynamic seat bolsters work fine.
I watched the video here: Troubleshooting Mercedes-Benz Seat Massage Dynamic Support (youtube.com) and the leak didn't have this buzz sound. I have an iCarSoft but it doesn't have anything to read the massage seat functions, as far as I can tell. There is a driver's seat option, but it just shows things like seat positioning and easy exit.
Hi!
Did you resolve the issue with massage ?
I have exaclty the same case with buzzing,
sometimes work 1 minute sometimes longer… I would be very thankful for help.
