CL500 drivers seat rattling

[Craiglxviii]

Hi all,

Just bought my first MB and have some issues. I picked up a secondhand W reg CL500 on 120k miles for what I'm hoping is a bargain, however there are a couple of things that may prove an expensive fix. Nb the car has black leather interior in vvgc, no apparent corrosion, is dead straight everywhere.

Firstly the driver's seat backrest is throwing up a dash warning, "BACKREST LOCK" which will not disappear when I push the reset button. The thing is, the seat back rattles when it locks back. It doesn't seem secure.

I've read on these boards about pens etc getting jammed in the seat mechanism, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. Can anyone shed any light (other than, it's buggered!)?

 

[Craiglxviii]

No replies so far- I have just bought a replacement drivers seat from Prestige All Parts up near Manchester, waiting on delivery so will update you all on condition, but I have to say I cannot fault their service or prices.

 

[television]

If an over weight person has been driving the car, then possible damage to the frame, but you have bought another seat now and I believe I have told you how to fit it.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Hello Television,

not sure if you did, but I've read this elsewhere (seat fully forward, 2 bolts out at rr, seat fully back, 2 bolts at fr, unclip harness)- is that correct?

Actually a bit of a pig as Prestige All Parts just called to say, very sorry but the seat was not in stock! Should have one for next week though so as before I'll keep you all posted.

On another angle, I have a fr passenger seatbelt on the way (which was in stock)- is it possible to swap seatbelts DIY, as the passenger one is not latching properly? Or do I need to take it to a garage for this?

 

[television]

You must not turn the ignition on with any part of the seat unplugged, including belts as the SRS lamp will come on and need STAR to turn it off

Yes you can change the seat belt parts.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Thanks for that Television. I'll make sure to keep the keys OUT of the car

Is there a seat belt replacement procedure anywhere available- or could you please advise me of how I'd go about it?

 

[television]

I can find that info for you

 

[Craiglxviii]

Hello Television,

oops- just realised that I'd forgotten about this thread and so started a new one on the seatbelt...

Could you please find out the seatbelt replacement info for me?

 

[Craiglxviii]

Well, finally the correct replacement driver's seat has been drlivered. However it is missing the plastic trim which would usually house the roller switch- hard to tell from the images my Mrs has just sent me.

Can someone please tell me if this is easily removable/ refittable? If so I'll rob it from the broken seat I'll be removing.

 

[television]

I can give you info on what ever you like, but more details would be useful and a picture.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Malcolm, you're like a machine- completely reliable! OK, here we go.

I'm really concerned that this is the wrong seat as I don't recognise the funny looking module hanging out of where the trim should be. NB this is the bottom right corner of the seat, would be under your right knee when driving.

 

[television]

That is the vacuum connector for the seat lumbar, if you have comfort seats there should be an electrical connector as well.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Oh ****** hell, another massage seat. I don't have that option on the car... will this seat still work or is the harness connector different?

 

[television]

That is not a massage seat as no electrical connector so OK, but they all have the multi contour back rest. The seat main connections are further inboard and very large multi plugs. Even if it was a massage seat, you do not have to use that part.

I take it that you have the single roller wheel

 

[Craiglxviii]

Yes that's correct.

Thanks for setting my mind at rest. The last seat I bought was ventilated and massage, so I wouldn't have been surprised if this one was also wrong!

OK-so, the grey and blue plug on the end of the white hose or cable is the vacuum connector? I get that. What about the roller switch and the missing trim panel, can I rob these off the seat I'll be removing?

 

[television]

Yes that's correct.

Thanks for setting my mind at rest. The last seat I bought was ventilated and massage, so I wouldn't have been surprised if this one was also wrong!

OK-so, the grey and blue plug on the end of the white hose or cable is the vacuum connector? I get that. What about the roller switch and the missing trim panel, can I rob these off the seat I'll be removing?

Yes they unclip, re the side panel. remove the bung and inside there is a claw type round fastener thats pushed onto a pin, that can be a pig to remove as it is recessed. thin long nose piers or a hook to pull it off, failing that a very large flat screwdriver immediately behind the the recessed socket.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Ah yes the spire fastener, I was able to just bend one leg with a jeweller's screwdriver a fraction last time and it came off beautifully.

The trim panel I meant is the bit on the front of the seat (fr RH corner) around the roller switch, not at the side by the way.

 

[television]

It is part of the side

 

[Craiglxviii]

Part 60 by the looks of it. Thanks Malcolm as always, you're a mine of information and a gentleman.