front seat backrests not locking into position

[MG1]

Hello.

My 1991 230CE Mercedes Coupe has just failed its MOT because the front seat backrests arent locking into position. Can anybody help as to how I might check the operations of the locks, test them, correct them or adjust them please? It appears to be affecting both front seats.

Many thanks.

 

[derekmwood2]

Both front seats!

I do hope the doors were shut and engine running when tested... if not then it wasn't tested properly.

If so then as they're vacuum activated I'd check that the vacuum system as a whole is working.. do your headlights dip extra or not with the engine running?

purely inexpert suggestion!

 

[Spike]

Yep, could be that the tester didn't know what he was doing.

They are designed to move forward when the doors are open or if the engine is not running.

If you look under your seat, you will see two things.

1) A electrical connector which is a seatbelt sensor

2) A small rubber hose which comes out the floor and connects to a connector under the seat. Make sure this is connected properly if the seat operation is *really* causing problems.