W114 coupe - front seat tilt/latch

[paulcallender]

Hi

I've recently acquired a 1975 280CE and there is a problem with the mechanism that latches the front seats upright, and unlatches them to let the rear seat passengers in-out. I have found a bunch of levers and rods, connected to what looks like a vacuum solenoid. This has a pipe running to the engine bay, but from then on I don't know where it goes.

The problem is, I have no idea how it works! Does anyone know how this works? For instance, assuming it is vacuum operated, are there any controls, for example I assume if the engine is not running, they unlatch. So, if the engine is running, should they automatically latch? Does this mean I'd have to turn the engine off to tilt the seats?

Many thanks in advance for the help

 

[LNM]

No idea how it works; the seats are unlatched with the engine running on my W124 + you can hear things moving when the engine starts + they lock in place then; and can be released by the little button on the side.

 

[guydewdney]

door open, lock unlatched.

dorr closed - latched.

Unless.......

the diaphram is knackered.. or the button on the side of the rear 'door' panel is pressed, allowing the rear passennger to exit.

the reservoir should keep it locked without the engine running.

haynes do a manual for our cars - it has a pic of the SL on the front though (the 107 series)

grease the mechanisms!

incidently - the exact same mechanism is used on my 1996 coupe - they got it right the first time round... (ok - they moved the release button)

 

[paulcallender]

Great, thanks for the advice. Its nice to know there are others with this model of car! I bought the Haynes manual for the 123 series 250 and 280, which covers the engine.

I found http://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/...oreId=10001&productId=13001&langId=-1 this manual too - but I've not yet bought it. My car is a 1975 and has a 2746cc motor, so I guess the 123 manual should at least help me out a little. Does the other manual cover all the other items on the 114?

 

[nasher]

I bought the Haynes manual with the SL (113) on the cover, it doesn't cover the M110 engine.

 

[paulcallender]

The M110 engine is used also in the W123 280, that's why I went for that one. And, the general idea relating to bodywork, etc is there too. I received the manual today and there's a bunch of useful stuff on the engine, but there is little info relating to the Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection system. In fact, this system is a bit of a nightmare!

The main thing I am after is a decent underbonnet diagram, showing in detail what & where every item is. For example, there is a box on the left hand side (as the car faces forwards), only today I found out (95% sure) its an electronic ignition module! (It looks very similar to the item in the Haynes manual for the 123). Does this mean I don't have to change the points and condenser when I service it???

 

[guydewdney]

there is loads of info on the D-jetronic system on the web - it was used by saab, porche, volvo....

That module - if its the one i am thinking of - has two big round plugs on it? is the electronic ign booster - it still has points - but very low power - so they are quite reliable - BUT!!!!! take off that module and clean the contacts to it / ESPECIALLLY to the bodywok - they blow up with monotonous regularity when they have bad earths - and they are not cheap.

yes - its the 113 sl on the front... but the rest of the car is quite conventional.

 

[paulcallender]

That's the one! The funny thing is, its got 2 big round sockets on it, but only one plug! The other socket has nothing plugged into it. (The one that is plugged in is the one with 4 terminals). The car still runs, though....

I am wondering if someone has bypassed the thing and reverted it to conventional ignition. Probably now with the wrong coil?