Thread: Electric Seats - have I done something dumb?

Originally Posted by gavinwibrow

Cheers mate for the offer - will cogitate and discuss with mechanic in Myaree.

For general info and for you and Classic88, superquag has mentioned several times that there are Mercedes switches for the seats that work very well, and available at reasonable prices. I'm not sure if that was new or used pricing, but will ask him when he returns from overseas in about 3 weeks.

I "think" all my electrics including memory hardware was operational if anyone wants any bits that I don't need for manual switchgear without memory electrical operation.

I agree the RRC electric seat switch positioning was madness, and even though I've hear rumours that putting the switchgear between/under your feet is a no no, that's the way I intend to be going, unless (albeit I doubt it) they can be located on the lower section parallel to the doors. Ain't rangies fun. cheers

PS - to comment on your heading, if it is a simple exercise to retain electrically operated seats, albeit by suitably located manual switchgear, I'd be inclined to try and keep it.

Hi Gavin, my research indicated that electric seat switches from the W124 Mercedes is an almost direct replacement but I can't seem to find any with the wiring harness attached. Shame you're on the other side of the country or you could have my manual seats in exchange for your wiring bits!

Originally Posted by Classic88

Hi Gavin, my research indicated that electric seat switches from the W124 Mercedes is an almost direct replacement but I can't seem to find any with the wiring harness attached. Shame you're on the other side of the country or you could have my manual seats in exchange for your wiring bits!

The wiring harness is never 'attached' to the door controller in a Mercedes. they are plugged in with special plugs, designed to prevent incorrect assembly / connection..
The harness will run from the doors, under the seat carpet to the seat and also to the separate independent door switches in a mercedes (you will see two door switches on these optioned vehicles) . The seat power feed is independent of the ignition, and is relay activated, when the door is open (with ign off) or when the doors are closed and ign switch is in 'run' (position 2, with running engine) The Mercedes relays are extremely heavy duty. They are not like the plastic case bosch / hella crap. they are 30 & 40A rated metal housed, with special pin connectors (silver plated).
The actual seat memory module is under the drivers seat for single-memory seats, and if the passenger seat has memory, it will also be an identical one there under the passenger seat. Regular seats without memory (memory version is green button + 1-2 switch in controller) will just have a set of seat relays for each motor and a smaller controller. Each seat is fused with a 40A fuse. The controller is common from all MB's of the era - w126, w124, w201. R129, W140 some early models and after that the switch changed. Later vehicles are slightly different and not as robust.
damage 027.jpg

Be aware that the connectors on the back are rudimentary to the controller, so you need to take the whole harness... otherwise it's a complete waste of time.
Might as well take the seats while you're at it - because they are Recaro Orthoped, built like tanks, have sprung seat bases with rubberised coconut fibre pads, and last a long time. Especially if they are MB-Tex and not leather, in which case they will outlive the vehicle.


There are different sizes - w201 (smaller) w124 (mid-size, probably closest to RRC) and w126 (MASSIVE and super comfy.)

They do not have individual armrests - this is one key difference to the RRC seats. Instead Mercedes put a built-in armrest into the passenger seat, and it may interfere with the RRC's cubby.

Screen Shot 2017-06-15 at 14.17.51.jpg

If you want to see how the door switch is removed there is a writeup on pelican parts.
Mercedes-Benz W124 Power Seat Control Switch Replacement | 1986-1995 E-Class | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

If you want to get hold of a pair of seats plus relays and door controls, then I suggest you contact MB Spares in Canberra (Fyshwick) 1300 787 300 who may also be able to provide later w210 / w202/ w203 etc. They will not be cheap to ship - because of the bulkiness and weight.

The seats are heavy - Especially if from a w124 coupe, which has the vacuum locking backrest switch.

I would suggest you actually go to a wrecker or a car yard and have a look first. Because you might not even like the style.... Your best alternative is a set of Recaro Expert L - which are a fully adjustable chair - about $2K worth from ideal seat company in Mordialloc - the bonus with those is single power connection, seat rail fitment kits are available, and you can take them out of the car and put them in the next car - which is absolutely worthwhile.

For what it's worth, I think the manual adjustment recaro seats (like the set I just sold to another 16v owner in the Gold coast) are a far more sensible and robust option - because there are no electrical things to fail. Hypocritical as it may sound, since my 124 and 201 have electric seats with memory, and I bought electrics for my 107.

Just FYI - the seat pads are available as spare parts, as are the backrest pads, and even though they last 30+ years, at least you can get replacements still. and the MB-Tex never wears, the funniest thing about it is that most people think it's leather.... There are some subtle differences, but 90% of people cannot tell the difference, until the seats completely stuffed. Then the leather seats will be cracked and abused, while the mB-Tex will still look like it has another 20+ years left in it. There are loads of cars from the late 1960's and early 1970's still going around with the original MB-Tex seats, and looking like they are almost new.

Actually Gavin, I have a mate down in Australind who may have some Leccy Merc seats - I'll give him a buzz.

Originally Posted by Mercguy

The wiring harness is never 'attached' to the door controller in a Mercedes. they are plugged in with special plugs, designed to prevent incorrect assembly / connection..
The harness will run from the doors, under the seat carpet to the seat and also to the separate independent door switches in a mercedes (you will see two door switches on these optioned vehicles) . The seat power feed is independent of the ignition, and is relay activated, when the door is open (with ign off) or when the doors are closed and ign switch is in 'run' (position 2, with running engine) The Mercedes relays are extremely heavy duty. They are not like the plastic case bosch / hella crap. they are 30 & 40A rated metal housed, with special pin connectors (silver plated).
The actual seat memory module is under the drivers seat for single-memory seats, and if the passenger seat has memory, it will also be an identical one there under the passenger seat. Regular seats without memory (memory version is green button + 1-2 switch in controller) will just have a set of seat relays for each motor and a smaller controller. Each seat is fused with a 40A fuse. The controller is common from all MB's of the era - w126, w124, w201. R129, W140 some early models and after that the switch changed. Later vehicles are slightly different and not as robust.
damage 027.jpg

Be aware that the connectors on the back are rudimentary to the controller, so you need to take the whole harness... otherwise it's a complete waste of time.
Might as well take the seats while you're at it - because they are Recaro Orthoped, built like tanks, have sprung seat bases with rubberised coconut fibre pads, and last a long time. Especially if they are MB-Tex and not leather, in which case they will outlive the vehicle.


There are different sizes - w201 (smaller) w124 (mid-size, probably closest to RRC) and w126 (MASSIVE and super comfy.)

They do not have individual armrests - this is one key difference to the RRC seats. Instead Mercedes put a built-in armrest into the passenger seat, and it may interfere with the RRC's cubby.

Screen Shot 2017-06-15 at 14.17.51.jpg

If you want to see how the door switch is removed there is a writeup on pelican parts.
Mercedes-Benz W124 Power Seat Control Switch Replacement | 1986-1995 E-Class | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

If you want to get hold of a pair of seats plus relays and door controls, then I suggest you contact MB Spares in Canberra (Fyshwick) 1300 787 300 who may also be able to provide later w210 / w202/ w203 etc. They will not be cheap to ship - because of the bulkiness and weight.

The seats are heavy - Especially if from a w124 coupe, which has the vacuum locking backrest switch.

I would suggest you actually go to a wrecker or a car yard and have a look first. Because you might not even like the style.... Your best alternative is a set of Recaro Expert L - which are a fully adjustable chair - about $2K worth from ideal seat company in Mordialloc - the bonus with those is single power connection, seat rail fitment kits are available, and you can take them out of the car and put them in the next car - which is absolutely worthwhile.

For what it's worth, I think the manual adjustment recaro seats (like the set I just sold to another 16v owner in the Gold coast) are a far more sensible and robust option - because there are no electrical things to fail. Hypocritical as it may sound, since my 124 and 201 have electric seats with memory, and I bought electrics for my 107.

Just FYI - the seat pads are available as spare parts, as are the backrest pads, and even though they last 30+ years, at least you can get replacements still. and the MB-Tex never wears, the funniest thing about it is that most people think it's leather.... There are some subtle differences, but 90% of people cannot tell the difference, until the seats completely stuffed. Then the leather seats will be cracked and abused, while the mB-Tex will still look like it has another 20+ years left in it. There are loads of cars from the late 1960's and early 1970's still going around with the original MB-Tex seats, and looking like they are almost new.

Thank you for the comprehensive reply Mercguy!

The difficulty I am facing is the actual driver's seat switch - because it includes memory functions, it has to be wired in via the seat memory ECU - which I don't have. I was hoping that the Mercedes non-memory switch was similar enough to allow it to be wired directly to the seat motors as is the case with the passenger side seat switch in my car.

Originally Posted by Mercguy

Actually Gavin, I have a mate down in Australind who may have some Leccy Merc seats - I'll give him a buzz.

Excellent - will wait to hear. I'm passing that way coming back to Perth next Thursday if anything arises!

Although, I have to admit I do like the armrests in my RRC seats, and the ideal would be a simple connection of MB switches connected to the electric motors of the RRC.
Cheers

Sorry for the delayed response Gavin,

I rang my mate and he has sold the pair of electric recaros (was a w124 coupe) already - including the harness and controls.

May I suggest you look to a wrecker for an old w124 or w126 (the 300/420/560SEL's usually have them as standard)

Or, you may even find someone parting one out - I'll keep an eye out for you.

Originally Posted by Mercguy

Sorry for the delayed response Gavin,

I rang my mate and he has sold the pair of electric recaros (was a w124 coupe) already - including the harness and controls.

May I suggest you look to a wrecker for an old w124 or w126 (the 300/420/560SEL's usually have them as standard)

Or, you may even find someone parting one out - I'll keep an eye out for you.

Cheers for the thought.

I was originally thinking/hoping that the switches alone could be used as replacements for the "orrible RRC ones, as I actually like the RRC seat/seating.

Also have to admit the ones in my long gone 300 SEL 6.3 were the bees knees for their day, although Falcons have had good seating for many years before Commodores caught on.

Decisions, decisions. I will cogitate more on whether there are any simpler switch only options (given that I only want the electrics to work via my manual switching without any seat memory hassles).
I'll leave all the other bits there for the next purchaser, unless I decide to be buried in the old girl. After all, I do hit 3 score and ten this year and have stopped reading the paper, just in case.

Should have kept that 6.3 - worth a mint now. and cost a mint to keep on the road

For years I've looked for a good one, nearly all the M100 cars are totally hidden or completely buggered now. Pity.

a good w109 is about as rare as rocking horse poo these days.