Mercedes battery drain power seat module fix. W203
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- Опубликовано: 20 окт 2024
- Mercedes battery drain power seat module fix
W203 models and others from the late 1990s through the mid 2000s often have defective power seat modules that cause battery drain when the car is switched off.
Fix it for nearly no time or money. 
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Hello readers, this happens when the master power relay inside the seat computer fails, This fix does the job but is not recommended for long term use. Use a relay on the main power wire. You have a mains, switched and earth so all wires are already there to add the relay. Great video, very helpful.
Thanks for this information! Out of curiosity, why is adding this relay better for the long term as opposed to the method described in this video?
My son bought a used C 320 wagon.
he was told buy a very shady A hole
That the car was in excellent condition. so far 1000.00 trans services at a very good independent MB shop...So the passengers seat was dead and the plug to the module was unplugged and we found that it drained the battery if it was plugged in!@@@
I searched and found your video and
when to pick a part yesterday found a module and pulled out of a C 240.
last night seeped it out and like Magic in seat came back to life and works perfectly, it took us 20 min!!
I paid 20 for the part with 30 day warranty!!!!awesome !!@
Thank you so much for savings us
time and money $$$$$$
Is crazy that till this day 4 years there’s not another video on how to do this procedure besides this one and not all the Mercedes have the same layout I appreciate what this guy did but honestly I’m gonna start recording from now on whatever I learn to help the rest of the Benz community..
Do it.
Thank you very much, my friend. I was having the same issue with my 2010 Chevrolet Impala 9C1 (Police Package). It turned out it was the faulty module of the driver's seat that was silently draining my battery; I unplugged it, and it fixed the problem. Your video was very helpful. God bless you.
very good. enjoy that 9C1! love it
@@gregs_garage Thank you, my friend. You as well, enjoy your Mercedes. 🙂
Mercedes is sold. Driving a 1991 ZR-1 now
@@gregs_garage Well, my friend. Enjoy your ZR-1. 🙂
will do. will try to keep the wheel side down
Thanks friend you just saved me 500.00. You rock
Hi there! Did it work? Does the memory function still work after doing this?
Was it the passenger seat or the driver seat??
Thanks Greg, the solution video worked for me perfectly. It took me about 20 minutes to fix the issue on mine because I was about to get rid of my 2003 E320 Sport before I buy a new seat module. Thanks again
suliya Johnson great !!!!
Nice! Just wondering does the memory function still work? And have you had any battery drain problems since?
What color did u cut
I have the same problem but on the driver's side. If I cut the cable on the driver's side should it work?
Did u try it? Mine is draining battery too@@Yunus-du4io
Thank you very much for these easy instructions for this fix. I had a heck of a time finding this drain turned out to be pass seat module. Thanks to you, all fixed up. Great job sir!
very well Craig
Found a w211( e class) 2003 for 1200 run n drive . it would he a great purchase after watching this video ! Thanks
It worked praise the Lord, thank you sir for you knowledge
Did this on a 2003 E320. Worked like a charm! Thanks bro!
@CW same thing happened to me same exact car
would unplugging it work the same?
That’s what causing my battery to drain also same yr n model
What color wire did u cut
I have the same problem but on the driver's side. If I cut the cable on the driver's side should it work?
Yes sir" this is a good remedy, should have known this before buying two new battery's, and an alternator. Then payed a guy to install alternator and some lower ball joints. Total bout $650.00. But my brushes on the old alternator was very worn. Thanks
I did the exact same thing .. got a new alternator and 3 new batteries once I called Mercedes and mentioned what it could be I was like I’ll think about bringing my car in. I’m so happy I saw this video thanks dude!!👋😉
I bought the brushes only for my alternator. The little module unscrews from the back of the alternator. Only like 80 bucks I think.
Been looking for a solution or fix for the seat assembly module with battery drain.. I just finish and did mine.. will wait overnight see if it still drain my battery.. thank you for the good information.. and also I have 2003 W211 E500 just incase other model can try this
Thony Pineda nice what's your update ??
The fix works.. i have the car sitting for two days.. did not start or turn on anything.. did not get any malfunction notifications on the dash..
Thony Pineda hope you get it fixed !
So did the fix work? I’m confused you said it worked but the car didn’t start and nothing turned on.
@@MrSwurveG wondering the same
Easy to do. Should be noted that if you raise the seats up before removing the battery neg, you don't need to unbolt the seats.
I’m really hoping this is the issue with my 2003 w203. Will try and update, thanks a lot!
Good chance it's the issue. Play with it.
I bought an used module at eBay for about 70 bucks and it has been working fine for years.
Worked like a charm on my 2003 E320. Got a quote for $800 to replace the module!
Tony Louis is the module under the driver side or passenger?
I'm having the EXACT same problem. I was told $1020 to replace
Did you leave the defective module in the car or go ahead and trash it? Just wondering if the modules could be repaired?
Hey man I got the same car e320 2003 all of a sudden my car stopped turning on something is draining my battery so every night I unplug my positive plug off and in the morning plug it back in
Do you know if this will work if I do what’s in this video ?
Worked for my CLK500 W209 thanks a bunch mate!
I had a 2004 clk55 AMG.
A beast it was. I had this same issue , it's one of the reasons I sold the car. The car needed to be jump started every day. Pain in the ass.
I would have definitely tried this fix if I would have known about it then.
That car broke more times then I can even count, while I was maintaining it, and throwing serious money at it.
It was my worst purchase yet.
Greg, thank you very much for passing this tip
Very clear and informative - thank you .
anytime my main man Ray
RUclips is my bestfriend! Thank u
Are these instructions for just the passenger seat? Only see these wires on the passenger side. Driver side has the brown, black/yellow, and red yellow wire.
Working on an 03 C230 sedan
I have the same problem but on the driver's side. If I cut the cable on the driver's side should it work?
Greg does it work to mercedes benz C300 2009? Just got new battery 3 months ago. I notice park light comes on by itself.
Great video. This turned out being the case in my w463. Similar build in terms of systems. My only difference is that my seat harness only has two wires going into the module. A solid brown and a stripped. Any idea which is their designation? Thanks!!
thanks. no idea on a w463. you should create some jumper wires and experiment with different connections and see if you can figure it out before cutting wires.
Hi guys….. nice video and fix except my 2003 clk320 only has 2 wires hot and ground. Any suggestions on how to fix?
My accessory does not power when car is on, any idea?
Can you just unplug it if you don't want to move the seat... Just wondering
thanks !!!!! fixed my w211 e320.. better than just unplugging it which is what i 1st did to stop the drain
Lamont Lawes did this work for you ? Or something else fixed your problem?
it worked perfectly sometimes you have to turn the key on/off then on for seats to get power. but it works
Lamont Lawes Ok i have a 2003 clk 320 and I only have a Brown wire and white and black wire im missing the third wire .. should I have 3 or certain models have certain wires?
Lamont Lawes i believe have same issue with my w211 e500. can i jus unplug it
Jamarcus Wilson did it fix ur problem
I'm hoping this is the problem with my W209 battery draining... thanks for the video.
Ill Bill was it your problem????
Did it work?
@@maleekbarkley1022 I just sold it as is. Sorry!
So instead of hooking a ammeter up in series to the battery to chase down the draw can I assume the seat module is the culprit if the seat still moves with the switches after the car is turned off and door is shut?
Had the same issue w my C55 but just disconnected the plug, instead. Have to try this someday🤔
I unplugged the wire too. And didn't help. Any suggestions?
Even quicker and easier is to remove the relevant fuse. Doing so means you can't adjust the seat, but the heated seat still works.
I have a 2008 c300 battery draining, alternator, battery and starter is fine but glove compartment light is out and trunk light is staying on, I unplugged the light by the fuses in the trunk, got home and car still didn't crank but I can boost it off it'll run all day until it sits for a while. Do you have any idea what's going on?
I have a battery drain not sure where it is 2006 e350 .... I don't adjust my seats everyday ....could I just pull the plug to the module to see if that's the issue ?
ElmwoodParkHulk yes unplug it to see
You need to unplug both driver side and passenger side front power seat modules connection just to be sure just one or both are draining the battery.
when you unplugged it did any light come on?
Thanks easy to do and works great.
I’m having this problem with my 2018 CLA. Dealership quoted me 1600 to replace driver seat module. Would this trick work on my newer vehicle, or no?
Does this hack bypasses the seat module?
I have a Mercedes-Benz w209 that has a bad electric seat. The bottom part of the seat doesn't want to move forward and backward, but can hear the relays clicking. The backrest and the headrest are operating fine. I have replaced the door switches as someone told me that this is a typical problem but It did not resolved it, issue remains.
Hi there. Engine must be on? Or just 1st or 2nd contact? Thanks
Great video, thanks. Do you think a faulty Secondary intake air pump relay could also drain the battery?
Thank you very much. it's great knowledge. So I have check may car (W203 AMG, year 2004) I can see red-green (at positione 1), black-pink (at position 3 on connector), wire on passenger seat(my car right side drive) it should not a problem todo. But on drive side, there is different color of wires. Can I do the same even different wires color by making connected position 1 and 3 together?
Also how can you determine if it's this problem as it can be other parts causing this, is there a way tti test it with a volt meter? Thanks in Advance I'm just tryna do this myself and I don't have a clue what to do
So does the Christmas wire have to be splice into the switch on wire or do you just cut the Christmas wire alone ? Help?
Hi,
On my w211 it's the driver's seat and I have the (easy entry feature) option but I wonder if I do like you, after switching off the ignition will the option (easy entry feature) work or seat will not move after switching off the ignition?
try and experiment
Many thanks for sharing your info 🙏
Ok i have a 2003 clk 320 and I only have a Brown wire and white and black wire im missing the third wire .. should I have 3 or certain models have certain wires
Doin it to my e320 2003 sport tammaroe hopefully goes well thnx for vid
Having the same problem . just checked the voltage on it and it draws 12v on both driver and passenger . Disconnecting it should fix the problem ? Until I get a connector ?
yes, disconnect to see if it makes a difference.
How do you know which seat is problem
My cls550 battery keeps dying I replaced the alternator and battery and still dies after sitting for a day or two....any suggestions? And no mechanic i taken it to know what’s actually causing the power drain...
Nice video! Wondering why we are connecting switched with constant. Isn’t cutting the constant the actual fix? Just asking!
I think you need power to both wires to make the seat work. This fix wires both wires to the switched circuit so it only uses power when the key is on (not while sitting).
I have a C230 Compressor, it flattens my battery, but it does not have electric seats. Is there anything else I can check ?
Dil Lee is your battery shite?
do it work just disconnecting the whole thing? I dont care if the seats dont move.. or can we just pull the FUSE?
yes disconnecting the whole thing works fine. It cannot drain power when disconnected.
This video simply shows how you power the module BUT only when the ignition switch is on.
Hey I just unplugged both driver seat and passenger seat and I'm still having draining problem. Any suggestions?
I thought I would do this after I knew that was the problem. That should have fixed it shouldn't?
It's either something else draining the battery, or it's a bad battery. do a voltage drop test.
Hey i have a c300 with red in blue wires are they the same as the christmas color wires???
Not sure. You have to see which has constant power vs switched.
The blue clip you used to connect the two wires is called what? Thanks
Tap connector?
Hey afternoon Greg. Thanks for the video. Just wanted to know the amp of the tap connectors? I’ve seen them in a few amps so tryna make sure I get the correct type. I’m in the UK and use a C230k with the same issue.
LUX LIFE these connectors are rated by wire size, not amps. In North America The blue ones are for around 16 gauge wire I think. Yellow is for bigger wire like 12 ga. Red is for smaller wire like 18-20 gauge. Just get something that fits the wire. Amperage isn’t important there is not a lot of electrical current here.
Hey Greg. Thanks for the reply. I only seem to have 2 wires. A brown and Red and Yellow. I assume GROUND & CONSTANT. Is there any clue where the switchable might be? Perhaps in the large connector? My large connector has many wires in it.
Do you have electric seats, my 2003 C230k does not have electric seats, but something is draining my battery from new. It's driving me dilly.
I'm assuming that I have to do both driver and passenger sides to get the SRS light to turn off with this method?
ICEFOOL my SRS light is on, too. Did u get urs to turn off by doing this?
Damn no one ever responds
Did u ever fix the srs light? I saw your comment and was thinking you just had the harness unplugged while turning the key on so it threw an srs code that will probably have to be reset with a code reader. Unless the occupancy sensor on the seat needs constant power and runs through that seat module.
My seat don’t move does that can fix it?
I have the same problem but on the driver's side. If I cut the cable on the driver's side should it work?
Same idea. Not just cutting a wire though
@@gregs_garage I checked the cable on the driver's side, there are 3 cables like the passenger side but on the driver's side they are not the same color.
I already cut the passenger side because I had a short circuit like you. Now it's the driver's side. as I said there are 3 cables but not the same color. Do you think that if I find my way and cut the right cable it will be good?
Also my central locking module is drain the battery any pointers on that?
Does the switched wire have an appropriate fuse and wire gauge to power the seats? Has anyone had any long term issues with this?
I have a 2003 E320 can this be done to passenger and driver seat modules?
probably. why don't you try unplugging and see if it helps?
Do I need to disconnect the battery when doing this. Plus can I drive the car if I unplug them permanently and no fault codes will show?
how did it go any light show up
Which side of the seat should i unplug...
Hi i have c240 seems like i have this problem, is there modules under each seat or just one? Thanks
One under each seat
Do we have to expose the two wires by splicing their insulation and then crimp them?
No need.. the crimping gets done automatically when you crimp it
How an we're do I get the blue clip thing at
I have a c32 as well. You don't have to do anything to the other two plugs under the seat? Just the small plug with 3 wires? The seat heater and the other plug (not sure what the other plug does) don't drain the battery?
nope just the 3-wire plug. I think the other ones are switched thru the ignition.
Greg's Garage my wires are colored brown, red and yellow and black and yellow...cut the red and yellow?
You're going to have to figure out what is the constant power wire. Buy a $5 multimeter
@@doodamike do you remember if you cut the red and yellow wire for the constant power? All 3 of my wires are colored the same as yours.
ICEFOOL I don’t remember. It may have been brown. I’ve since sold it. Good luck
In uk this colours correspond to passenger seat, driver seat different colours. Do you have to do 2 of them?
yes there is a module under each seat. Thankfully my driver module is still ok so I only had to do the passenger side. I tested the modules by unplugging each one independently for a few days and the passenger side drained the battery while plugged in. When unplugged the battery was fine. The driver side didn't make a difference plugged in or not so it is fine.
@@gregs_garage
Okay thanks.done both of them just in case lol
interesting i thought you would snip it at seat connecter side,my c32's got this problem but i rarely drive it so leave it unplugged, but thinking of selling it so thought i better get it sorted
What size/gauge tap connector was used?
I think the Blue ones are 16 gauge.
I have a 2004 E500 and im getting a no start on and off pretty randomly. Sometimes itll drive for 7-8 days before I need to get a jump , and sometimes 1-2 days after ive charged the battery. I had the battery and alternator checked and theyre both good.
How do i know if this is even the culprit to begin with? and which seat if so? any help appreciated. thanks. btw i did do a parasitic drain test on the fuses and nothing conclusive came up.
unplug both seats and see if it fixes it. If so plug in 1 seat and see if anything changes. Then try just the other. This ain't rocket science Slayer.
@@gregs_garage One more question. So Im having a hard time getting to the plugs on my particular model short of taking out the seats completely. Cant I accomplish the same deductive test by just taking out the power seat fuses? Or can the modules still drain the battery even with the fuses pulled? thanks
@@tgbitw17 i would think the fuses would be a good place to try. They probably cut power to the modules. Or maybe just the motors? I'm not sure of how the circuits work. Give it a try.
Work fantastic except my srs light comes on permanently. How do I remove it?
Nice video, but they have different power supply , I mean fuse. 1 is 20amp another is 30. so you give on 1 wire 50 amp ? Can you imagine when seat heating is on and you want to change seat position, so all motors be working, I think to much power on 1 wire.
glad you made this video. excellent
Good fix just scotch locks are horrible. way better options out there for a better connection
right but what's better?
I love the door sills where u get them? They would good in my c32amg
I thought they were from the factory like that!? Anyway 3 of the 4 sills/LEDs are burned out and apparently they cannot be fixed, they must be replaced. They are expensive. I'm waiting for the 4th one to burn out so they are all the same.
U have to send me link to those door sills plz they look awesome
Steve Givelas I think they are factory?!
Hi, I have a 2004 s430 with this problem and under the driver seat are bunch of plug ins & none looks like the one you have, PLEASE tell me which one to unplug, thank you
Different body unit so do the wiring harness..... you need burn extra effort to search it.
I have problem with battery drain on a Mercedes clk. I have unpluged the modules under the seats but I still have problem with battery drain. What could be? Any advice is helpful. Thanks
tawy888 If you haven't fixed your car yet. Get an icarsoft diagnostic tool. Its good for most problems also. But it will quickly tell you exactly where the drain is coming from. Reads as an open circuit.
reading lights centre dome thing and alarm siren are typical places for a drain as well
Can I just pull the fuses or those harnesses until I can replace the module?
Sure
Oh, can I just cut the constant power? Does it have to be connected to switched wire?
@@aftershock2222 I think so, for it to work. But cut it and try. If not connect together like I did.
Are the seats supposed to move with door open?
I think so yes.
So I metered the #1 with key off and sure enough: it was drawing way too much power. I followed the instructions in your video and metered both 1 and 2 with favorable/anticipated results however once I plugged the harness back into the module the seats didn't move even with the key on. Any ideas?
nothing is changed in the video.. when the key is on all circuits get the same power. check your wiring and logic.
@@gregs_garage I discovered that when I went to turn the harness around to plug it in it caused the splice to lose contact with #2. I re-spliced with a new connector and it now works. Thank you for responding
very good troubleshooting
I don’t have this setup in my w201 2001 CLK 55 how do I find which one I need to disconnect count find anything online about the issue and do I need to do it on both side
see if one wire has power all the time. Cut this one and tie it into the wire that has 12V switched power (with ign switch). This kills the power drain while the car is sitting.
You need a multimeter and some time and a willingness to solve it.
@@gregs_garage which one lol it’s so many wires and I don’t even know which actually supply power to the seat I try looking on line bro and I swear I can’t find nothing on this like it’s crazy
Another thing is the batter drain is like instant now at first after a day of the car sitting battery will go dead than half a day than like 8hrs than 2 now as soon as I turn the car off I will need a jump 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
@@iman-mpc6246 maybe it's the battery.
Would just unplugging it completely solve the issue if indeed this is the issue? Thanks
yes unplugging it removes power from the unit. If the unit is drawing power all the time (defective), unplugging it removes the problem. This wire trick allows you to still control the seat. But only when the key is on so you avoid overnight battery drain.
@@gregs_garage Thanks. Looks like there are 2 fuses per seat controls. I'll pull those.Im having a hell of a time trying to figure out a parasitic drain Ive been having on my 2004 E500.
Whats weird is that it can drain overnight and sometimes it can go 2 weeks without problems. Sometimes 3 days ect. This is whats making the diagnosis so hard.
DO u think the power seat modules would vary so much as far as how long it takes to drain battery? Logic tells me it would be pretty consistent every time no? Any feedback appreciated. U seem very knowledgeable. Thanks
@@tgbitw17 better to keep solutions simple with german cars. unplug both seats for a month or two! If it fixes the problem then try one at a time. Give it a good chance to reveal the problem over some time. Maybe it's something else altogether!
@@tgbitw17 if a relay in the module sticks sometimes then opens up again this could make it vary like that.
Great video btw bro
would stop draining your battery if you just unplug it ?
yes it would. This mod allows you to use it with the key on.
Done loads of these - I use a 30A relay and simply use the switched wire to switch the main feed off
You install a 30 amp relay under the seat ? 🤔
@@xcen22cal3 yes - all wiring needed is in the loom already - simply wire the supply across the relay and use the ign feed & ground to switch the relay
@@novawashere818 That doesn't seem easier than doing what this video recommends. There's already an ignition power source wire at the connector - what benefit does using a relay provide?
Using a relay switches the correct 30a feed off thus stopping the drain rather than trying to pull 30a from the ign feed that isn’t rated high enough
@@novawashere818 I'm not an expert on this so excuse my ignorance. The plug to the seat module uses the same gauge for the constant on and the ignition on wires. This is confusing me because I would think since they're using the same gauge wire and are outputting the same voltage, they're rated for the same amp draw?
Do you need to disconnect battery first?
No should be ok
If i were to just unplug the cable would it stop the drain ?
yes, if the module is the problem. no power seat though.
I have a 2001 c320 but my wires are not tht color i have a white/red,brown/yellow and a yellow/red
Did you fix it? Is it working?
I have a battery drain on my o4 c240 I did battery drain test disconnected the wire to the sea module and my drain is still thier ,my codes are for oxygen sensor heater circuit .,
Try disconnecting the other seat?
2002 c320 wagon (w203)
Do I have to do both seats?
no there is a module under each seat that can go bad. test them by unplugging 1 at a time for a few days and see if your battery drain improves. My car only had 1 bad module.
@@gregs_garage Hi Greg's which side of your bad module?
driver side. left side bad.
@@gregs_garage Thank you very much. it's great knowledge. So I have check may car (W203 AMG, year 2004) I can see red-green (at positione 1), black-pink (at position 3 on connector), wire on passenger seat(my car right side drive) it should not a problem todo. But on drive side, there is different color of wires. Can I do the same even different wires
Don't worry so much about the colours. Find the wire that provides constant power to the seat even with the key OFF. You need to disconnect that one and provide power that is switched with the key, to that one. Your goal is to ensure the seat is only getting power when the key is on. Get a voltmeter and start trying to figure it out. Forget about wire colours.
Tks a lot dude!!
If you unplug the wires and the drains is still present, then it can not be the seat, correct? You did not mention that pretest.
Also there was no mention of fuses?
I would say yes if the plugs unplugged don't help, then it's something else.
@@gregs_garage Hopefully this obvious step will help others. If seat is unplugged (or anything else unnecessary is uplugged) I presume the CAN is not going to keep the vehicle "awake"?
Can I just cut off green and red and not connecting it to the switch power cable, wouldn't be the same. Completely without green and red.
I think you need power to both those wires. This method removes the constant power so they just get power when the key is on.
try it though...
@@gregs_garage thanks for your response, btw I've noticed yesterday that I've got only 2 wires in both seats clips.
Mine doesn’t have the Christmas wire (red and green). Just brown and black with blue stripe. Now what?
Go to harbor freight. Get a $10 multimeter and figure it out. You need to get rid of the wire that has constant power and is killing your battery.
I have no idea to get under the seat to disconnect the module. Wouldn't be easier just to pull the fuse? I've pulled F001 and F002 and the battery is still draining and the seats still work. Does anyone know which specific fuse to pull if I don't care about the seat working (which I don't)
the plugs are not hard to reach. easy as pulling a fuse
@@gregs_garage Yeah, finally figured that out..thanks . Neither of them stopped the draw though. This is frustrating. I have to disconnect the battery every night or the battery is dead overnight. Funny thing is, it starts but I'm still getting a battery consumers error until it charges on my way to work
why cant you just cut the christmas wire and just leave it at that? will it sense there is no electrical output there and throw a code? won't the electricity coming from the switch wire still just be going into the christmas wire output anyways? a little confusing for me :(
I think you need power to both wires to make it work. This method allows power to both wires but only when the key is on. It removes the constant power wire from the equation and allows the switched wire to power it all.
Otherwise them from what I gather from video and comments, just cutting it maybe would have exact same affect as simply unplugging and leaving at that?? I have a 2003 W211 E500. Ready to go under both and disconnect each at the same time and hope it's a solution to battery drainage issue... ☺️
@@gregs_garage Hi Greg...Having the Same issue with my W204 C300 after a lot of troubleshooting found the cause of battery drain is the seat modules and since i unplugged them there is no more drain.
Now i have a question, before i start your great solution i measured the voltage at the connector for the permanent supply when the car is off it's 12v but when i switched the key on this switching power cable got 2.7 volts.
so will this 2.7 volts enough to power the module or it has to be 12 ? Does it work over a range of voltage supply ?
Would appreciate if you clarify.
TIA
Thank you