The rear-seat head rest release button on the upper dashboard does NOT release my headrests, and the trunk release button on the console, as well as the button on the remote (or even by unlocking the vehicle and manually pressing in the trunk release cylinder on the trunk lid itself) will NOT unlock my trunk. The only way to access the trunk is to insert the key in the trunk lock, turn to the left and press the trunk lock cylinder with the key still in there. There does not appear to be a manual way of releasing the rear headrests. Everything else in the car works perfectly. This problem has got me a little baffled, because I can hear the vacumn motor sounding (very) briefly when the trunk release button - or the headrest release switch - is activated. Mercedes Benz Technical Assistance tells me that these two systems operate not only from the same source, but also, from the same vacumn line. This seems very strange to me, since I would think that when I unlocked my car (and the trunk would unlock as well), my headrests would flop down to the folded position. Anyway, do any of you have a take on this, or am I the only one this happened to? Other than that, I love the car. I do have a couple minor gripes...my crappy old Chrysler had two features that I cannot believe this car does not have...a built-in compass and automatic headlights. I gather from the rearview mirror design that I cannot even replace the mirror with an aftermarket automatic rearview mirror with a built-in compass. But if I did that, I would also lose my "HomeLink" garage door opener, which I use. I have added some chrome trim to the inside and outside of the car, and I think it looks fine (again...just an opinion). I also upgraded to the projector beam headlamps (yes, with the chrome trim rings), and a complete set of the E55 taillamps. I never cared for the 'egg-shaped' reverse light/fog light insert anyway. I saw some pictures of people who painted the light housing body color, and only left the 'egg-shaped' part original, and it looks fine (actually, it looks like a Lexus GS). I thought about doing the same to my lights, but my car is white, and I think that particular painting 'trick' looked better on dark colored cars.
Vehicle: E320, SLK320, MKV Jetta TDI, Mini Cooper S
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,678
RE: Vacumn Problems on my '99 E320
Welcome to the forum. Have you followed the vacuum lines back to the pump to see that there are no kinks, cuts, or disconnections to the headrest actuators and the trunk lock? If your door locks all work then those lines are fine and the pumps is working but the lines from the rear seat back in to the trunk may have a problem.
As far as the compass goes, I think Mercedes wants you to get the COMAND Navigation package. [:(]
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Okay, all four door locks work properly. I went behind the upper rear seat (on the passenger side), and found the vacumn line and splitter that goes to the trunk lid lock/headrest release. I followed it into the trunk, and when vacumn is applied to the line going to the headrests, the headrests dropped. But no difference in the trunk lid lock assembly. I know that the vacumn pump on my '91 560SEL would operate until all the door locks, trunk lid lock, and fuel door were either locked or unlocked. The vacumn motor would operate until EVERYTHING was either locked or unlocked. The pump in my E320 is only operating for a few seconds. Do you think it's the pump? Should I just leave this problem for the dealer? Also, I noticed on a website somwhere a photo of a W210 with a wood-grained panel in place of the interior-color panel on the back of the console, directly below the rear-sear A/C vents. Have you ever seen this in a production car? Was this a custom thing? I saw a wood kit that added even MORE trim to the interior, but it looked like crap. It was only for the dashboard (it even covered up the glove box door) and four small, triangluar shaped pieces for each interior door. YIKES!
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