Many thanks to MRBSMITH for the excellent guidance on how to replace the seat sensor. It kept me from going down a number of blind alleys. I would like to add some details and comments that I noted for the next time.
Step 1. I had the codes read by the local dealer (code B1315), and of course, received a quote of $220 for the sensor and $348 to install it.
Step 2. Great idea to gather everything first. From MB of Cincinnati I ordered a sensor (210-821-21-51 for a MY2000) for $144 plus shipping. I would add an E12 external Torx ® socket and a few tie wraps, black if you’re fussy.
Step 4. My yield was only a quarter ($0.25) and my wife’s favorite crochet hook (priceless).
Step 5. Defer this until after steps 6 and 7, at least for the power seat connections. You may need to move the seat in order to access the bolts and the seat belt attachment.
Step 10. Place protection on the carpet in front of the seat.
Step 11. Remove the connector laterally as shown in the picture, not axially.
Step 12. Unsnap and remove the fabric covered spacer piece. The outside cover is fastened with a screw at the back and is hooked at the front. The inside one is hooked at both ends. Bend it to release the back one first and then slide it forward to free the front one.
Step 13. Add “On both sides” at the beginning. Also loosen the rear bolts considerably in order to allow the seat frame to pivot upward.
Step14. If you have no assistant, lean on the seat with your chest, leaving your hands free to pull out the bar. Pivot the seat frame upward and clip tie wraps as needed. The top of the cushion frame fits in a groove in the rubberized fiber cushion. The cushion needs to be separated from the frame in order to gain access to all of the butterfly clips, and to ease the unwrapping of the leather cover over the cushion. Note that part of the cover assembly is a white fabric that is sewn to the leather and lies between it and the rubberized fiber.
Step 17. Well, there is a tricky part here, and that is attaching the wires in the fabric sleeves on the underside of the cover to the butterfly clips. I first rotated the clips back to their original orientation, then folded the cover back on itself from one side. Rather than use a long screwdriver I used a shorter one, and ground a notch in the blade tip. I was able to grab the wire in the sleeve with the notch in the screwdriver and push it into the groove in the cushion just adjacent to the clip. A satisfying “snap” can be heard, letting you know that you’re hooked up. It helps to hold the back of the clip with one hand and to work from the rear clips to the front ones. Pull the white fabric taut over the cushion and then the leather. Insert the frame top back into the groove in the cushion, etc. Before assembly of the fabric covered spacer to the seat, clean it with a lint roller and then upholstery cleaner. Also, clean at least the sides of the leather cover before reinstalling the seat. The SRS light is now out!
Step 1. I had the codes read by the local dealer (code B1315), and of course, received a quote of $220 for the sensor and $348 to install it.
Step 2. Great idea to gather everything first. From MB of Cincinnati I ordered a sensor (210-821-21-51 for a MY2000) for $144 plus shipping. I would add an E12 external Torx ® socket and a few tie wraps, black if you’re fussy.
Step 4. My yield was only a quarter ($0.25) and my wife’s favorite crochet hook (priceless).
Step 5. Defer this until after steps 6 and 7, at least for the power seat connections. You may need to move the seat in order to access the bolts and the seat belt attachment.
Step 10. Place protection on the carpet in front of the seat.
Step 11. Remove the connector laterally as shown in the picture, not axially.
Step 12. Unsnap and remove the fabric covered spacer piece. The outside cover is fastened with a screw at the back and is hooked at the front. The inside one is hooked at both ends. Bend it to release the back one first and then slide it forward to free the front one.
Step 13. Add “On both sides” at the beginning. Also loosen the rear bolts considerably in order to allow the seat frame to pivot upward.
Step14. If you have no assistant, lean on the seat with your chest, leaving your hands free to pull out the bar. Pivot the seat frame upward and clip tie wraps as needed. The top of the cushion frame fits in a groove in the rubberized fiber cushion. The cushion needs to be separated from the frame in order to gain access to all of the butterfly clips, and to ease the unwrapping of the leather cover over the cushion. Note that part of the cover assembly is a white fabric that is sewn to the leather and lies between it and the rubberized fiber.
Step 17. Well, there is a tricky part here, and that is attaching the wires in the fabric sleeves on the underside of the cover to the butterfly clips. I first rotated the clips back to their original orientation, then folded the cover back on itself from one side. Rather than use a long screwdriver I used a shorter one, and ground a notch in the blade tip. I was able to grab the wire in the sleeve with the notch in the screwdriver and push it into the groove in the cushion just adjacent to the clip. A satisfying “snap” can be heard, letting you know that you’re hooked up. It helps to hold the back of the clip with one hand and to work from the rear clips to the front ones. Pull the white fabric taut over the cushion and then the leather. Insert the frame top back into the groove in the cushion, etc. Before assembly of the fabric covered spacer to the seat, clean it with a lint roller and then upholstery cleaner. Also, clean at least the sides of the leather cover before reinstalling the seat. The SRS light is now out!
