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What is this unplugged cable under the driver’s seat?

Rain

1994 040
Member
Getting ready for some major work in the interior, and I spotted this cable under the driver’s seat disconnected. Any idea what it is?

9F17745A-8366-437E-8815-22122A5537BE.jpeg
 
Snipped factory cell phone cable?
Oh is that what it is? It looked like it had more of an electrical harness type of connector. I’ll be taking out the carpet for deep clean... perhaps that will allow me to grab some better photos of it.
 
Hard to say — that’s a quick 4 AM swag by me. Others will be able to tell you for sure.
 
As far as I can tell, everything electrically seems to be working that I could imagine it to be... aside from the power headrests. But for those, I think I need to repair the gears/rails, cause I can hear the motor working.
 
I believe there is either a HOW-TO or more info on the headrest rail/guide replacement. Possibly something that @DerFuror did some years ago.
 
I believe there is either a HOW-TO or more info on the headrest rail/guide replacement. Possibly something that @DerFuror did some years ago.
I think I saw it sometime last year when I was contemplating getting a 500 and joining y’all. I’ll look it up. 👍🏻
 
I don't recognize that connector. I don't believe it's the cell phone cable, which is an RJ-45 style jack. I'm not sure what it is.

I always disconnect the connector at the front of the seat, to disable to stupidly annoying seatbelt warning buzzer. That one looks different though.
 
I don't recognize that connector. I don't believe it's the cell phone cable, which is an RJ-45 style jack. I'm not sure what it is.

I always disconnect the connector at the front of the seat, to disable to stupidly annoying seatbelt warning buzzer. That one looks different though.
Sweet—looks like my car came with a mystery connector. Maybe if I connect something to it, I’ll find a portal into John Malkovich. 😂

Once I get the seats and carpet removed, I’ll take some better photos. I’ll also try following it to wherever it leads. 👀
 
aside from the power headrests. But for those, I think I need to repair the gears/rails, cause I can hear the motor working.

I believe there is either a HOW-TO or more info on the headrest rail/guide replacement. Possibly something that @DerFuror did some years ago.

I think I saw it sometime last year when I was contemplating getting a 500 and joining y’all. I’ll look it up. 👍🏻
@DerFuror HOW-TO on headrest guide replacement:

 
@DerFuror HOW-TO on headrest guide replacement:

Awesome—yep that’s the one I saw when I first started lurking on this forum. Looking forward to diving deeper into the seats. 👍🏻
 
Awesome—yep that’s the one I saw when I first started lurking on this forum. Looking forward to diving deeper into the seats. 👍🏻
I'm 100% confident that the transmission rebuilder gurus here on the forum will tell you that repairing/rebuilding/re-sealing the seats and associated motors, gears, rails, and guides is much more daunting than doing same with the transmissions on the E500Es. :noevil:
 
I'm 100% confident that the transmission rebuilder gurus here on the forum will tell you that repairing/rebuilding/re-sealing the seats and associated motors, gears, rails, and guides is much more daunting than doing same with the transmissions on the E500Es. :noevil:
😅😂🍿
 
I'm 100% confident that the transmission rebuilder gurus here on the forum will tell you that repairing/rebuilding/re-sealing the seats and associated motors, gears, rails, and guides is much more daunting than doing same with the transmissions on the E500Es. :noevil:
By the way—that $5-10k deferred maintenance number that you and several others have preached? The last 5 months for me have absolutely proved it to be pretty much spot-on accurate. 😅😑 And that doesn’t include the potential transmission rebuild...
 
By the way—that $5-10k deferred maintenance number that you and several others have preached? The last 5 months for me have absolutely proved it to be pretty much spot-on accurate. 😅😑 And that doesn’t include the potential transmission rebuild...
You're one of quite a growing number of folks who have said the same thing.

When I first made the $5K law, I was roundly tarred and feathered by a few folks ("MY car could never need anything.....it is PERFECT!").
When I extended it to the $10K law, I was almost burned at the stake as a heretic by my own forum members.
I don't think the newest "$20K" law has sunk in enough yet, to cause outrage. Because, COVID.

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You're one of quite a growing number of folks who have said the same thing.

When I first made the $5K law, I was roundly tarred and feathered by a few folks ("MY car could never need anything.....it is PERFECT!").
When I extended it to the $10K law, I was almost burned at the stake as a heretic by my own forum members.
I don't think the newest "$20K" law has sunk in enough yet, to cause outrage. Because, COVID.

View attachment 121592
Yeah I’m definitely closer to it being $10k than $5k. And that’s with the car overall being in good condition, and having a family member who’s a Master Tech at Fletcher Jones who can take care of a lot of the labor for me. 😬
 
Yes, that is an important distinction. The $5K/10K/20K Laws are assuming dealer or qualified independent shop labor, and parts prices that are dealer or independent shop prices (i.e. MSRP or slightly discounted).

The laws can be cut by around 40-50% by using DIY labor and highly discounted mail-order MB parts that many of us get.

So, your $10K deferred maintenance law is still going to be $5K, doing all the labor yourself.
 
Yes, that is an important distinction. The $5K/10K/20K Laws are assuming dealer or qualified independent shop labor, and parts prices that are dealer or independent shop prices (i.e. MSRP or slightly discounted).

The laws can be cut by around 40-50% by using DIY labor and highly discounted mail-order MB parts that many of us get.

So, your $10K deferred maintenance law is still going to be $5K, doing all the labor yourself.
Makes sense. I’ve been doing a fair bit by myself, and a lot of the upcoming stuff I’ll be trying to handle myself, but man... I don’t know what I’d do if my brother-in-law at Fletcher Jones MB wasn’t graciously, selflessly refusing payment for a lot of the work he’s been, and will be, doing. He’s just simply doing it because he loves me, and loves that he can help. A few other guys at FJ MB have already asked him if I’d be willing to sell my car. 😂 Anyway, because of his generosity, that alone will be saving me thousands off that Law # approximation.

Might I also add that I’ve probably been saving a fair bit of money simply by joining this community. Posts, and private side conversations, have really helped in educatedly guiding me toward good decisions, and steering me away from poor ones. I’m an elementary school teacher who unfortunately doesn’t have the deep pockets to have a bunch of missteps on a car I’ve simply wanted to own since the early 90’s... so I’m immeasurably appreciative of this place, and of a lot of you. 👊🏻
 
@gerryvz I support your $20K law as it may include personal modifications as well as deferred maintenance on a 'perfectly good car which "needs nothing" been there done that'. $5-$10K is a given and pretty much should be added to any purchase at most any price for an E5E. it's just the way it goes. If you are a DYIer then save on the labor and cost may be less. What you did to your car over the last 6 months or so would cost a solid $25K or more here in Miami at any suitable shop. And probably take about he same amount of time due to their backlog. (I don't trust any of them with a classic Benz) a classic Porsche is another story, got a full menu to choose from.
 
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