Hello from new member, seat noise issue

**carver** · 07-04-2008

Hi everyone! I'm a new member and I'm very excited that this forum exists. It seems to be a wonderful resource with lots of great participants.

I just picked up our 08 SLK 350 yesterday and I already have a question for anyone that might be able to help:

There is a sound coming from the driver seat, but it isn't constant. At some points when there is any pressure into the seat back (just a bit like the little pressure of being pushed into the seat while accelerating) it makes a sound. I don't know how to describe the sound. It is like a rattle or a buzz, but neither of those words seem accurate.

I was thinking it might be related to the lumbar as if some air is being pushed out of it. I've tried to recreate the sound with lumbar turned completely up and completely down, but neither seems to tell me anything. Sometimes it does it and sometimes it doesn't. It is definitely related to pressure on the seat back. If I lean away from the seat when it happens, the sound stops. If I push back into the seat, it starts again.

The sounds seems to be coming out pretty close to ear level, making it very annoying.

I'm taking the car back in next week for some work, but I figured I'd see if anyone here knows what might be going on. I don't know if the passenger side does this. There has only been a passenger in it for about 5 minutes of driving.

Until I get this fixed (whatever it is), I'll just have to crank up the music.

Thanks!

**SLKCop** · 07-04-2008

Welcome, carver, seems as if you're describing a common issue of the seat rubbing. Ususally happens when accelerating or turning. Just leather rubbing on leather.

**etyu** · 07-04-2008

Welcome Carver.

**WhiteRabbit** · 07-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by carver

Hi everyone! I'm a new member and I'm very excited that this forum exists. It seems to be a wonderful resource with lots of great participants.

I just picked up our 08 SLK 350 yesterday and I already have a question for anyone that might be able to help:

There is a sound coming from the driver seat, but it isn't constant. At some points when there is any pressure into the seat back (just a bit like the little pressure of being pushed into the seat while accelerating) it makes a sound. I don't know how to describe the sound. It is like a rattle or a buzz, but neither of those words seem accurate.

I was thinking it might be related to the lumbar as if some air is being pushed out of it. I've tried to recreate the sound with lumbar turned completely up and completely down, but neither seems to tell me anything. Sometimes it does it and sometimes it doesn't. It is definitely related to pressure on the seat back. If I lean away from the seat when it happens, the sound stops. If I push back into the seat, it starts again.

The sounds seems to be coming out pretty close to ear level, making it very annoying.

I'm taking the car back in next week for some work, but I figured I'd see if anyone here knows what might be going on. I don't know if the passenger side does this. There has only been a passenger in it for about 5 minutes of driving.

Until I get this fixed (whatever it is), I'll just have to crank up the music.

Thanks!

It could be the seat back rubbing against the rear bulkhead if you have the seat all the way back. Or if you have air scarfe turned on, the fan in the heating unit can rattle if you push on the seat back hard enough.

mtiede · 07-04-2008

I have been noticing an occasional "tick" noise. It sounds like a penny in a plastic container that is being shoved about as the car accelerates or slows down or turns. But it doesn't happen all the time and I'm not really sure where it is coming from. (I removed all coins

) If I had to guess, I would guess it is somewhere in the seat.

Is this the same noise you are hearing?

**UK-C200** · 07-04-2008

Welcome! I keep my seat back almost all the way back, and I absolutely noticed it rubbing on the bulkhead. This is more of a "squeaking" sound, so I'm not sure if it's the same as what you are hearing.

As was mentioned before, move the seat forward a bit and see if you still hear the noise.

**carver** · 07-05-2008

Thanks for the replies. I'm fairly certain now that it is the fan for the air scarf rubbing against something when I lean into the seat.

It was making the sound this evening when driving home and I realized that it sounded like a fan rubbing against something. I had the air scarf on, so I turned it off and the sound gradually slowed and then stopped right along with the airflow slowing and then stopping.

I hope this is something that can be fixed and it isn't just the way it is going to be. At least now I know what to tell the dealership when I take it in next week.

Thanks again for all your thoughts on this issue.

Ikarus · 07-05-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtiede

I have been noticing an occasional "tick" noise. It sounds like a penny in a plastic container that is being shoved about as the car accelerates or slows down or turns. But it doesn't happen all the time and I'm not really sure where it is coming from. (I removed all coins

) If I had to guess, I would guess it is somewhere in the seat.

Is this the same noise you are hearing?

Sounds like the problem I have with the passenger seat (when occupied), but not like the one the OP describes.

mtiede · 07-05-2008

On the passenger seat, make sure the seat belt buckle rests on TOP of the seat and not around to the side. There is definitely a rattle there if the buckle isn't right.

As for our rattle, I wonder if it is the air scarf fan shifting on its shaft as suggested earlier when it is running, but maybe it shifts more than just when it is running.

**WhiteRabbit** · 07-05-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by carver

Thanks for the replies. I'm fairly certain now that it is the fan for the air scarf rubbing against something when I lean into the seat.

It was making the sound this evening when driving home and I realized that it sounded like a fan rubbing against something. I had the air scarf on, so I turned it off and the sound gradually slowed and then stopped right along with the airflow slowing and then stopping.

I hope this is something that can be fixed and it isn't just the way it is going to be. At least now I know what to tell the dealership when I take it in next week.

Thanks again for all your thoughts on this issue.

Both my previous 06 SLK 280 & current 09 SLK 350 have this behavior when the air scarf is on. On the 06 I had to press back in the seat before the fan would rattle. On the 09 if I lean to the right or left, the fan rattles. I removed the seat back and the heater/fan unit does have a little adjustment. I moved it a little bit and the rattle problem has lessened but it's still present at times. When the weather gets cooler I plan to play with the adjustment a little more. If you attempt to remove the seat back, you first have to remove two torx screws from the front of the seat that attach to the back cover. They are located under the rubber cover which is attached just under the head-rest. Sorry I did not take any pics when I did this. I will the next time I fiddle with it.

**carver** · 07-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Both my previous 06 SLK 280 & current 09 SLK 350 have this behavior when the air scarf is on. On the 06 I had to press back in the seat before the fan would rattle. On the 09 if I lean to the right or left, the fan rattles. I removed the seat back and the heater/fan unit does have a little adjustment. I moved it a little bit and the rattle problem has lessened but it's still present at times. When the weather gets cooler I plan to play with the adjustment a little more. If you attempt to remove the seat back, you first have to remove two torx screws from the front of the seat that attach to the back cover. They are located under the rubber cover which is attached just under the head-rest. Sorry I did not take any pics when I did this. I will the next time I fiddle with it.

Thanks WhiteRabbit, that is very helpful information. I had my SLK at the dealer for a couple days getting some work done and had asked them to check out this issue.

They told me it is normal. That isn't what I wanted to hear. It is one thing to push into the seat in an unnatural way and hear it, but when it does this with normal driving and not an intentional push of weight into the seat back, that seems like a bad design. I am 6' 4", but only just over 180 pounds, so I'm not a heavy guy.

I need to take it back in for a Nav install when they get the part in. I'll mention the adjustment and see if they can make it better.

What kind of adjustment is it? Is it something that changes the position of the fan or something like that?

I'm curious what others have experienced with a similar MY to my 08 and use of the air scarf. If others have never had this issue that would seem to imply that it isn't something to expect in every car. Has anyone other than WhiteRabbit had this issue? Has anyone used the air scarf frequently and never heard this sound?

Thanks.

FallintoCouture · 07-10-2008

I have a similar issue, but it doesn't involve my air scarf. When my passenger seat is totally empty with nothing on it it sounds like it's shaking, whenever I go over a bump or sometimes on smooth roads. I've dealt with it for three years, it's just really annoying... If these sounds are "normal" that's not good. Also, if you have a fabric windscreen and you leave it up, make sure your seats don't push into it because I now have worn holes into mine (but I refuse to change the way I adjust my seat)!

**carver** · 07-10-2008

It is interesting (but not good) to hear a variety of seat-related noise issues.

Thanks for the tip about the cloth windscreen. I tried it but didn't like the reduced visibility at night so I swapped it out for the plexi. Unfortunately, it seems to generate its own noise from the wind hitting it at highway speeds. I guess I'm picky about noise coming from things that shouldn't have any.

FallintoCouture · 07-10-2008

Yeah, I hear ya, I can see at night, but I can't tell what kind of car it is, so I never know if there's a cop behind me! Every solution has its own pros and cons, I guess :-/

**etyu** · 07-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by carver

...
I'm curious what others have experienced with a similar MY to my 08 and use of the air scarf. If others have never had this issue that would seem to imply that it isn't something to expect in every car. Has anyone other than WhiteRabbit had this issue? Has anyone used the air scarf frequently and never heard this sound?

Thanks.

I've used the airscarf on the 2008 SLK 55 this past winter and do not recall any noise other than the the noise of air rushing from behind the head and neck area. But then I'm a lightweight (63 kg or 140 lbs), make that featherweight.

FallintoCouture · 07-10-2008

Even though my passenger seat rattles when empty, I have never had an air scarf-related noise issue -- they are heavenly :-)!!!

**WhiteRabbit** · 07-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by carver

What kind of adjustment is it? Is it something that changes the position of the fan or something like that?
Thanks.

There is some play in the mounting for the entire housing. 4 bolts hold it in place. There may be more adjustment available that I did not see. I have my seat back reclined quite a bit and that may make contact with the fan blades more likely.

**carver** · 07-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

There is some play in the mounting for the entire housing. 4 bolts hold it in place. There may be more adjustment available that I did not see. I have my seat back reclined quite a bit and that may make contact with the fan blades more likely.

Thanks for the info. I agree with the seat being reclined it puts more weight/pressure on the back and make the contact with the fan more likely. In my case, I have the seat all the way back and not reclined hardly at all. I prefer a reclined seat but in this car I can't do that and still have the seat back as far as I need.

**carver** · 07-16-2008

I just wanted to update everyone on my noise issue where the air scar fan seemed to be rubbing.

I think it is fixed. I went back to the dealership for a Nav install and told them the results of what I heard here regarding the air scarf rubbing - particularly the adjustment info from WhiteRabbit. They took the back of the seat off and fixed it. It is too hot for an extensive test, but a brief test resulted in no rubbing noise.

Here is what my paperwork says they did:

"...Removed Air Scarf System, ran DW punch to modify the system so it would not contact the seat back anymore, installed all parts, verified repair." Anyone know what "DW Punch" means?

Thanks again for all your help!

On a side note, now they are trying to figure out why my Nav info won't display in the instrument cluster. I also just discovered that my IPOD menu doesn't come up anymore (but the music plays).

07-04-2008	#1 (permalink)
carver SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado - USA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 350 Posts: 37 Country: Thanks: 5 Thanked 22 Times in 6 Posts	Hello from new member, seat noise issue Hi everyone! I'm a new member and I'm very excited that this forum exists. It seems to be a wonderful resource with lots of great participants. I just picked up our 08 SLK 350 yesterday and I already have a question for anyone that might be able to help: There is a sound coming from the driver seat, but it isn't constant. At some points when there is any pressure into the seat back (just a bit like the little pressure of being pushed into the seat while accelerating) it makes a sound. I don't know how to describe the sound. It is like a rattle or a buzz, but neither of those words seem accurate. I was thinking it might be related to the lumbar as if some air is being pushed out of it. I've tried to recreate the sound with lumbar turned completely up and completely down, but neither seems to tell me anything. Sometimes it does it and sometimes it doesn't. It is definitely related to pressure on the seat back. If I lean away from the seat when it happens, the sound stops. If I push back into the seat, it starts again. The sounds seems to be coming out pretty close to ear level, making it very annoying. I'm taking the car back in next week for some work, but I figured I'd see if anyone here knows what might be going on. I don't know if the passenger side does this. There has only been a passenger in it for about 5 minutes of driving. Until I get this fixed (whatever it is), I'll just have to crank up the music. Thanks!
	http://www.slkworld.com/

07-04-2008	#2 (permalink)
SLKCop Click it or ticket! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Burleson, Texas Vehicle: Black on Black 2002 SLK-230 Kompressor Other Toys: 2007 Toyota Tundra Posts: 291 Country: Thanks: 61 Thanked 72 Times in 41 Posts	Welcome, carver, seems as if you're describing a common issue of the seat rubbing. Ususally happens when accelerating or turning. Just leather rubbing on leather. __________________ Mike 2002 Black SLK-230 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-04-2008	#3 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 4,860 Country: Thanks: 289 Thanked 198 Times in 98 Posts	Welcome Carver. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.* EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, HyperWhite license plate lamps ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Scott), bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

07-04-2008	#5 (permalink)
mtiede Founding Member #7 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Western New York Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 1,336 Thanks: 54 Thanked 23 Times in 18 Posts	I have been noticing an occasional "tick" noise. It sounds like a penny in a plastic container that is being shoved about as the car accelerates or slows down or turns. But it doesn't happen all the time and I'm not really sure where it is coming from. (I removed all coins ) If I had to guess, I would guess it is somewhere in the seat. Is this the same noise you are hearing?

07-04-2008	#6 (permalink)
UK-C200 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: London, UK & Baton Rouge, Louisiana Vehicle: 04 RHD C200K Coupe, 06 LHD SLK-350 Other Toys: Nacra F18 Posts: 291 Country: Thanks: 15 Thanked 63 Times in 32 Posts	Welcome! I keep my seat back almost all the way back, and I absolutely noticed it rubbing on the bulkhead. This is more of a "squeaking" sound, so I'm not sure if it's the same as what you are hearing. As was mentioned before, move the seat forward a bit and see if you still hear the noise.

07-05-2008	#7 (permalink)
carver SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado - USA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 350 Posts: 37 Country: Thanks: 5 Thanked 22 Times in 6 Posts	Thanks for the replies. I'm fairly certain now that it is the fan for the air scarf rubbing against something when I lean into the seat. It was making the sound this evening when driving home and I realized that it sounded like a fan rubbing against something. I had the air scarf on, so I turned it off and the sound gradually slowed and then stopped right along with the airflow slowing and then stopping. I hope this is something that can be fixed and it isn't just the way it is going to be. At least now I know what to tell the dealership when I take it in next week. Thanks again for all your thoughts on this issue.

07-05-2008	#9 (permalink)
mtiede Founding Member #7 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Western New York Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 1,336 Thanks: 54 Thanked 23 Times in 18 Posts	On the passenger seat, make sure the seat belt buckle rests on TOP of the seat and not around to the side. There is definitely a rattle there if the buckle isn't right. As for our rattle, I wonder if it is the air scarf fan shifting on its shaft as suggested earlier when it is running, but maybe it shifts more than just when it is running.

07-10-2008	#12 (permalink)
FallintoCouture SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Bergen County, NJ Vehicle: Alabaster White 2005 SLK350 Other Toys: Firemist Red 2001 SLK320 & Black 2005 CLK320 - R.I.P. :-( Posts: 18 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have a similar issue, but it doesn't involve my air scarf. When my passenger seat is totally empty with nothing on it it sounds like it's shaking, whenever I go over a bump or sometimes on smooth roads. I've dealt with it for three years, it's just really annoying... If these sounds are "normal" that's not good. Also, if you have a fabric windscreen and you leave it up, make sure your seats don't push into it because I now have worn holes into mine (but I refuse to change the way I adjust my seat)!

07-10-2008	#13 (permalink)
carver SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado - USA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 350 Posts: 37 Country: Thanks: 5 Thanked 22 Times in 6 Posts	It is interesting (but not good) to hear a variety of seat-related noise issues. Thanks for the tip about the cloth windscreen. I tried it but didn't like the reduced visibility at night so I swapped it out for the plexi. Unfortunately, it seems to generate its own noise from the wind hitting it at highway speeds. I guess I'm picky about noise coming from things that shouldn't have any.

07-10-2008	#14 (permalink)
FallintoCouture SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Bergen County, NJ Vehicle: Alabaster White 2005 SLK350 Other Toys: Firemist Red 2001 SLK320 & Black 2005 CLK320 - R.I.P. :-( Posts: 18 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yeah, I hear ya, I can see at night, but I can't tell what kind of car it is, so I never know if there's a cop behind me! Every solution has its own pros and cons, I guess :-/

07-10-2008	#16 (permalink)
FallintoCouture SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Bergen County, NJ Vehicle: Alabaster White 2005 SLK350 Other Toys: Firemist Red 2001 SLK320 & Black 2005 CLK320 - R.I.P. :-( Posts: 18 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Even though my passenger seat rattles when empty, I have never had an air scarf-related noise issue -- they are heavenly :-)!!!

07-16-2008	#19 (permalink)
carver SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado - USA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 350 Posts: 37 Country: Thanks: 5 Thanked 22 Times in 6 Posts	I just wanted to update everyone on my noise issue where the air scar fan seemed to be rubbing. I think it is fixed. I went back to the dealership for a Nav install and told them the results of what I heard here regarding the air scarf rubbing - particularly the adjustment info from WhiteRabbit. They took the back of the seat off and fixed it. It is too hot for an extensive test, but a brief test resulted in no rubbing noise. Here is what my paperwork says they did: "...Removed Air Scarf System, ran DW punch to modify the system so it would not contact the seat back anymore, installed all parts, verified repair." Anyone know what "DW Punch" means? Thanks again for all your help! On a side note, now they are trying to figure out why my Nav info won't display in the instrument cluster. I also just discovered that my IPOD menu doesn't come up anymore (but the music plays).