I am not able to turn off the "EC" light

[proform]

I have been unable to get the EC light on my climate control off and thus have not been able to get A/C...Any ideas? I hate to bring it back to the dealer again..This W208 55 is definatly a lemon in the climate control dept.

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[midget fidger]

Ohhhhhh boy, that stupid thing haunted me for several months. Except I knew that my AC system was in full working order. Try this and see if it brings up any fault codes in the AC system (from http://www.continentalimports.com/ser_ic40142.html):

The procedures for pulling Fault Codes go like this (See Chart 3): Turn on the ignition, and set the left temperature to "HI" and the right temperature to "LO." Then, simultaneously press buttons "Rest" and "EC" for five or more seconds. All of this must be done within 20 seconds. The "Recirculate" button will flash its LED. The screen will then go blank, and the first code can be brought up by pressing the right "AUTO" button.

Figure 2 Subsequent codes are retrieved by additional application of the right "AUTO" button. Figure 2 shows code B1234. Note that the code starts with "E" for error. Also note that the B1234 code appears as Eb1 234 on the screen.

[midget fidger]

See my rantings over at

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=71756

TresX is probably the only person that has ever heard about what I talked about in that post, and he gave me instructions on how to go back into the thing, but I'm not sure if I did something wrong because it didn't work. He knows about A/Cs so if something is physically wrong with your system, he might be able to help.

[proform]

Thanks for the posts...Im really confused thow....I was able to bring up the different values on the climate control by following the instrructions but Im not sure what Iam supposed to do...Iam able to change the values but that does not seem to help....I have a OBD II scanner...Should I try this?

[midget fidger]

yea see if there are any fault codes that match the ones listed in that posted table

[proform]

The scanner found no codes?

[midget fidger]

does anything come up when you run the test in my first reply?

[proform]

Your the man!! I did what you said and code "eb1 241" came up then I hit the auto button again and nothing happened but when I fired the car back up the EC light was off!!....Thanks...I will keep you posted if it come back on.

What is 241? Refrigerant fill mean?

[proform]

Its Back!! code "eb1 241"

[midget fidger]

yeah, i guess it only temporarily cleared the fault. if thats the only problem, all you need is to refill the system. it shuts off the compressor to prevent damage when you're empty. i think any mechanic shop should be able to do it for cheap...check the book of your car, it'll tell you what type of refridgerant you need in the last couple of pages - just make sure they put that kind in i guess

[TresX]

Turn the car on....press and hold the rest button a few seconds. When the diagnostics comes up, look at the value for #7. That is your refrigerant pressure in bar. If it is low or even empty, you have a refrigerant leak somewhere. MB cars are sealed and should never leak refrigerant....FOREVER. If this is the case, there are many possible situations that will make you lose refrigerant.

the easiest way to check for a leak is to fill your system with refrigerant that contains UV dye. Once you've done that, monitor value #7 to see how fast/slow you are losing refrigerant. If it takes a while, then you should be happy, but if you lose most of it in say 2 - 3 weeks or faster.....get out the check book.

Best case scenario ($$$wise)
- you have a leak in one of your refrigerant lines or where they are connected.

Otherwise, it could be your condensor, compressor or dare I say it...your evaporator. If it is the latter....I hope you have an extended warrenty. I'm a little busy now but I'll add to this later.

[proform]

Thanks for the posts.....The car is under warranty so I guess I will just bring it back again....Thanks guys

[TresX]

keep us posted...

[proform]

dropping it off today.

[proform]

I told them about the board and they asked what ideas you guys had cause this is the 3rd time and they cant figure it out....I told them to check the evaporater and they said they would sniff it. Just thought you might get kick out of that....stay tuned.

[proform]

All Fixed....They Found Leaks Around The Condensor.

[midget fidger]

awesome

[TresX]

did they replace the dryer as well? If they didn't I would definitely make a complaint. MB recommends replacing the dryer whenever the compressor has a leak and must be replaced.

[TresX]

Originally Posted by proform

I told them about the board and they asked what ideas you guys had cause this is the 3rd time and they cant figure it out....I told them to check the evaporater and they said they would sniff it. Just thought you might get kick out of that....stay tuned.

By sniff it, they're talking about a sniffer that can detect traces of refrigerant. It's actually quite handy to check the evaporator because you can just stick it up there and see what it reads, instead of tearing apart your dash.

[proform]

Iam not sure if they replaced the dryer....Should I ask? What are the downsides if they did not?

[TresX]

You should definitely ask. If there was a leak in your compressor where your refrigerant leaked to the point that your EC light came on, then you have a chance of moisture getting into your dryer. This is BAD. If they didn't replace it, you ran into some scum bags seeing is that the part costs 1/12 of what the compressor cost. But then again, maybe they did. Didn't you get a service receipt?

[dbaumy]

I had the same problem, they fixed the leak and replaced the dryer due to the possibility of moister getting in - lucky you, mine wasn't under warranty.