I love how it does that.
Noisy Air Conditioner ?? Stepper Motor Replacement / Clicking & Hissing
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
Likes: 169
From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Hey guys, I do need to go through and read the whole thread....I reviewed the pdf buell posted...
it seems to mention c240 and c320 but not c230 so much.
The problem I'm having is that the floor vent is stuck in the open posistion.
It's quite irritating, your feet freeze, and you can't get the air to blow full blast through the dash vents. Once winter comes around, it'll be
my feet getting baked!
You guys I know I help out a lot around here.
If someone who's been through this can give me the short version of what I need to do, and which motor it is, I would be most appreciative.
I have tried doing the recirc/defrost reset, but it just runs continuously
which means it aint workin'.
VERY interesting how the keys actually store data related the climate control.
I'm gonna hook up my CS 7.4 and see if I can read the codes and clear them etc. See if that does anything.
I have access to SDS if that helps.
Suggestions please from those who have been around with this.
it seems to mention c240 and c320 but not c230 so much.
The problem I'm having is that the floor vent is stuck in the open posistion.
It's quite irritating, your feet freeze, and you can't get the air to blow full blast through the dash vents. Once winter comes around, it'll be
my feet getting baked!
You guys I know I help out a lot around here.
If someone who's been through this can give me the short version of what I need to do, and which motor it is, I would be most appreciative.
I have tried doing the recirc/defrost reset, but it just runs continuously
which means it aint workin'.
VERY interesting how the keys actually store data related the climate control.
I'm gonna hook up my CS 7.4 and see if I can read the codes and clear them etc. See if that does anything.
I have access to SDS if that helps.
Suggestions please from those who have been around with this.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Most likely the linkage for M2/15, footwell flap positioning motor. There is no Reader's Digest version of replacing it. I've been into the motors and linkages four times and did the 'cook book' method each time. My only advice is when it comes to removing the radio/heater control cage just break the tabs that hold it to the cross brace in the back. It's usually hard the first time for anything this complicated but the posted instructions work great. I hope it goes well for you.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 420
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From: Nor Cal
A Car
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 60
From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
Question to Any or everyone who change Their Stepper Motor... Are all the Stepper Motors the Same? my M2/19 Motor is not working correctly so am thinking since am going into the DASH to Replace it i may replace all the Motors and Linkages Close to it! 
Thank You!
203-820-16-42 Motor "Black Unit"
203-830-00-33 Linkage "White Plastic"
Thank You!
203-820-16-42 Motor "Black Unit"
203-830-00-33 Linkage "White Plastic"
Last edited by WaveyKat; Oct 1, 2009 at 09:09 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Yes, all 10 of them are the same. I suggest replacing both footwell flap positioning actuator linkages/arms when you have it all apart.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 60
From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Don't buy ten motors.....some of them are not accessible unless you remove the top of the dash (VERY difficult) as well as the center stack and bottoms. Also, make sure you use the same plug for each motor location. They are all on the same serial cable but each plug is coded for that specific location.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 60
From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
Well thanks.. I was only gonna get like 4 motors the one I need is just M2/19 but if I see any motor that is close by while the dash is out I will replace the motors and arm..
Last edited by WaveyKat; Oct 1, 2009 at 08:56 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,152
Likes: 60
From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
ok took apart my Dash today to replace Stepper Motor & Linkage M2/19 because it was Ticking like a bomb! boy what a work out!! well everything was ok up untill i remove The Stepper Motor and found that it Doesnt have a Regular Linkage like all the rest of motors. i was pissed! so rushed to the Dealer to find this little plastic Gear thing-e! came to find out they dont sell it alone so i had to buy an Enitre Package of all different types of plastic thing-es thats makes the HVAC system works Crap cost $87 and only needed one piece of Plastic from the bunch aint that some $hi*.. anyways here are the picture.. and everything works Great!!
Pastic Gear Thing-e for Stepper motor M2/19
Stepper Motor M2/19 With the Purple Connector! the one with the Green Connector Also has the Same Plastic Gear Thing-e!
Located Right Behind Your Headunit!
So Anyone who is Replace those Stepper motor Be Carefull! Good Luck!
Enjoy!
Pastic Gear Thing-e for Stepper motor M2/19
Stepper Motor M2/19 With the Purple Connector! the one with the Green Connector Also has the Same Plastic Gear Thing-e!
Located Right Behind Your Headunit!
So Anyone who is Replace those Stepper motor Be Carefull! Good Luck!
Enjoy!
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
'02 C320 Wagon
I have an '02 C320 wagon with "comfort" air conditioning. I just finished replacing the broken arm on stepper motor M2/10 - the one right behind the radio power button which controls the left footwell flap. After I got it back together, there is still clicking coming from the top center of the dash, right under the fresh air vent on top. It's either motor M2/8 or M2/9, which are the left and right defrost motors. I can get my hand on the left motor when the clicking is present and I can feel a slight tapping, but not very strong - it might be the right motor gone bad and I'm just feeling the tapping through the ductwork...
The Benz service DVD says I have to remove most of the dash, including the big steel frame that supports it, to get to either of these motors. Is there an easier/less obtrusive way to get at them?? It sounds like they're right under the triangular fresh air vent on top, but I'm not sure how to remove it yet, of even if it would allow access to the motors.
A few posters in this thread have mentioned the same motors, but there were no responses. Anyone with firsthand experience doing this job?? Thanks in advance.
The Benz service DVD says I have to remove most of the dash, including the big steel frame that supports it, to get to either of these motors. Is there an easier/less obtrusive way to get at them?? It sounds like they're right under the triangular fresh air vent on top, but I'm not sure how to remove it yet, of even if it would allow access to the motors.
A few posters in this thread have mentioned the same motors, but there were no responses. Anyone with firsthand experience doing this job?? Thanks in advance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
... It's either motor M2/8 or M2/9, which are the left and right defrost motors. I can get my hand on the left motor when the clicking is present and I can feel a slight tapping, but not very strong - it might be the right motor gone bad and I'm just feeling the tapping through the ductwork....
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C32
Stepper nightmares!!
Hey guys... So I own a C320 (2003) and had the left footwell stepper motor replaced under warranty. A year later same one broke and the dealer replaced for free (out of warranty). Six months later the right footwell stepper motor was replaced (September 2009). All was fine again until last night when I heard the famous "ticking" again. Took it to my mechanic who hooked it up to his computer and was told it was the left defroster stepper now. Estimated price to repair is between $900 and $1,300 depending on if the motor is busted or not. This is truly disgusting. I know Mercedes have never had the highest reliability ratings but come on! Any idea on alternatives to "fixing" this problem like removing a certain fuse etc...? Anyone in the area (Chicago and western suburbs) have experience with this repair and want to earn a few bucks? Thanks for the help!
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, Canada
2002 C230 Coupe
Hey Guys,
The problem I've had for the last year is my car (2002 c230 coupe) doesn't seem to produce heat alot of heat in cold conditions. I've run the re-sync and it just goes on and on and on which suggests something isn't right.
I can change the air-flow with out any problems between the defrost, foot and vents which seems to rule out M2/15 & M2/16. I can also alter the temperature of the feeble heat I do get so I'm thinkin the left/right blend motors are ok (M2/6 and M2/7). So that leave the fresh air motor (m2/21 or m2/5). I believe my recirculation mode is working as the heat gets a little hotter if I put it on. So by process of elimination would this mean it's like M2/21? Also, I can hear no "clicking" noise as many have described.
If that is so, is this motor/linkage easy to access? Does my logic seem right?
Rich...
The problem I've had for the last year is my car (2002 c230 coupe) doesn't seem to produce heat alot of heat in cold conditions. I've run the re-sync and it just goes on and on and on which suggests something isn't right.
I can change the air-flow with out any problems between the defrost, foot and vents which seems to rule out M2/15 & M2/16. I can also alter the temperature of the feeble heat I do get so I'm thinkin the left/right blend motors are ok (M2/6 and M2/7). So that leave the fresh air motor (m2/21 or m2/5). I believe my recirculation mode is working as the heat gets a little hotter if I put it on. So by process of elimination would this mean it's like M2/21? Also, I can hear no "clicking" noise as many have described.
If that is so, is this motor/linkage easy to access? Does my logic seem right?
Rich...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Newry - UK
CLK 320 Avantgarde Cabriolet
You may have a broken linkage arm which wouldn't necessarily produce the clicking noise, the position 2/21 which you have narrowed it down to, has a nylon cog (see WaveyKat's post) for air diversion between front vents and windshield (or windscreen in Europe).
There is I believe a linkage from that cog though to the flap, I had to replace this the other night, I found that removing the front panel for the audio system etc allowed sufficient access without having to remove the entire centre console.
There is I believe a linkage from that cog though to the flap, I had to replace this the other night, I found that removing the front panel for the audio system etc allowed sufficient access without having to remove the entire centre console.
Last edited by Bananaskin; Nov 23, 2009 at 07:46 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 809
Likes: 74
From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
Sorry to anyone who sent me messages in the last year or so.. got addicted to a certain video game and didn't do anything besides work and that..
if anyone in the DFW area needs help, shoot me a message and i'll see what I can do..
if anyone in the DFW area needs help, shoot me a message and i'll see what I can do..
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
02 C32
This might sound very stupid, but i been reading this threat here and I 110% agree that it is very helpful. In the end, the QUESTION is how can we TEST to see it other Flap Motor are ok and does is work properly? Do we plug the AC Controller unit back and the radio to test it? I just want to make sure that other people and myself understand and SEE the function of each Flap Motor and how to test it before we put everything together.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
You don't need to install the radio. You can run the stepper motor synch test with all the parts out...just hook up the two (or three, it's been a while ???) cables to the HVAC control unit. You won't be able to view all the motors...the ones behind and at the top are out of sight. You can feel/hear the air escape from the different vents when you run the test before disassembly so you can tell which flaps are failing.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Warrington, UK
C270 Cdi Avantgarde
Hi Guys, newbie here.
Great info so far, I am typing this with bloodstained fingers but its all part of the fun of fixing stuff!
I have dismantled my dash to the point where i am looking at the charcoal filter housing and the blower motor, with motor removed, I need to get to the A32m2 Stepper motor on top of the charcoal filter housing,
Can anyone help as I cannot move the filter housing and my hands dont fit above the housing! I am in the UK so this section is on the passenger side, so behind the glovebox.
Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks
Carl
Great info so far, I am typing this with bloodstained fingers but its all part of the fun of fixing stuff!
I have dismantled my dash to the point where i am looking at the charcoal filter housing and the blower motor, with motor removed, I need to get to the A32m2 Stepper motor on top of the charcoal filter housing,
Can anyone help as I cannot move the filter housing and my hands dont fit above the housing! I am in the UK so this section is on the passenger side, so behind the glovebox.
Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks
Carl
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
I also have one of the motors malfunctioning above and behind the filter (M2/9). The best I could do is disconnect it. After a lot of research it appears the only way to get to those motors is to remove the upper dash. Someone on this forum actually removed the upper dash and posted a 'how to' for the upper dash removal. Is it making noise or not working? Can't you get to the charcoal vent flaps and block them in the operational position?
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Warrington, UK
C270 Cdi Avantgarde
I wish mine was M2/9 as that pulls out easily!
It is making a horrible ticking noise which is amplified by the plastic surround its attached to so its really annoying!
I have tried holiding the flap in the charcoal housing but it still tries to move, I am considering drilling though under the charcoal housing and cutting a hole to put my hand in to disconnect, drastic but 2 days I have been trying to get to this part and my car is in bits!
I can just about reach my hand over the housing under the airbag, but my hands are too big to fit in - I can just about touch the motor but ned another 2" to be able to disconnect it, I have asked my wife but after looking at mine cut to shreds she didn't volunteer!!
Can anyone post instructions on how to remove the upper dash or should I get nasty with a drill??
It is making a horrible ticking noise which is amplified by the plastic surround its attached to so its really annoying!
I have tried holiding the flap in the charcoal housing but it still tries to move, I am considering drilling though under the charcoal housing and cutting a hole to put my hand in to disconnect, drastic but 2 days I have been trying to get to this part and my car is in bits!
I can just about reach my hand over the housing under the airbag, but my hands are too big to fit in - I can just about touch the motor but ned another 2" to be able to disconnect it, I have asked my wife but after looking at mine cut to shreds she didn't volunteer!!
Can anyone post instructions on how to remove the upper dash or should I get nasty with a drill??
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 196
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
'17 Jaguar XF
Try searching. Unfortunately it could be buried in any of the 'stepper motor' posts, HVAC posts, or who knows where. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
02 C32
Sometime while driving i can hear poping noise on the motor just move when ever it feel like it even i didnt touch the AC controller. So end up took my dash out today and find the my M2/11 motor is gone and it linkage have just a crack on it. I test the motor and it just move in weird direction. In addition to that, i found 2 of the gear holder for M2/19 & M/20 have the pump the to stop the motor from turning, it broke off and i re glue it. I guess i have to take out the dash completely to fix that but not going to. I was greatly disappoint it in how MB design there HVAC part, very easy to break. I have this car for 2 month and love the way the car drive but miscellaneous issue is a headache, and i feel like spending more time fixing the car than actually driving it. Someone please tell me if i need replace the gear holder? i have the picture below.
Last edited by NamC32; Jan 13, 2010 at 05:17 PM.
