C36 AMG, C43 AMG (W202) 1995 - 2000

Help! Smoke from climate control unit!

Old Jul 21, 2020 | 11:34 PM
  #1  
Goldecho's Avatar
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1996 Mercedes C36 AMG
Help! Smoke from climate control unit!


Everything was working fine this morning. After work got in car, turned on, display on climate control showed as blank, buttons non responsive. After a couple minutes of driving smoke from the top button area! Smells like burning electronics!! Ideas??
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 01:27 PM
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C43 c55 C63
Only way to really find out is pop it out and check connections or any signs of damage
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 01:30 PM
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
Wonder is a fuse melted in the back. Doesn't the ac control unit have a fuse in it or is that the radio deck.
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 01:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Benzrider17
Only way to really find out is pop it out and check connections or any signs of damage
Yeah. I pulled over and turned off the vehicle pronto to cut power to the unit. After letting things cool off for a bit, I turned the vehicle back on to see what would happen. Not only did the smoke not come back, but the unit started working perfectly again! Cold AC, display perfect. Bizarre!
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 01:34 PM
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
Odd.

Does your radio work?
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by PJmak
Odd.

Does your radio work?
Yes radio worked the whole time, and now everything works.

Lol took a lickin' and kept on tickin'! Tough car.
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 01:50 PM
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
Never heard of that happening on a w202 but the fact is something caused the smoke and I wouldn't just ignore it
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by PJmak
Never heard of that happening on a w202 but the fact is something caused the smoke and I wouldn't just ignore it
Yeah I plan to take it out and look.
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Old Jul 22, 2020 | 04:30 PM
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
I would replace the unit to be on the safe side. Could it be the light bulb in the unit which blew?
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Old Jul 23, 2020 | 09:37 AM
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99 C43, 73 911 targa
The fellow I purchased my C43 from 2 years ago has a business in TN that specializes in older MB HVAC rebuilds, etc. Performance Analysis Inc. www.perfanalysis.com. His name is George Murphy and he is a long time Technical Advisor to the Mercedes Benz Club of America.
Drop him a line and see if he can assist.
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Old Aug 3, 2020 | 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by silverc4s
The fellow I purchased my C43 from 2 years ago has a business in TN that specializes in older MB HVAC rebuilds, etc. Performance Analysis Inc. www.perfanalysis.com. His name is George Murphy and he is a long time Technical Advisor to the Mercedes Benz Club of America.
Drop him a line and see if he can assist.
By any chance does he fix the climate control fade problem? Both of my cars need this fixed.
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Old Aug 3, 2020 | 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by speed43
By any chance does he fix the climate control fade problem? Both of my cars need this fixed.
There was a DIY thread done many years ago on here by a member. Perhaps if you search you'll find it.
Member was 503C43////AMG

Found the link https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...trol-unit.html

Last edited by DRBC43AMG; Aug 3, 2020 at 03:11 PM. Reason: Added link
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Old Aug 4, 2020 | 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by DRBC43AMG
There was a DIY thread done many years ago on here by a member. Perhaps if you search you'll find it.
Member was 503C43////AMG

Found the link https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...trol-unit.html

Thanks. I read that before but the fix did not work at the end. Even for the original guy that posted the fix. Still worth a try to just remove the unit and tighten the screws....
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Old Aug 5, 2020 | 10:47 AM
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1998 C43 AMG
Originally Posted by Goldecho
Yes radio worked the whole time, and now everything works.

Lol took a lickin' and kept on tickin'! Tough car.
These cars are built like tanks.

Anyhow, like PJ said, grab a set of the stereo removal keys and pull that climate control unit out and have a look. Smoke is obviously indicative of a problem. The likely culprit sounds like a loose or exposed wire. Whatever it is, though, find it and get it fixed. If things start burning behind your dash, it can go south quickly.
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Old Aug 5, 2020 | 05:19 PM
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1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
Originally Posted by speed43
Thanks. I read that before but the fix did not work at the end. Even for the original guy that posted the fix. Still worth a try to just remove the unit and tighten the screws....
The fix worked but only for a couple months as all I did was reconnect the zebra connector. If you did what I did, and add some adhesive to prevent the zebra connector from disconnecting, it would be a lifetime fix.

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