Question about Climate Control
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 23
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From: Houston, TX
2001 CLK-430
Question about Climate Control
I'm not sure what I did, or what happened, but for some reason the "EC" button on my climate control won't turn off. Whenever I get in the car and turn it on, even if I have the A/C off the EC button is still on. If I turn the car completely off and turn the key to the "on" position I then have control over the EC button once again. But as I said, everytime I start the car initially, it's always on. Does anyone have any ideas???
Thanks,
Ethan
Thanks,
Ethan
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 95
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From: Baltimore, Md
2005 SL500
Simon~
The EC button is the "Economy Mode" button, it is used to gain better fuel economy by turning off the A/C compressor. Basically it is the same as an "A/C On" button in any other car, except that the default for the MB is "A/C On", EC turns the A/C off. In cold months the A/C compressor does not need to be on, except for the fact that the compressor takes moisture out of the heated air, therby helping to prevent fogging of the windows. When EC is illuminated that means the A/C compressor is off and is fine for heating the car. Your A/C will not get that cold, however, during the summer if EC is on(ie-A/C compressor is off). Also, the A/C compressor uses alot of power, with it on (ie-EC off) so you should get improved gas mileage and a little more power by turning EC on (ie A/C off). Hope that helps!
Ethan-
As far as the "stuck EC on" problem, I cannot positively help. The default position is EC off, but the car remembers the last setting of the EC button when you turn off the car, so it will be the same when you turn it back on (the car). Sounds like an electrical/CPU problem. You may try unhooking the battery for awhile and hooking the positive plug to negative plug to drain residual electricity (CAUTION: DO NOT do this to the BATTERY, ONLY the connectors from the car), this SHOULD reset the cars memory (though you will lose other stored settings and have to enter your radio code) and maybe fix the problem.
Rick
PS- I was sitting in my car waiting for some food the other day and all of the sudden my trunk just popped open..... I know I did not press the button or anything. Strange???
The EC button is the "Economy Mode" button, it is used to gain better fuel economy by turning off the A/C compressor. Basically it is the same as an "A/C On" button in any other car, except that the default for the MB is "A/C On", EC turns the A/C off. In cold months the A/C compressor does not need to be on, except for the fact that the compressor takes moisture out of the heated air, therby helping to prevent fogging of the windows. When EC is illuminated that means the A/C compressor is off and is fine for heating the car. Your A/C will not get that cold, however, during the summer if EC is on(ie-A/C compressor is off). Also, the A/C compressor uses alot of power, with it on (ie-EC off) so you should get improved gas mileage and a little more power by turning EC on (ie A/C off). Hope that helps!
Ethan-
As far as the "stuck EC on" problem, I cannot positively help. The default position is EC off, but the car remembers the last setting of the EC button when you turn off the car, so it will be the same when you turn it back on (the car). Sounds like an electrical/CPU problem. You may try unhooking the battery for awhile and hooking the positive plug to negative plug to drain residual electricity (CAUTION: DO NOT do this to the BATTERY, ONLY the connectors from the car), this SHOULD reset the cars memory (though you will lose other stored settings and have to enter your radio code) and maybe fix the problem.
Rick
PS- I was sitting in my car waiting for some food the other day and all of the sudden my trunk just popped open..... I know I did not press the button or anything. Strange???
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 402
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11 ML350
When the EC light comes on, HOT or COLD weather, is means that your a/c systme has a leak and there isn't enough pressure to have the a/c kompressor running, this is a saftey feature.
The a/c will still work in the winter. You use a/c to defrost you windshied hot or cold.
Brian
The a/c will still work in the winter. You use a/c to defrost you windshied hot or cold.
Brian
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 23
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From: Houston, TX
2001 CLK-430
Originally posted by redcoupe
When the EC light comes on, HOT or COLD weather, is means that your a/c systme has a leak and there isn't enough pressure to have the a/c kompressor running, this is a saftey feature.
The a/c will still work in the winter. You use a/c to defrost you windshied hot or cold.
Brian
When the EC light comes on, HOT or COLD weather, is means that your a/c systme has a leak and there isn't enough pressure to have the a/c kompressor running, this is a saftey feature.
The a/c will still work in the winter. You use a/c to defrost you windshied hot or cold.
Brian
Is this a/c system also one that can be recharged myself or do I need to take it to the dealer to do it?
Thanks,
Ethan
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 402
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11 ML350
You can recharge it your self, but you realy don't know how much you need to put in and it will just leak out again.
I would be better to just get the problem fixed now and safe money in the long run.
Brian
I would be better to just get the problem fixed now and safe money in the long run.
Brian
