86 A/c Problem Please Look
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86 A/c Problem Please Look
my a/c is driving me crazy on my 86 300e, the previous owner did a trick with the key by turning it a certain way to make the a/c come on but i cannot get it to work, when im driving the car only hot air comes from the vents and i hear a clicking noise coming from i think the compressor like its trying to come on, i have tried replacing the 30a fuse and now going to replace my climate controls anyone have any advise? thanks!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
I don't think this key trick thing has any value, because there is not much linked from A/C to the ignition key, but the 12V supply. If your compressor kicks in and nothing comes cold it calls for several things to be faulty:
1) no or low refrigerant level in the system
2) to high pressure in the system (overfilled) lets the compressor stop
3) KLIMA control relay has a problem
4) the evapurator valve doesn't work
5) leaking condensor
6).........
I don't think the controls are the first thing to check.
If you need to see an A/C specialist you can also convert to the R134a which is the new refrigerant (the old R12 freon costs a fortune, if available at all). Technically no probelm (I had 2 W124 converted '86 and '90) you just need to replace the dryer, new supply and drain valves and check the systems for leaks first.
Good luck
1) no or low refrigerant level in the system
2) to high pressure in the system (overfilled) lets the compressor stop
3) KLIMA control relay has a problem
4) the evapurator valve doesn't work
5) leaking condensor
6).........
I don't think the controls are the first thing to check.
If you need to see an A/C specialist you can also convert to the R134a which is the new refrigerant (the old R12 freon costs a fortune, if available at all). Technically no probelm (I had 2 W124 converted '86 and '90) you just need to replace the dryer, new supply and drain valves and check the systems for leaks first.
Good luck
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Joined: Apr 2006
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bamberger_1 i forgot to say i dont think the fan is blowing any air so even if i did convert the freon i still wouldnt feel it correct? is there any troubleshooting i should do b4 taking it to a specialist? thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 33
From: Germany
'00 S320 W220, '98 A160 W168/ sold in 2005 '86 260 E W124 '90 260E W124
Hmmmmmmmm.
If the fan dosn't blow there are several reasons, either the fan is shot and/or the vacuum line opening the air outlets are not working properly.
But never the less if the A/C works you should definitely feel the cold along A/C hosing from the compressor to the evapurator. If this is not getting cold, the system might be drained by a leak.
If this is okay, but still no cool inside, check if the fan is shot. You need to take off the windshield wiper, the panels on the bottom part of the windscreen, part of the screen of the air inlet, and there you find the A/C fan. Unplug it and try to apply straight 12V from the battery. See whether or not is turns. To check the vacuum lines is really tough, because most of them are running behind the dash board as also the actuator valves are sitting there. If the dash needs to come out big $$$$. If the systems cools, as discribed above and still no cool inside, it may be the controls??? Do you have the automatic or manual A/C controls. If you have the automatic (what guess you have) you may find some infos in the forum. I'm not familiar with detail functions of the automatic controls, so it's hard to tell how to check it for me.
If the fan dosn't blow there are several reasons, either the fan is shot and/or the vacuum line opening the air outlets are not working properly.
But never the less if the A/C works you should definitely feel the cold along A/C hosing from the compressor to the evapurator. If this is not getting cold, the system might be drained by a leak.
If this is okay, but still no cool inside, check if the fan is shot. You need to take off the windshield wiper, the panels on the bottom part of the windscreen, part of the screen of the air inlet, and there you find the A/C fan. Unplug it and try to apply straight 12V from the battery. See whether or not is turns. To check the vacuum lines is really tough, because most of them are running behind the dash board as also the actuator valves are sitting there. If the dash needs to come out big $$$$. If the systems cools, as discribed above and still no cool inside, it may be the controls??? Do you have the automatic or manual A/C controls. If you have the automatic (what guess you have) you may find some infos in the forum. I'm not familiar with detail functions of the automatic controls, so it's hard to tell how to check it for me.
