air con puzzlement??
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: WIDNES , UK
E320 93
air con puzzlement??
i have just bought a 93 e320 and am still smiling!! but i think the air con might be faulty.
the benz book says that if the light on the air con switch is lit then you have turned the aircon off (ie overidden it) - ok well if i follow that books instructions it just doesn't seem cold to me!
the aircon manual says something different, in fact just the opposite, when the light is lit the air con is working ?? see wot i mean very puzzled!! if i follow that manual it still doesn't feel cold. the weather here in the uk is only 10 degrees at the moment but yesterday it was about 19. does that make a significant difference?
should the temp setting be on blue or white - i have tried both by the way.
any clues and advice will be much appreciated.
thanks
the benz book says that if the light on the air con switch is lit then you have turned the aircon off (ie overidden it) - ok well if i follow that books instructions it just doesn't seem cold to me!
the aircon manual says something different, in fact just the opposite, when the light is lit the air con is working ?? see wot i mean very puzzled!! if i follow that manual it still doesn't feel cold. the weather here in the uk is only 10 degrees at the moment but yesterday it was about 19. does that make a significant difference?
should the temp setting be on blue or white - i have tried both by the way.
any clues and advice will be much appreciated.
thanks
Almost a Member!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
1992 Mecedes-Benz 400E
I don't know if you car has the automatic setup that ours do here in the states, but if it does then the be sure to get the A/C on the highest setting move the temp. indicator all the way to the blue so it hits the notch. Then push the middle button in the horizontal row of five buttons. On the vertical row of fan buttons to the right hit the uppermost one, with the solid white fan. That should set the fan on max and force the A/C to be constantly on.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: WIDNES , UK
E320 93
i think yours is different cos you must have climate control .
i know wot you mean by horizontal buttons - i saw the diagram in the handbook but like you say uk models are different.
i have got just three vertical buttons and the manual's contradict themselves.
do you have the manual for the air conditioning unit itself or just the benz handbook?
cheers for your reply
i know wot you mean by horizontal buttons - i saw the diagram in the handbook but like you say uk models are different.
i have got just three vertical buttons and the manual's contradict themselves.
do you have the manual for the air conditioning unit itself or just the benz handbook?
cheers for your reply
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: London, UK
W124
The air con works all the time. To turn it off press the EC button.
If you have the fan on and the thumbwheels set to 18 (or blue) and it's still not icey cold you mave have to have it re-gassed (£50). It's possible that you may have a leak or something else is horribly wrong but re-gassing it is where I'd start.
If you have the fan on and the thumbwheels set to 18 (or blue) and it's still not icey cold you mave have to have it re-gassed (£50). It's possible that you may have a leak or something else is horribly wrong but re-gassing it is where I'd start.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: WIDNES , UK
E320 93
thanks cap n jasper for that,
i did think maybe its the refrigerant low or something cos it aint icy cold whatever i do. my car has a differant switch than the one you show which is also in my benz handbook. - rather than ec its the snowflake symbol and in the aircon manual ( seperate from the benz one ) it says that the switch should be on for the aircon to be working - so you can see why i am so confused.
in any case it does look like you might be right about the gas.
where is the best place to have it checked out ??
thanks from mario 500
i did think maybe its the refrigerant low or something cos it aint icy cold whatever i do. my car has a differant switch than the one you show which is also in my benz handbook. - rather than ec its the snowflake symbol and in the aircon manual ( seperate from the benz one ) it says that the switch should be on for the aircon to be working - so you can see why i am so confused.
in any case it does look like you might be right about the gas.
where is the best place to have it checked out ??
thanks from mario 500
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
If you still have the A/C with the snowflake symbol, it needs to be pushed (LED on) to start the A/C compressor. If the engine running , the snowflake pushed, the thumbwheels turned to low you should notice the A/C kicking in. If you low on refrigerant it must have gone somewhere. So there may be a leak in the system, a pretty expensive exercise:-(
There is a pressure switch which causes the A/C to switch off when refrigerant (pressure) is low. It is on top of the dryer bottle. Passenger side (UK!) front corner next to the ABS pump. If you bridge the switch (ignition ON) the clutch of the A/C compressor should be activated (klicking noise). If not there might be only a relay or wiring problem. This is a test you can do before seeing the specialists.
There is a pressure switch which causes the A/C to switch off when refrigerant (pressure) is low. It is on top of the dryer bottle. Passenger side (UK!) front corner next to the ABS pump. If you bridge the switch (ignition ON) the clutch of the A/C compressor should be activated (klicking noise). If not there might be only a relay or wiring problem. This is a test you can do before seeing the specialists.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: London, UK
W124
I'm no expert but here's some ramblings...
I think you must have one with last of the older type systems, in which case you may have a fluid level inspection window next to the fluid reservoir. If you have, you can check the level by removing the wiring plug from the pressure switch with the engine off. Switch on the engine with the air-con switched on then re-connect the plug. The level in the window should rise past the window and soon become bubble free. If just rises a little bit then it needs re-gassing. If nothing happens then, like Bamberger says, shorting the plug will test if the compressor is working. However, the compressor will be damaged if you run it with no gas.
Personally I'd look in the yellow pages for an automotive air-con specialist and get it re-gassed. If there's a leak they'll find it with UV dye or a sniffer.
I think you must have one with last of the older type systems, in which case you may have a fluid level inspection window next to the fluid reservoir. If you have, you can check the level by removing the wiring plug from the pressure switch with the engine off. Switch on the engine with the air-con switched on then re-connect the plug. The level in the window should rise past the window and soon become bubble free. If just rises a little bit then it needs re-gassing. If nothing happens then, like Bamberger says, shorting the plug will test if the compressor is working. However, the compressor will be damaged if you run it with no gas.
Personally I'd look in the yellow pages for an automotive air-con specialist and get it re-gassed. If there's a leak they'll find it with UV dye or a sniffer.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: WIDNES , UK
E320 93
thanks bamberger and cap'n jasper for your great input.
i havent had time to check out what you both have said just yet cos its too dark outside but will report back when i have had a good look.
this site has impressed me with the level of knowledge people have and the enthusiasm of the members.
thanks guys seeya later.
i havent had time to check out what you both have said just yet cos its too dark outside but will report back when i have had a good look.
this site has impressed me with the level of knowledge people have and the enthusiasm of the members.
thanks guys seeya later.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
