What is in the box?
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From: Chicago
2002 E430 4MATIC
What is in the box?
2002 E430... Before I open it up, can anyone tell me what is inside the plastic box located right near the firewall on the passenger side. It's about 12" square and has the emissions stickers on it. There is a pretty loud noise like a noisy fan bearing coming from it when the car sits in 30deg or less. The noise goes away once the engine starts to warm up.
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
M2/2
control module box Blower motor.Cools the ecu, K40 relay, and other control units.Make sure to unhook the battery before digging around in there.
Thread Starter
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From: Chicago
2002 E430 4MATIC
Thanks Ohlord,
The noise that I earlier thought was coming from the interior temperature sensor fan is actually coming from inside that box. Is that fan readily accessible or do I need to dig for it and disconnect a lot of sensitive electronics.
The noise that I earlier thought was coming from the interior temperature sensor fan is actually coming from inside that box. Is that fan readily accessible or do I need to dig for it and disconnect a lot of sensitive electronics.
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Thread Starter
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From: Chicago
2002 E430 4MATIC
Franasia,
Thanks - great picture. Do you know if the fan is in sight? Is it the long black item to the left? If that's not it, it must be buried under all the other components.
Thanks - great picture. Do you know if the fan is in sight? Is it the long black item to the left? If that's not it, it must be buried under all the other components.
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Member
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: New England
2000 E 320S4 210.282 4Matic Estate
I don't think there's any fan there at all. Are you maybe talking about the AC cabin air blower? ... if so, that's located in the passenger's footwell under the glove box and very easy to access.
Hope it helps.
Cheers
Hope it helps.
Cheers
Thread Starter
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From: Chicago
2002 E430 4MATIC
This noise is unrelated to the cabin fan. Even with blower "off" you can still hear it and it is clearly coming from the "box" under the hood. Quite loud when below 30f but silent above that. Ohlord mentioned that a cooling fan for the electronics is in there so I suspect it would look something like a computer cooling fan.
I'll check again but I'm 99% it's not the cabin fan.
Not to confuse the point though - the cabin fan does make a noise sometimes but it is directly related to the fan speed setting and the sound is clearly coming through the heater ducts. But that is a whole different noise that I'm chasing right now.
I'll check again but I'm 99% it's not the cabin fan.
Not to confuse the point though - the cabin fan does make a noise sometimes but it is directly related to the fan speed setting and the sound is clearly coming through the heater ducts. But that is a whole different noise that I'm chasing right now.
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From: Chicago
2002 E430 4MATIC
Well I opened the box and there is a fan in there. It is mounted to the bottom corner near the firewall and fender. I don't see any easy access to repair/replace except to remove the entire assembly (Box and contents). I'm not up for that kind of work in the middle of a Chicago winter in an unheated garage. Plus, I think I could cause more harm then good.
So, I'm wondering if I can hit the fan with a shot of some kind of lubricant. It's impossible to tell if the noise is coming from an internal part of the fan motor or if it might be from a bearing where the shaft exits the motor housing. You just can see much.
Thoughts about hitting it with a shot of PTFE or such??? The fan is not near any electronics but am I setting myself up for more problems with the fan if I try the quick fix?
So, I'm wondering if I can hit the fan with a shot of some kind of lubricant. It's impossible to tell if the noise is coming from an internal part of the fan motor or if it might be from a bearing where the shaft exits the motor housing. You just can see much.
Thoughts about hitting it with a shot of PTFE or such??? The fan is not near any electronics but am I setting myself up for more problems with the fan if I try the quick fix?
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
I'm hardly the expert here, but I'd be afraid to do that fearing that the fan would spray the PTFE (or whatever you choose) all over the box and electronics. Better wait for some others to comment before doing anything.
Last edited by Musikmann; Dec 7, 2008 at 04:11 PM. Reason: spelling
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From: SoCal
98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
Almost all small instrument fans have sealed for life ball or sleeve bearings. Spraying lubricant will only end up on the outside and be thrown off as MM suggests. The solution is to replace the fan. Check with local adult school auto mechanics programs. They probably let you use a little warm space for the job. If they do bring donuts for everyone.
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Kroil
a shot on the shaft where it goes into the fan motor.1 short shot.The fan picks up fresh air through a vent by the glove box,so you will smell the kroil for a few hours while the carrier evaporates.
It will not harm any of the electronics.The fan comes on with the ignition so make sure the key is out.
It will not harm any of the electronics.The fan comes on with the ignition so make sure the key is out.
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Autozone
most likely does not carry it.Kano labs web site may direct you to a local industrial outlet that does.It will free up anything and drives moisture out of electronics.And quites down noisy bearings.
