john doe iii

I'm not sure if you remember my previous post regarding my on going AC SHUTDOWN ISSUE I have .... Well, here it goes again: During hot days here in S.California, my AC will shut down by itself or will not start at all. I would push the "auto" button or manually adjust it and all the lights will go on but nothing blows out of the vents.... I have changed the different settings and still nothing.

1st visit to dealership.... the found some kind of fault and replaced it. (that didnt work)

2nd visit - they changed a sensor (that didnt work)

3rd visit - they changed the blower (that didnt work)

Now this is my 4th visit... I have spoken with MBUSA and got me in touch with the Service Manager at my dealership and was expecting me.... as I was in the drive up bay, the manager had a tech come out and try to recreate the issue again... he had the tech do a test drive withe me.... while during the test drive, the tech told me that he has had this issue with other 03 e class owners and they are aware they CANNOT fix it... they have done everything they can and are fully aware they have no idea how to fix this issue.... so the technician admitted the issue and admits they dont have a fix?????/ WTF//// What should I do at this point? Its becoming ridiculous when I have to roll my windown down just to get some damn air.

Miguk_Saram

I think you're already on the right track.

Give MBUSA another call and tell them what you just wrote here.. I'm sure they'll find a solution (even it means replacing your entire HVAC system).


GL.

Brian_I.

Wow, I am amazed because I am having this EXACT same issue. It has happened three times now since Sunday. And you are right, it happens when the weather is warm and I start the car and the fan goes on full blast. It will stay on for about ten seconds or so and then just shut off completely but with the Auto light still on. Anything I press will not turn it back on. What dealership serviced your car? I wonder what my SA will do about it. I am going to call him today.

john doe iii

Fletcher Jones in Newport Beach.....

The tech knows of the issue and they have no idea how to fix it.

konigstiger

Who did you speak with at MBUSA, not specific name but title? I’m interested as to how MBUSA responds (responded) given that both a ’03 and ’05 with such a long production span in between are experiencing the very same problem. Furthermore, they all are aware and, to date, there isn’t a fix?

Brian_I.

I have an appointment on Tuesday next week. We'll see what happens.

Barry45RPM

Have you had the battery control module & alternator/regulator recalls done? After they were done on my car, there were no more "max Cool" blower shutdowns. P.S. If it happens, turning the A/C system off while you continue to drive for about 2 minutes. When you restart it by presssing "AUTO". It will run properly.

konigstiger

You know it was on the tip of tongue to mention this. The recall was initiated because the Battery Control Module (BCM) erroneously evaluates the battery charge level as good when the actual charge level may be insufficient. This would result in certain “electrical consumers” (i.e.: A/C) to shut down without warning. Makes sense.

Service Campaign 2005060008 AUG05 – Programming Battery Control Module

Brian_I.

Thanks for posting that bulletin. I just dropped my car off today and I do fall into that recall. I will let you know what happens with the A/c.

john doe iii

I got back from the dealership and they were able to recreate the problem... they have opened up a case with MBUSA and said it may be about a month before anything??????

Brian_I.

Would you mind sending me your Service Advisor's name and info? Maybe my SA will call your SA and see what they can come up with.

Brian_I.

Got my car back last night. They changed the blower and also performed the recall work. They claim that should fix it but since it's one of those problems that only comes up under certain circumstances we'll have to wait and see.

Flash Gordon

The lemon law, I think started in your state, gives you the option of exchanging the car after the dealer has unsuccesfully attempted to solve the same problem THREE times. Tell them you want a new car. I am serious!

SAguirre

Watch out about the fine print in the Lemon Law, I believe that the flaw has to render your car NON-FUCTIONAL. Accesories like A/C might NOT be covered. If youy threaten the dealer like that they might laugh at you for assuming the law covers you.

Steve

mahmoodp

I have had the same thing going on for months. I have been to my dealer 4 times as well, and they have changed the blower twice, and the regulator twice - most recent repair was done this past Tuesday.

My dealership is WI Simonson in Santa Monica, CA and I have not been very impressed with them to-date.

Overally, I'm hoping this A/C issue doesn't happen again, but this thread doesn't give me much hope. I think I will be calling MBUSA and open a case.

This is ridiculous that an expensive car have a such an irritating problem.

Barry45RPM

I found in my car that the only time the blowers MIGHT quit is during the 1st 10 seconds that the blower fan began running at MAX. (Max cool or on Defrost) So its not as random as it appeared to you. In the winter time here the fan does not immediately go to Max, it ramps up slowly, so it quit less often on startup. In winter it would quit almost immediately when I pushed "DEF", and it automatically went into Max. In the summer, the fans go to MAX allmost immediately after starting the car, so the fan was quitting more often... (They don't quit at less than MAX)

Since the Battery/Alternator recalls were done there has never been a reoccurance. Lock your system on MAX fan for a few days & see if it quits. If it doesn't you're fixed.

mahmoodp

In the table above, where do I locate my exact model number - is this in the driver's door sill?

Thanks.

konigstiger

As a matter of reference:

211 = E
006
016
026 = 320 CDI
042
056
061
065 = 320
070 = 500
076 = 55 AMG
082 = 320 4MATIC
083 = 500 4MATIC
087
206
216
226
242
256
261
265 = 320 WAGON
270 = 500 WAGON
276 = 55 AMG WAGON
282 = 320 4MATIC WAGON
283 = 500 4MATIC WAGON
287

219 = CLS
375 = 500
376 = 55 AMG

Brian_I.

Problems back. Calling my SA in the mornin'.

john doe iii

It happened to me again as well.... last night I was busy wiping my 50k car witha t-shirt to remove the damn dew from the windows because my blower didnt work...... I contacted these people and gave me a free evaluation.... Im going to fax them some docs today and will advise me on what to do if anything at all....

http://www.californialemonlawattorneys.com/

Ask for a guy name James, 800/225-3666

mahmoodp

I called the MB CAC and opened a case up about this. The lady I spoke to asked me where I heard the term 'case' and I told her it was from the website. She seemed a bit dismayed that I requested a case being opened. I informed her that I was tired and frustrated about the problem and that they need to have it fixed. They're going to review my entire car history. If they don't fix this on the next attempt, I'm going to escalate this with a lawyer. I'll also show up each week at my dealer until they get the message they need to fix this.

I have another problem with my seats being loose - anyone had this happen to them (probably a topic for another thread).

Brian_I.

Okay, car is back in today. My SA told me it will go straight to a supervisor or whatever since it is a reoccurring issue. We'll see how Downtown LA Motors handles it. I sure hope I'm not going to be stuck driving this C230k around all weekend.

john doe iii

I was frustrated with this entire A/C issue.... two days ago, I drove with a few workers to lunch and the stupid blower stopped on me again.... that is what finally did it for me.. MBUSA has not called me like they said they would... No regional rep called... Nobody from the dealership called.... so I went to the extreme and emailed the CEO at MBUSA Mr. Halata and received this return message.

Mr. XXXX,

Thank you for your recent email to Paul Halata. After reviewing your comments, we have been asked to respond on his behalf.

Arrangements have been made for your concerns to be reviewed on a local level; you may expect further contact shortly, if not already.

Sincerely,
XXXX XXXXXXX
Customer Relations Liaison
Mercedes Benz USA, LLC

Brian_I.

Can you give me the exact address that you contacted Halata at because I will do the same. I just got a call back from my SA and after two shop supervisors looked at it they could not recreate the problem so they are giving up.

Now they make me feel like I'm just imagining the whole thing. What a load of B.S. Next time this happens I am going to video tape it with my cell phone and then burn it onto a DVD and send to everyone at the dealership so they know I'm not just making it up.

fubar

I experienced this same issue and it was resolved with the blower replacement. I have not had a recurance.

I do like the recording idea. I took photos to get my Sirius radio issues resolved... but shoulda thot about the camcorder on my phone. Just too damn much technology.

Good luck

fubar