E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

A/C Control Unit change

Old Jul 8, 2007 | 07:02 AM
  #1  
Piranajoe's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Nassau, Bahamas
2003 E500
A/C Control Unit change

Can a Air/Con control unit be changed from the standard manual control in a 2003 E320 to the electronic control as attached?
Would it be plug/play or would it give errors since the rear of the car does not have seperate controls as E500?


http://cgi.ebay.de/Mercedes-W211-Kli...QQcmdZViewItem

Last edited by Piranajoe; Apr 22, 2008 at 09:39 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2007 | 10:54 AM
  #2  
shtsai's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Taiwan
2003 W211 E240
It just plug/play , I just changed mine recently with no problem
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2007 | 01:06 PM
  #3  
Diesel Benz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,498
Likes: 335
From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Originally Posted by shtsai
It just plug/play , I just changed mine recently with no problem
Strange, the 4-zone one is even using a different number of sensors. Perhaps it can automatically adapt to the absence of one, or would the intelligence lie elsewhere?
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2007 | 01:32 PM
  #4  
Piranajoe's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Nassau, Bahamas
2003 E500
Originally Posted by Diesel Benz
Strange, the 4-zone one is even using a different number of sensors. Perhaps it can automatically adapt to the absence of one, or would the intelligence lie elsewhere?

I would have thought the harness connectore may not have been the same with the different zones.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2007 | 10:27 AM
  #5  
shtsai's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Taiwan
2003 W211 E240
The harness connecter is the same. just plug & play
my original two zone unit A211 830 00 85
I changed to A211 830 17 90 4 zone unit
it works perfect

Last edited by shtsai; Jul 10, 2007 at 10:36 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2007 | 12:43 PM
  #6  
Heejin's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
'06 Porsche 997 Black Sport Exhaust, '06 Mercedes E350 4MATIC Iridium Silver Apper+Prem Package
Could anybody please explain how to remove the control unit? I got the part for my E350, but I am not sure how to remove the control unit.

Is it very difficult? Should I bring it to the dealership? Your help would be very much appreciated.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2007 | 03:41 PM
  #7  
alfcruiser's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
MY12 W212 E350
Looks like you just need to :

1. remove the wood trim
2. remove center speaker grill
3. remove speaker
4. remove center vent assembly

take a look at attached pdf.

-alf
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
centervent.pdf (164.2 KB, 2143 views)
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2007 | 04:23 PM
  #8  
kevmac's Avatar
Almost a Member!
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, FL
'08 E350 Sport, '03 Lexus GX470
Originally Posted by shtsai
it works perfect
So what happens when you press the "rear temp" button (3rd button from the bottom left)? Plug-and-play is convenient, but I'd rather have dials than non-functional buttons.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 11, 2007 | 11:57 PM
  #9  
Heejin's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
'06 Porsche 997 Black Sport Exhaust, '06 Mercedes E350 4MATIC Iridium Silver Apper+Prem Package
Originally Posted by alfcruiser
Looks like you just need to :

1. remove the wood trim
2. remove center speaker grill
3. remove speaker
4. remove center vent assembly

take a look at attached pdf.

-alf
Great, this is what I was looking for. Thanks for the info.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2007 | 07:09 AM
  #10  
KosherBenz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, MD / Wash. DC
Its big and Grey!
I didnt know this would work. I heard it wouldn't, but i guess they were wrong.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2007 | 12:36 PM
  #11  
Heejin's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
'06 Porsche 997 Black Sport Exhaust, '06 Mercedes E350 4MATIC Iridium Silver Apper+Prem Package
Originally Posted by KosherBenz
I didnt know this would work. I heard it wouldn't, but i guess they were wrong.
I wouldn't say they were 100% wrong because some of the function doesn't work. However, I am pretty happy with it Here are some more detail.

- My wife's car is '06 E350 4Matic
- Part # of original analogue control is 211 830 1885
- Part # of digital control is 211 830 1790
- Cost of the part was around $180 including shipping from Germany

Pros
- Nice LCD Display
- Shows air speed in "AUTO" mode which I find it quite convenient
- It adds Celsius which I am more familiar with


Cons
- Air flow direction control does not work
- "REST" button is dummy
- "Rear Air Flow" doesn't do anything

I wanted to get the part for the '07 W211 which is also digital from the dealership. However, I decided to go with this one instead since they quoted me $700 for that part. Anyway, I hope this helps if you are interested in this mod
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2007 | 01:06 PM
  #12  
KosherBenz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, MD / Wash. DC
Its big and Grey!
can you explain this more
"- Air flow direction control does not work"

tks!
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2007 | 01:16 PM
  #13  
Heejin's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
'06 Porsche 997 Black Sport Exhaust, '06 Mercedes E350 4MATIC Iridium Silver Apper+Prem Package
Originally Posted by KosherBenz
can you explain this more
"- Air flow direction control does not work"

tks!
It looks the term the mercedes uses is "airflow distribution" control. It controls where the air comes out.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2007 | 02:12 PM
  #14  
MARK CUMMINS's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Originally Posted by Piranajoe
Can a Air/Con control unit be changed from the standard manual control in a 2003 E320 to the electronic control as attached?
Would it be plug/play or would it give errors since the rear of the car does not have seperate controls as E500?


http://cgi.ebay.de/Mercedes-W211-Kli...QQcmdZViewItem
The Early W211s MUST be version coded from the SDS aka Star to Work..Otherwise plug and play

Also On my 2006 W211 we tried to swap it out and it Did NOT work... Without a version code change to make it work

Glad to hear that Some W211s will work without a Version code program change....
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2007 | 02:41 PM
  #15  
Heejin's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
'06 Porsche 997 Black Sport Exhaust, '06 Mercedes E350 4MATIC Iridium Silver Apper+Prem Package
Originally Posted by MARK CUMMINS
The Early W211s MUST be version coded from the SDS aka Star to Work..Otherwise plug and play

Also On my 2006 W211 we tried to swap it out and it Did NOT work... Without a version code change to make it work

Glad to hear that Some W211s will work without a Version code program change....
Mark, did you have the problem with "airflow distribution" control or all the functions of control unit? I am curious if "airflow distribution" control could be enabled via SDS programming.

Thanks in advance!
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2007 | 11:59 AM
  #16  
Heejin's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
'06 Porsche 997 Black Sport Exhaust, '06 Mercedes E350 4MATIC Iridium Silver Apper+Prem Package
Here is the little bit of update. It turns out that "Airflow Distribution" control does work. I was confused since Knob on the left(driver side) controls both side and knob on the right doesn't do anything. I guess this makes sense since there is only one "Airflow Distribution" control on the analogue one.

Here is the updated list

Pros
- Nice LCD Display
- Shows air speed in "AUTO" mode which I find it quite convenient
- It adds Celsius which I am more familiar with


Cons
- Passenger side "Airflow Distribution" control doesn't do anything
- "REST" button is dummy
- "Rear Temp" control doesn't do anything
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2007 | 12:43 PM
  #17  
KosherBenz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, MD / Wash. DC
Its big and Grey!
so its only one zone then? no seprte control for the pass side?
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2007 | 01:18 PM
  #18  
Heejin's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
'06 Porsche 997 Black Sport Exhaust, '06 Mercedes E350 4MATIC Iridium Silver Apper+Prem Package
Originally Posted by KosherBenz
so its only one zone then? no seprte control for the pass side?
It's dual zone since you will have separate temperature controls.

The bottom line is that you keep all the functions of analogue control with nice LCD. And of course, you can set the temperature to Celsius
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2007 | 05:23 PM
  #19  
Kallekå's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Norway
Electronic Air/AC control unit

Hi
I did the change to the electronic control unit. After the install, i discovered that when i push the auto button, the light in the AC button also turns on. It was not like this with the manual control unit.
Anyone?
Otherweis it works flawlessly.


Kallekå
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2007 | 02:08 AM
  #20  
Heejin's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
'06 Porsche 997 Black Sport Exhaust, '06 Mercedes E350 4MATIC Iridium Silver Apper+Prem Package
Originally Posted by Kallekå
Hi
I did the change to the electronic control unit. After the install, i discovered that when i push the auto button, the light in the AC button also turns on. It was not like this with the manual control unit.
Anyone?
Otherweis it works flawlessly.


Kallekå
If I remember correctly, the LED on the AC button was on when I pushed the "AUTO" button on the analogue control unit.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2007 | 02:39 AM
  #21  
Heejin's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
'06 Porsche 997 Black Sport Exhaust, '06 Mercedes E350 4MATIC Iridium Silver Apper+Prem Package
It looks like the seller I bought mine from is selling the newer unit of which part # is 211 830 1890. It has the "Max Cool" button instead of "REST".

What does button do? Does it turn on the A/C max level? Is this what '07 W211 comes with if it has 4-zone control? I am curious if this would work on mine
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2007 | 05:37 AM
  #22  
Kallekå's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Norway
Thanks. I guess it works as it should then. Like you i also would be interested in the newer unit without the "REST" button. Where did you find the control unit you are buying?


Kallekå
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2007 | 02:20 PM
  #23  
Heejin's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
'06 Porsche 997 Black Sport Exhaust, '06 Mercedes E350 4MATIC Iridium Silver Apper+Prem Package
Originally Posted by Kallekå
Thanks. I guess it works as it should then. Like you i also would be interested in the newer unit without the "REST" button. Where did you find the control unit you are buying?


Kallekå
Search "Mercedes W211 Klimatronic" on the ebay. You should be able to find a couple of sellers from Germany. I bought mine from a seller who has 100% positive feedback. While it took a while to receive the control unit, it was great.
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2014 | 11:25 AM
  #24  
Craftysince86's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 902
Likes: 3
From: Arizona
W211
Originally Posted by Heejin
Here is the little bit of update. It turns out that "Airflow Distribution" control does work. I was confused since Knob on the left(driver side) controls both side and knob on the right doesn't do anything. I guess this makes sense since there is only one "Airflow Distribution" control on the analogue one.

Here is the updated list

Pros
- Nice LCD Display
- Shows air speed in "AUTO" mode which I find it quite convenient
- It adds Celsius which I am more familiar with


Cons
- Passenger side "Airflow Distribution" control doesn't do anything
- "REST" button is dummy
- "Rear Temp" control doesn't do anything
passenger airflow distribution doesn't work meaning we can't direct to the foot wells or the top? if so where is the default set direct the air flow?
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2014 | 04:07 PM
  #25  
Craftysince86's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 902
Likes: 3
From: Arizona
W211
No offense, but the search button was used... Why else would I be posting in a 7yr old thread?

And you did not answer my question, was more of "if the direction is uncontrollable where does the air come out of" part
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:22 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE