DIY: Installing a new Changeover/Heater Control Valve

Heater is working great again, love this car.
No heat through climate control at any setting. It was fine one day, next day, nada.

Of course it was during a cold snap when I really wanted heat. Saw the DIY for this common issue and figured the cheap part was a good place to start.
Worked like a charm.
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https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/585066-rear-vents-blowing-very-hot-air-when-c-already-replaced-heater-controlvalve.html
My 11/04 E55 had no heat so I just went through the hell of replacing this in a RHD car and I now have a working heater!
Last edited by ben73; May 9, 2017 at 02:24 AM.
When I pulled the elbow off the front facing port, I noticed the end of the tubing was corroded and a part of it was stuck in the old valve... wondering if anyone has replaced just the elbow of the tube and what part number it is?
It seems like the pictures come and go.
If someone has all the pictures, please create a PDF file with the instructions included and updated if possible.
It probably takes less time changing it than reading 12 pages on this post.
My unit started failing when I couldn't get cold air unless I put the temp to the coldest. This is during summer this year. Then when weather got cold recently I stop getting the heat and it just blows cold air. How ironic right? Anyway, I finally did this over the weekend. When I finally installed it, before putting everything back in place, I tested my heat by letting it sit at idle while engine is running. But still no hot air comes out. I read this whole thread and found that some folks got heat after driving it around. Thats what I did and then it happened... the heat goes on! Whew I was afraid it could be another issue. Thank God I got my heat back just in time because today starts to get cold here in the north east. My advice to add is sometimes the wiper gets super stuck just like my driver side wiper. And I tried prying it out but no luck. I found out in 'pelican parts' website they used a battery terminal puller to pull out the wiper from the wiper linkage. I didn't get to do that so I worked while the driver side wiper are still intact. Its a pain so just take time to remove the wiper assembly for easy install. Cheers!
Appreciate any tips, description, photo and/or diagram.
Searched entire web to no avail.
Regards
Some coolant spilled when I removed the engine side coupler, but very minimal. One word of caution to all is that make sure to do this on a cool engine. The coolant was still a bit warm, any hotter would had been a scalding burn!
It was quick and painless, other than having to rest halfway over the engine from either side you pick to carry it out.
I've done mine on a RHD car. It's much more difficult that a LHD car. You'll lose more skin from your knuckles, but it's essentially the same process as described above.
The key is to understand the orientation of the valve and hoses and connect most of them before you drop it down into the cavity. If you get it wrong, the hoses will kink.
So here I go, on with another DIY.
Tools required:
Flatnose screwdriver
Needle nose pliers
An extended angle needle nose pliers
Ratchet
13MM socket
T25 Torx wrench or screwdriver
Wire coat hanger
Parts needed:
New changeover valve (part #A211 832 05 84). This is probably a revised valve w/ a new design since my faulty valve has the part #A211 832 00 84.
Here is what the changeover valve looks like. (old valve unit)
Attachment 384997
Attachment 384998
1st, remove the outer weather-stripping
Attachment 384999
2nd, you’ll need to remove both wiper arm assembly with a ratchet and a 13mm socket. Here are the 3 nuts you’ll need to remove.
Attachment 385000
Attachment 385001
Next remove this module on the driver’s side. I’m not sure what it exactly does, but you’ll need to unscrew it from the plastic trim panel. Using the T25 Torx screwdriver or wrench, remove the 3 screws and set the module aside. You don’t even need to disconnect it.

Now you’ll need to remove plastic trim panel that sits at the bottom of the windshield. It is secured down with 4 plastic clips. (they look like philip plastic screws). To remove these clips you gently slide a thin flathead screwdriver under the head of the clip and pry it up high enough so that you could use the needle nose pliers to pull on the shaft. Do not remove the shaft, just pull it out ¼ of an inch or less then remove the clip.
Location of plastic clips
Attachment 385002


Prying the shaft
Attachment 385003
Shaft extended out
Attachment 385004
Clip finally removed
Attachment 385005
At the bottom of the plastic trim panel is a big rubber hose that you’ll need to disconnect. On the passenger side, you’ll need to unhook the 2 electrical wires from the hanger. Now you could remove the plastic trim panel.
When you remove the plastic trim, you’ll see more wiper arm linkages as seen in the pic.
Attachment 385006
The changeover valve is covered with this thin foam padding. Just unfold it and tuck it under the wiper linkages. Next, you’ll need to reposition the linkages so you that you could access the valve. Gently push on the linkages until you have enough room. Now you’ll see the changover valve nested on the driver’s side firewall. If you have big hands like myself, you’ll be in a world of hate because it’s a tight squeeze!!
Attachment 385007
The valve has a total of 4 openings, 3 of which have a built in clip/lock and there is one socket for an electrical connector. In order to install or remove the tube/hose, you’ll need to unlock these locks by pulling on the clip outward.
Clips in locked position
Attachment 385008
Clips in unlocked position
Attachment 385009
Since the valve is located in an extremely tight area, this is where a wire coat hanger will come in handy. Cut up a hanger then at the end, make a small hook. You’ll use this to unlock the clips. One of the locking clips is accessible between the engine and partition.
Coat hanger
Attachment 385010
Unlock clip with coat hanger
Attachment 385011
Hose removed: (small amount of coolant will leak out)
Attachment 385012
The 4th opening is connected to a hose that has a clamp. Use your angled needle nose pliers to remove this clamp and hose, then disconnect the electrical connector. The 2 locking clips are up against the firewall. From the driver’s side, use your coat hanger again to unlock the top clip. Now from the passenger’s side, use your coat hanger to unlock the bottom clip.
Attachment 385013
Now with everything disconnected, remove the valve body unit and install the new one in reverse order. Make sure you lock them clips! Reposition the wiper linkages back to their normal state and flip the foam padding back over the valve. Reinstall plastic trim, electronic module, weather-stripping and wiper arms. Now enjoy your a/c!








