Smelly/Musty A/C - Need help to correct
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
2005 W211 E500 4matic
Are you sure on that? I don't have a W212 yet, but on several cars I've owned the recirc vent automatically is opened upon turning off the ignition. I know my M45 does the auto recirc, but there's never an indication on the dash when it automatically closes the damper.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
I can verify that the recirc flap will remain closed when car is off on my w212 at least. I've seen it the flap closed when taking off the air box. Also, when I did the lysol procedures outlined here, the climate control would open and close the recirc flap on its own in order to reach the desired temp as quickly as possible. Even when the recirc red indicator was not on, the flap was closed. This is different from my past cars of other brands. With those, the recirc indicator lights up even when the climate control engaged recirc on its own.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
2005 W211 E500 4matic
Yes on the above. I've been wondering why Mercedes don't have the Recirc light turn on every time the climate control auto closes the inlet flap? You hear the air flow changes when it engaged so you know its on Recirc mode but for some reason there is no visual indicator.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
I'd prefer it the way I am use to, but maybe I am not smart enough to figure out why it's better not having the recirc led on whenever the recirc flap is engaged. Maybe the recirc button is only meant for manual mode, not auto.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 470
Likes: 8
From: Southern California, Orange County
2012 E350
My car had a really weird AC smell.. like bad smell before and I took it to the dealer. They did an A/C flush on it and it was fine afterwards. No more smell. But then they charge money for that and I wasn't that much of a car techie to figure out what went wrong..
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 20
Likes: 3
From: Miami, FL
2013 E350 4Matic, 2006 Mustang GT Convertible, 2010 ML350 4Matic (wife)
Thanks for the info all... I've just gotten small hints of a smell so far, so though it was just me....
Any chance there's a "preventative dose" or action - or is the "treatment" described here really it?
Also, do any of you use Battery Tenders (or similar product) to address any drain/strain 1 hour of fan use would have on a discharging battery?
Any chance there's a "preventative dose" or action - or is the "treatment" described here really it?
Also, do any of you use Battery Tenders (or similar product) to address any drain/strain 1 hour of fan use would have on a discharging battery?
