GLS Class (X166) Produced from 2016 to 2019

AC only Hot Air 2017 GLS

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Old Jul 5, 2024 | 02:28 PM
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AC only Hot Air 2017 GLS

2017 GLS 450 96k.

The AC stopped working all of a sudden took it to a couple of shops the refrigerant is perfect and the compressor does kick in but the car constantly blows hot air. All events below the same amount of temperature so I'm wondering if it's not the freon not the compressor how do I check to see if the control unit is operating? All the buttons are lighting up as they should be the defrost kicks in and the vents blow up against the windshield the max button initiates the blower at full speed but no cool air. Has anyone experienced this issue?
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Old Jul 5, 2024 | 05:01 PM
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'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
Find where the AC lines go through the firewall or into the ventilation system and see if they are getting cold. If they are, the problem is in the control or the motors that operate the vent dampers. If not then it's related to the refrigeration system. Did the shop that blessed the refrigerant as "perfect" check the operating pressures? If they are "perfect" too then it's likely you're getting air from (only) the heater instead. Did you try setting everything to maximum cool?
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Old Jul 5, 2024 | 07:12 PM
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That's genius... but which line is that?



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Old Jul 6, 2024 | 09:35 AM
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
That one should be cool if not cold when the AC is running. It says "Suction" which men it's the return line from the evaporator (cold) to the compressor. It also has the low pressure test fitting on it.
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Old Jul 6, 2024 | 10:25 AM
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OK then that line is warm when AC is running.
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Old Jul 6, 2024 | 07:14 PM
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From: New Hampsha
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You need to know what the pressures are.
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Old Jul 6, 2024 | 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by John CC
You need to know what the pressures are.
Ill ask. So if its low what does that mean? And if it's high what would that mean?

thanks
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Old Jul 7, 2024 | 03:35 PM
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It's complicated. There are two pressures, "low side" and "high side". They are both important. here's an over simplification:

If both are low it's under charged. If both high it's over charged. Too close to each other and the compressor is probably weak. Too far apart and there's a blockage.
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Old Jul 7, 2024 | 03:56 PM
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This is really helpful. Does the 2017 GLS have issues with the line collapsing?
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Old Jul 7, 2024 | 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by S Naqvi
Does the 2017 GLS have issues with the line collapsing?
What line collapsing? Lines under pressure rarely collapse.
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Old Jul 8, 2024 | 12:09 PM
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2017 GLS 550
Related question. I also have a 2017 GLS 550. Purchased used 3 years ago. Entire time I've owned the vehicle, upon startup the A/C blows hot for 3-4 minutes, and then cold and cools the car fine. Is this normal? How long do others experience before the A/C blows cold? If not normal, things to check?

Thanks, Dave.
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Old Jul 8, 2024 | 07:29 PM
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From: New Hampsha
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Sounds similar to ours. Maybe not 4 minutes, but at least 2. Seems longer than usual. My guess is there's a temp sensor on the evaporator and it doesn't route air through there until it's "cold enough".
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Old Jul 9, 2024 | 12:29 AM
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2017 GLS 550
Originally Posted by DaveT.D.
Related question. I also have a 2017 GLS 550. Purchased used 3 years ago. Entire time I've owned the vehicle, upon startup the A/C blows hot for 3-4 minutes, and then cold and cools the car fine. Is this normal? How long do others experience before the A/C blows cold? If not normal, things to check?

Thanks, Dave.
Have you had freon levels checked? Sounds like it's low.
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Old Jul 10, 2024 | 09:00 AM
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So, I finally took it to the dealership. They are telling me the compressor has to be replaced. I haven't gotten a quote yet but any ideas what repair range should be for this?
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Old Jul 10, 2024 | 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by S Naqvi
So, I finally took it to the dealership. They are telling me the compressor has to be replaced.
Why people take 10yr old European cars to the dealership and pay their incredible prices is beyond me. A dealership wants to fix problems by replacing all the old parts with new parts. An independent shop wants to diagnose and resolve problems so they don’t have frustrated customers.

Dealership - $3500
Independent shop - $1800
DIY - $600 + AC recharge
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Old Jul 10, 2024 | 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Diamond Dave
Why people take 10yr old European cars to the dealership and pay their incredible prices is beyond me. A dealership wants to fix problems by replacing all the old parts with new parts. An independent shop wants to diagnose and resolve problems so they don’t have frustrated customers.

Dealership - $3500
Independent shop - $1800
DIY - $600 + AC recharge
If the compressor is busted, would you also change the dryer too?
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Old Jul 10, 2024 | 04:10 PM
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From: New Hampsha
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It's never a bad idea to change the dryer any time the system is opened. If the system has been opened or out of Freon for any length of time then replacing it is a must.
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Old Jul 10, 2024 | 04:13 PM
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15​​​​00 for compressor and with drier its 2200.
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Old Jul 10, 2024 | 04:19 PM
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I can't think of a reason it would be more than $200 extra. The part is about $165. (Compressor is around $1000 for the part.)

Try somewhere other than the dealer!
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Old Jul 11, 2024 | 01:38 PM
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you can get a full kit with a Remanned compressor, dryer, all the o-rings and new expansion valve for less than $300 on Ebay. replace everything yourself, drive it to an A/C shop tell them it is all new with no oil, have them vacuum it down, add oil and refrigerant... and you are golden!

or from FCP new Genuine Mercedes Compressor just under $1k, expansion valve is $61, and I can't find a drier on FCP so you will have source that elsewhere.
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Old Aug 7, 2025 | 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by thtguy
you can get a full kit with a Remanned compressor, dryer, all the o-rings and new expansion valve for less than $300 on Ebay. replace everything yourself, drive it to an A/C shop tell them it is all new with no oil, have them vacuum it down, add oil and refrigerant... and you are golden!

or from FCP new Genuine Mercedes Compressor just under $1k, expansion valve is $61, and I can't find a drier on FCP so you will have source that elsewhere.
@thtguy

I also have a 2017 GLS 450 that is not blowing cool air. I am almost at the point of buying the parts. I have 2 questions:

1. How do I determine if my compressor has an Electronic Control Valve or a Clutch? If I recall correctly, when I turn off the AC using the dash buttons, I can tell that the compressor is quieter, which I think might mean it has a clutch. It is hard to see and has dirt/oil on it, which also makes it more difficult.

2. When I look at sites like MBoemparts.com I see several compressors listed. How do I know which one to purchase? I did enter my VIN. Most if not all of the compressors available are reman. here is the link...
Refrigerant Compressor for 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 | MB OEM Parts

Thanks!!
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