---> CALI's hands-on ... STABLE CHASSIS VOLTAGE !!!
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,365
Likes: 6,322
you know... the pass/fail test will be easy:
cold vs. hot.
no thermometer necessary.
Engine off:
1 - You zap the solenoid with specific polarity for 5mn
2 - replug the original connector.
3 - clear fault
4 - idle engine.
Cabin hot/cold?
Repeat zapping but with engine idling to allow easier plate motin.
cold vs. hot.
no thermometer necessary.
Engine off:
1 - You zap the solenoid with specific polarity for 5mn
2 - replug the original connector.
3 - clear fault
4 - idle engine.
Cabin hot/cold?
Repeat zapping but with engine idling to allow easier plate motin.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 6,802
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 6,802
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
COMPRESSOR SOFT-START
is it a Huuuummm...
or
a loud Bang!
5x LRA means business.
big AC motors have huge in-rush surge ... 60Amp for Home A/C
Start/Run Capacitors get tired of being surged and loose uF rating. Measure & replace after ~5Yrs.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; May 9, 2025 at 06:23 PM.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,365
Likes: 6,322
Record a short clip when home compressor starts up:
is it a Huuuummm...
or
a loud Bang!
5x LRA means business.
big AC motors have huge in-rush surge ... 60Amp for Home A/C
Start/Run Capacitors get tired of being surged and loose uF rating. Measure & replace after ~5Yrs.
is it a Huuuummm...
or
a loud Bang!
5x LRA means business.
big AC motors have huge in-rush surge ... 60Amp for Home A/C
Start/Run Capacitors get tired of being surged and loose uF rating. Measure & replace after ~5Yrs.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,365
Likes: 6,322
Today was 20-27C, turns out my A/C is not completely dead, I am definitely getting cold air but only starting from driver side vent and only after 10 minutes, it takes 30 minutes for passenger side to get a/c, fair to say I am low on refrigerant. Vehicle at operating temperature, engine oil at 97-103c range. I am still visiting a shop on Wednesday as suggested but I need to find a reputable one first. Thank you all 3 for the assistance!
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 6,802
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
DO'S AND DON'T
Today was 20-27C, turns out my A/C is not completely dead, I am definitely getting cold air but only starting from driver side vent and only after 10 minutes, it takes 30 minutes for passenger side to get a/c, fair to say I am low on refrigerant. Vehicle at operating temperature, engine oil at 97-103c range. I am still visiting a shop on Wednesday as suggested but I need to find a reputable one first. Thank you all 3 for the assistance!
Do tell them your compressor shows 100Psi charge.
Then mention variable compressor has a questionable proportional valve.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; May 12, 2025 at 06:08 PM.
MBWorld God!
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Posts: 32,365
Likes: 6,322
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Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 6,802
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
COOL SUMMER SHORTCUT
Ask
@JCM_MB
who is the A/C valve expert.
The issue is they get stuck and disable perfectly good compressor.
No need to blow $2000 on this repair, courtesy of JC's research.
@JCM_MB
who is the A/C valve expert.
The issue is they get stuck and disable perfectly good compressor.
No need to blow $2000 on this repair, courtesy of JC's research.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; May 12, 2025 at 06:15 PM.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,365
Likes: 6,322
Ask
@JCM_MB
who is the A/C valve expert.
The issue is they get stuck and disable perfectly good compressor.
No need to blow $2000 on this repair, courtesy of JC's research.
@JCM_MB
who is the A/C valve expert.
The issue is they get stuck and disable perfectly good compressor.
No need to blow $2000 on this repair, courtesy of JC's research.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,365
Likes: 6,322
Ask
@JCM_MB
who is the A/C valve expert.
The issue is they get stuck and disable perfectly good compressor.
No need to blow $2000 on this repair, courtesy of JC's research.
@JCM_MB
who is the A/C valve expert.
The issue is they get stuck and disable perfectly good compressor.
No need to blow $2000 on this repair, courtesy of JC's research.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,365
Likes: 6,322
Is it this one, my vehicle is not exhibiting the symptoms described though: https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...lutch-air.html
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 6,802
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
Is it this one, my vehicle is not exhibiting the symptoms described though: https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...lutch-air.html
Hopefully your compressor model is compatible🤞
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; May 12, 2025 at 08:35 PM.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,365
Likes: 6,322
Okie Dokie so an update. was intended to go to a shop tomorrow so Wednesday but I had something to do today and I figured since I needed to go out anyways might as well stop at a shop. So here I am. Turns out the vehicle was very low on refrigerant (I guess we expected that), likely a leak as also expected. I did not ask them to use leak dye filled refrigerant since I really have to get it done quickly at that time. Compressor checked ok, the hissing noise is completely gone or minute to the point I can't hear it anymore at all fan speeds.
I am pretty happy... for now.
Will monitor.
again... Much much appreciate everyone who helped me!
I am pretty happy... for now.
Will monitor.
again... Much much appreciate everyone who helped me!
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,365
Likes: 6,322
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,365
Likes: 6,322
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 6,802
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
COOOOL A/C AGAIN
Okie Dokie so an update. was intended to go to a shop tomorrow so Wednesday but I had something to do today and I figured since I needed to go out anyways might as well stop at a shop. So here I am. Turns out the vehicle was very low on refrigerant (I guess we expected that), likely a leak as also expected. I did not ask them to use leak dye filled refrigerant since I really have to get it done quickly at that time. Compressor checked ok, the hissing noise is completely gone or minute to the point I can't hear it anymore at all fan speeds.
I am pretty happy... for now.
Will monitor.
again... Much much appreciate everyone who helped me!
I am pretty happy... for now.
Will monitor.
again... Much much appreciate everyone who helped me!
Now get on finding your leak:
Condenser pin leak ?
Compressor shaft seal ?
Service ports Hi/Lo side?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6,609
Likes: 6,561
From: Jakarta-Indonesia
2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
R134A RECOVERED .......... Dang 0.17 lb is 77 grams only. You have a leak guaranteed.
Oil accidental sucked out 01. oz is 2.8 grams, no worry.
Now use fan speed of 3 bar/level, front vent only open. 18C temperature setting , recyled air setting and smell your vent.
If leak at EVAP by way of mini corossion hole, you can smelll it.
If leak at o-ring of EVAP, 2 pcs, you need to use this damn good bubble tracer, but open your windshield cowling.
BIG BLUE
Spray around here and watch.
At ACcompressor, IN and OUT pipe-hose. Also has o-ring. This is the hottest region of the HVAC. Subaru often failed its o-ring here.
At IHX mini internal exchanger interface.
At condenser IN and OUT connection and the refrigerant pressure sensor, its rather challenging, but at condenser fins and tubes, you best inspect and spray.
.
If leaky condenser and is at opposite hidden side ( towards engine ) , not easy to see itsR134A leak out bubble.
Usually front side ( bumper side ) is the one getting stone chipped and leak.
Happy leak hunting...........
Last edited by S-Prihadi; May 14, 2025 at 03:24 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6,609
Likes: 6,561
From: Jakarta-Indonesia
2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
RRR machine weight scale is inside the RRR, meausuring total weight of the special gas bottle they use.
The gas bottle mix old and new R134A and including air or illegal refrigerant if the RRR has no refrigerant sensor-identifier.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,496
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
We really should have started a new thread about A/C problems. Some good stuff here. Too bad we can't migrate individual postings to a new thread. (Or can we?)
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,365
Likes: 6,322
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,365
Likes: 6,322
R134A RECOVERED .......... Dang 0.17 lb is 77 grams only. You have a leak guaranteed.
Oil accidental sucked out 01. oz is 2.8 grams, no worry.
Now use fan speed of 3 bar/level, front vent only open. 18C temperature setting , recyled air setting and smell your vent.
If leak at EVAP by way of mini corossion hole, you can smelll it.
If leak at o-ring of EVAP, 2 pcs, you need to use this damn good bubble tracer, but open your windshield cowling.
BIG BLUE
https://www.amazon.com/Refrigeration...91&sr=8-4&th=1
Spray around here and watch.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...e3ff0e492b.jpg
At ACcompressor, IN and OUT pipe-hose. Also has o-ring. This is the hottest region of the HVAC. Subaru often failed its o-ring here.
At IHX mini internal exchanger interface.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...9e83cc0bbc.jpg
At condenser IN and OUT connection and the refrigerant pressure sensor, its rather challenging, but at condenser fins and tubes, you best inspect and spray.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...94eaa1a638.jpg
.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...5ef132a4f5.jpg
If leaky condenser and is at opposite hidden side ( towards engine ) , not easy to see itsR134A leak out bubble.
Usually front side ( bumper side ) is the one getting stone chipped and leak.
Happy leak hunting...........
Oil accidental sucked out 01. oz is 2.8 grams, no worry.
Now use fan speed of 3 bar/level, front vent only open. 18C temperature setting , recyled air setting and smell your vent.
If leak at EVAP by way of mini corossion hole, you can smelll it.
If leak at o-ring of EVAP, 2 pcs, you need to use this damn good bubble tracer, but open your windshield cowling.
BIG BLUE
https://www.amazon.com/Refrigeration...91&sr=8-4&th=1
Spray around here and watch.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...e3ff0e492b.jpg
At ACcompressor, IN and OUT pipe-hose. Also has o-ring. This is the hottest region of the HVAC. Subaru often failed its o-ring here.
At IHX mini internal exchanger interface.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...9e83cc0bbc.jpg
At condenser IN and OUT connection and the refrigerant pressure sensor, its rather challenging, but at condenser fins and tubes, you best inspect and spray.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...94eaa1a638.jpg
.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...5ef132a4f5.jpg
If leaky condenser and is at opposite hidden side ( towards engine ) , not easy to see itsR134A leak out bubble.
Usually front side ( bumper side ) is the one getting stone chipped and leak.
Happy leak hunting...........
I should check for leaks soon : )
