W 221 A/C blowing but not cold
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
Did you have a recent Telematiics or other system related software update? If so, it could have corrupted the link from Command to the compressor. Or, switched it to looking for mechanical clutches when they are now electronic. Happened to me a year ago after update; paid $200 for diagnostic and reprogramming. If no updates, obviously something else. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 3
2007 S 65
Did you have a recent Telematiics or other system related software update? If so, it could have corrupted the link from Command to the compressor. Or, switched it to looking for mechanical clutches when they are now electronic. Happened to me a year ago after update; paid $200 for diagnostic and reprogramming. If no updates, obviously something else. Good luck.
If I take it back to the dealer that did the update I wonder if they will just reprogram or will they charge me to "trouble shoot the A/c. Some how I think I know the answer to that one.
Is tyhere anything special I need to mention to them?
Tony
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
Tony, I learned the hard (read money) way. Out of warr., I went to an unknown, but advertised as an "MB specialist" indi. $125 "diagnostic" later, they said compressor shot. MSRP for new one was numbing; went internet and bought new OEM compressor and drier guaranteed to fit. Took whole thing to my trusted indi, he found "perfect match" drier was not gonna fit. He installed (wasn't cheap) the internet compressor, found the correct drier, which was costly and installed it. Still warm air.
Relented and drove 45 miles to MB stealership.
Here's verbatim quote from MB service invoice...."Tested w/ SDS computer. Short test shows fault w/ A/C pressure valve. Checked compressor actuation and coding of controller. Tech reprogrammed A/C controller, as needed and coded for variable clutch on compressor instead of magnetic clutch. Cleared fault codes. Compressor and A/C now operational." The Telematics indeed corrupted the A/C software.
The net is I spent over $900 unnecessarily, imo, for dumb indi diagnostics, new compressor and drier (likely unneeded), + labor and then MB dlr. diagnostics. If I'd had a hint the Telematics update could screw related things up, which I now sadly do, I'd only have had to pay the MB dlr. for the "fault" clearing. All in all, I piddled away at least an extra $700+ fixing something that wasn't broken. The Telematics update simply screwed up the Command "talking correctly" to the compressor.
Welcome to Mercedes.
Relented and drove 45 miles to MB stealership.
Here's verbatim quote from MB service invoice...."Tested w/ SDS computer. Short test shows fault w/ A/C pressure valve. Checked compressor actuation and coding of controller. Tech reprogrammed A/C controller, as needed and coded for variable clutch on compressor instead of magnetic clutch. Cleared fault codes. Compressor and A/C now operational." The Telematics indeed corrupted the A/C software.
The net is I spent over $900 unnecessarily, imo, for dumb indi diagnostics, new compressor and drier (likely unneeded), + labor and then MB dlr. diagnostics. If I'd had a hint the Telematics update could screw related things up, which I now sadly do, I'd only have had to pay the MB dlr. for the "fault" clearing. All in all, I piddled away at least an extra $700+ fixing something that wasn't broken. The Telematics update simply screwed up the Command "talking correctly" to the compressor.
Welcome to Mercedes.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 650
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From: Texas
2015 White/brown Nappa S550, '13 S550 4 matic, 11 S550 sold, '10 S550 Sports BLACK 08 S550 P3 sport
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 3
2007 S 65
Tony, I learned the hard (read money) way. Out of warr., I went to an unknown, but advertised as an "MB specialist" indi. $125 "diagnostic" later, they said compressor shot. MSRP for new one was numbing; went internet and bought new OEM compressor and drier guaranteed to fit. Took whole thing to my trusted indi, he found "perfect match" drier was not gonna fit. He installed (wasn't cheap) the internet compressor, found the correct drier, which was costly and installed it. Still warm air.
Relented and drove 45 miles to MB stealership.
Here's verbatim quote from MB service invoice...."Tested w/ SDS computer. Short test shows fault w/ A/C pressure valve. Checked compressor actuation and coding of controller. Tech reprogrammed A/C controller, as needed and coded for variable clutch on compressor instead of magnetic clutch. Cleared fault codes. Compressor and A/C now operational." The Telematics indeed corrupted the A/C software.
The net is I spent over $900 unnecessarily, imo, for dumb indi diagnostics, new compressor and drier (likely unneeded), + labor and then MB dlr. diagnostics. If I'd had a hint the Telematics update could screw related things up, which I now sadly do, I'd only have had to pay the MB dlr. for the "fault" clearing. All in all, I piddled away at least an extra $700+ fixing something that wasn't broken. The Telematics update simply screwed up the Command "talking correctly" to the compressor.
Welcome to Mercedes.
Relented and drove 45 miles to MB stealership.
Here's verbatim quote from MB service invoice...."Tested w/ SDS computer. Short test shows fault w/ A/C pressure valve. Checked compressor actuation and coding of controller. Tech reprogrammed A/C controller, as needed and coded for variable clutch on compressor instead of magnetic clutch. Cleared fault codes. Compressor and A/C now operational." The Telematics indeed corrupted the A/C software.
The net is I spent over $900 unnecessarily, imo, for dumb indi diagnostics, new compressor and drier (likely unneeded), + labor and then MB dlr. diagnostics. If I'd had a hint the Telematics update could screw related things up, which I now sadly do, I'd only have had to pay the MB dlr. for the "fault" clearing. All in all, I piddled away at least an extra $700+ fixing something that wasn't broken. The Telematics update simply screwed up the Command "talking correctly" to the compressor.
Welcome to Mercedes.
You were exactly right. I just got back from the dealer and they cleared the fault code and recoded the a/c. Now I have cold air.
One has to wonder, if it was the telematics update screwed up the A/C software why did I have to pay to recode it?
One may think MB would have found this problem and would have told the dealerships about it. Apparently that is not the case.
My dealer knew nothing about this problem, but listened to me patiently while I tried to explain it. They checked it as you described, and fixed the problem.
Cost me $105.00 but I'm not complaining. It could have been much more if you had not been nice enough to come on here and tell me of your experience. Thank you once again.
Tony
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 386
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
CL550 1976 450 SL
You were exactly right. I just got back from the dealer and they cleared the fault code and recoded the a/c. Now I have cold air.
One has to wonder, if it was the telematics update screwed up the A/C software why did I have to pay to recode it?
One may think MB would have found this problem and would have told the dealerships about it. Apparently that is not the case.
My dealer knew nothing about this problem, but listened to me patiently while I tried to explain it. They checked it as you described, and fixed the problem.
Cost me $105.00 but I'm not complaining. It could have been much more if you had not been nice enough to come on here and tell me of your experience. Thank you once again.
Tony
One has to wonder, if it was the telematics update screwed up the A/C software why did I have to pay to recode it?
One may think MB would have found this problem and would have told the dealerships about it. Apparently that is not the case.
My dealer knew nothing about this problem, but listened to me patiently while I tried to explain it. They checked it as you described, and fixed the problem.
Cost me $105.00 but I'm not complaining. It could have been much more if you had not been nice enough to come on here and tell me of your experience. Thank you once again.
Tony
I've asked for more help with things w/ my vehicle on this board (sadly, not many answers) than I have been able to help. I'm glad I was able to help with an answer.
Stay cool.....j
