SL/R129: Blower issues
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 408
Likes: 105
Blower issues
99 SL.
Well folks, blower motor issue continues.
So it takes the blower motor 3-5 minutes to kick on. Driving or just idling in one spot. Before I thought things wiggled and worn brushes came to contact, but apparently if I leave the car on in one spot it will come on after a little while. Once on it works as it should.
I tried nudging it with a screw driver, moving the fan blades and hitting the motor but it would not respond. Restarting the car would bring it back to life.
For example, yesterday, 100f weather, started driving, 5, 6,7 8 minutes passed by and I was worried the fan would not come at at all, I restarted the car while standing in traffic and it came back to life.
I dread the removal of the motor, its an involved job and the worst part is removing the wiper motor and the vacuum lines. But I want to be for sure its the blower motor and or the regulator.
It would be a lot easier of the damn thing was just dead. But this random operation is annoying and between owning to MB cars I dont want to be throwing parts randomly.
Many thanks !
Well folks, blower motor issue continues.
So it takes the blower motor 3-5 minutes to kick on. Driving or just idling in one spot. Before I thought things wiggled and worn brushes came to contact, but apparently if I leave the car on in one spot it will come on after a little while. Once on it works as it should.
I tried nudging it with a screw driver, moving the fan blades and hitting the motor but it would not respond. Restarting the car would bring it back to life.
For example, yesterday, 100f weather, started driving, 5, 6,7 8 minutes passed by and I was worried the fan would not come at at all, I restarted the car while standing in traffic and it came back to life.
I dread the removal of the motor, its an involved job and the worst part is removing the wiper motor and the vacuum lines. But I want to be for sure its the blower motor and or the regulator.
It would be a lot easier of the damn thing was just dead. But this random operation is annoying and between owning to MB cars I dont want to be throwing parts randomly.
Many thanks !
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 709
Likes: 131
From: NE OHIO
1998 SL500,2011 GL550,2009 ML350,past 1995 E320 Cabrio ,2005 ML500,2006 ML500,1996 SL500,1972 280SEL
fan
Just to be sure we are talking about the ventilation fan correct? The regulators die way more often than the fan motors do. Plus your description fits a regulator problem more than a fan problem .
Last edited by vesiadog; Jun 23, 2024 at 08:33 PM. Reason: wording
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 8
From: San Marcos TX
'98 R129 SL500 Sport
I had the exact same problem. Your blower motor bracket is probably broken, Get a new blower motor and regulator and search for the detailed post on replacement. It is not really hard, MB are well designed and nice to work on.
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/ga.../#post-4921909
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/ga.../#post-4921909
Last edited by Roscoe52; Jun 24, 2024 at 09:26 AM. Reason: Added link
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 408
Likes: 105
Well I changed the blower regulator and the fan started coming on right away. I figure that was it.
Now it starts right away but after a few minutes, shuts down or slows down. Regualtor gets hot. I rechecked everything and looks like the only thing left is the blower motor itself. It never ends.
Ordered the blower.
Now it starts right away but after a few minutes, shuts down or slows down. Regualtor gets hot. I rechecked everything and looks like the only thing left is the blower motor itself. It never ends.
Ordered the blower.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 8
From: San Marcos TX
'98 R129 SL500 Sport
Is the fan properly retained - is the bracket holding it fast? Mine was flopping about, working sometimes and not othertimes. Fixing the retaining bracket was the key for me.
