SL/R230: Climate Control unit
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
2003 SL500
Climate Control unit
Hi, I’m hoping someone here can help me.
It seems that every time I don’t drive my car for awhile I have issues with battery drain. This isn’t too bad of an issue as the car starts but I seem to have issues with functions that relied on the drained auxiliary battery. After driving for awhile, the auxiliary battery charges and my top works and the “”something’s wrong” notifications disappear.
However, the Climate Control module would “act up” and not function properly. Lately the issue has been exacerbated.
At first, the air conditioning would not work and then would come on after driving for awhile. Then, a few weeks later/ the unit would blow warm and the RED indicator light would come on indicating that the a/c wasn’t on. When i would press the button, it would flash a few times and then stay RED with no cool air. The fan would work but that was it.
A week later, the unit is dead. No lights at all. Completely dead. Any ideas?
It seems that every time I don’t drive my car for awhile I have issues with battery drain. This isn’t too bad of an issue as the car starts but I seem to have issues with functions that relied on the drained auxiliary battery. After driving for awhile, the auxiliary battery charges and my top works and the “”something’s wrong” notifications disappear.
However, the Climate Control module would “act up” and not function properly. Lately the issue has been exacerbated.
At first, the air conditioning would not work and then would come on after driving for awhile. Then, a few weeks later/ the unit would blow warm and the RED indicator light would come on indicating that the a/c wasn’t on. When i would press the button, it would flash a few times and then stay RED with no cool air. The fan would work but that was it.
A week later, the unit is dead. No lights at all. Completely dead. Any ideas?
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
I presume it will not turn on neither with the on/off button nor with rotating the blower speed control. If so, then look for a blown 10-amp fuse (f23) in the driver-side fuse box.
If the fuse is good, I suppose it is all but definite that you need a replacement control unit. But first I would double-check power by removing the unit and finding 12 VDC on the electrical connector to the unit. The wiring diagram you may need is 83.40-U-2101KA, and it is included with other diagrams in this single-file download: R230 ETM 64.
If the fuse is good, I suppose it is all but definite that you need a replacement control unit. But first I would double-check power by removing the unit and finding 12 VDC on the electrical connector to the unit. The wiring diagram you may need is 83.40-U-2101KA, and it is included with other diagrams in this single-file download: R230 ETM 64.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
2003 SL500
Thank you. I checked the fuse and it was good.
I remember my first car, back in the mid-‘60’s that i could work on myself. However, I’m not sure if I am able to remove the cover without breaking the panel to get to the unit on this car. I appreciate your help.
I remember my first car, back in the mid-‘60’s that i could work on myself. However, I’m not sure if I am able to remove the cover without breaking the panel to get to the unit on this car. I appreciate your help.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
2003 SL500
Thank you bobterry99,
I didn’t know how to check the power to the unit but took it to my mechanic that claims he did (I think he just checked the fuse as I did). He charged me $135 for this and said to get a new unit, it would cost $1900 and $1450 for a used one.
I went online and found a video on YouTube on how to remove the unit. I bought the plastic tools necessary to remove the panel for about $7. I then went online and found a used one for $390 and installed it. It works great.
BTW. It took about 15-20 minutes to remove the unit and about the same to replace it.
I didn’t know how to check the power to the unit but took it to my mechanic that claims he did (I think he just checked the fuse as I did). He charged me $135 for this and said to get a new unit, it would cost $1900 and $1450 for a used one.
I went online and found a video on YouTube on how to remove the unit. I bought the plastic tools necessary to remove the panel for about $7. I then went online and found a used one for $390 and installed it. It works great.
BTW. It took about 15-20 minutes to remove the unit and about the same to replace it.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
There is also a procedure to adapt the controller to each of the dozen flap positioning motors. However, this is automated and requires Star Diagnosis. I presume a consequence of not performing this procedure is that one or more flaps may not either completely open or close. This would not concern me, but if you have free access to Star Diagnosis...
Last edited by bobterry99; Jun 24, 2020 at 07:48 AM.
