SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: weak draft from the ashtray/climate control area
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
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weak draft from the ashtray/climate control area
my sl65 is acting up (whats new- right?)
first thing in the morning when i drive the car (outside temp is 40) the heating (on auto) comes on very strong after 2-3 minutes- it goes to 50% and blows hot air and turns the cabin into a sauna. then after 10 minutes or so it slows down (2 bars are lit), cools off and all is good.
what i have noticed is that when moving there is a very slight (barely detectable, but definitely there) cold draft coming from the ashtray, climate control and cupholder area... i am thinking that draft is sufficient to "trick" the temp sensors that it is very cold and the heat is cranked up accordingly.
now... i have determined that draft is not based on fan speed (ie it is presented when car is moving even when the climate control fan is off).
it is almost as i have an uncovered hole in the firewall and cold air (while engine compartment is cold) is pushed into the cabin from behind the dash and tricking the climate control. i have also checked the cabin filters under the passenger kick panel and they are installed properly and that area is not the source of the draft.
my questions are:
1. where are the climate control sensors? i can troubleshoot backwards once i know that
2. is this just typical behavior (aggressive tip-in of the climate control first thing in the morning)?
3. anybody experience similar problems?
thank you
first thing in the morning when i drive the car (outside temp is 40) the heating (on auto) comes on very strong after 2-3 minutes- it goes to 50% and blows hot air and turns the cabin into a sauna. then after 10 minutes or so it slows down (2 bars are lit), cools off and all is good.
what i have noticed is that when moving there is a very slight (barely detectable, but definitely there) cold draft coming from the ashtray, climate control and cupholder area... i am thinking that draft is sufficient to "trick" the temp sensors that it is very cold and the heat is cranked up accordingly.
now... i have determined that draft is not based on fan speed (ie it is presented when car is moving even when the climate control fan is off).
it is almost as i have an uncovered hole in the firewall and cold air (while engine compartment is cold) is pushed into the cabin from behind the dash and tricking the climate control. i have also checked the cabin filters under the passenger kick panel and they are installed properly and that area is not the source of the draft.
my questions are:
1. where are the climate control sensors? i can troubleshoot backwards once i know that
2. is this just typical behavior (aggressive tip-in of the climate control first thing in the morning)?
3. anybody experience similar problems?
thank you
Last edited by alx; Apr 22, 2011 at 06:39 PM.
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SL55 AMG 2007
I have a similar problem in my 2007 SL55, although without the heater acting up, just the faint draught.
The cold draught is enough to really freeze my side on a long run. The colder the outside temperature the worse it is, I agree it feels exactly like a hole in the car (I've had it checked by MB, there aren't any holes) I think is is related to the fan because it seems to disappear if I turn the heating system off completely.
My MB dealer's senior tech mentioned that he had heard of one previous case of a lady owner complaining of the same draught, but had dismissed her (I assume misogyny is still alive and well amongst the mechanic community)
Alx did you find a solution?
The cold draught is enough to really freeze my side on a long run. The colder the outside temperature the worse it is, I agree it feels exactly like a hole in the car (I've had it checked by MB, there aren't any holes) I think is is related to the fan because it seems to disappear if I turn the heating system off completely.
My MB dealer's senior tech mentioned that he had heard of one previous case of a lady owner complaining of the same draught, but had dismissed her (I assume misogyny is still alive and well amongst the mechanic community)
Alx did you find a solution?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
I have a similar problem in my 2007 SL55, although without the heater acting up, just the faint draught.
The cold draught is enough to really freeze my side on a long run. The colder the outside temperature the worse it is, I agree it feels exactly like a hole in the car (I've had it checked by MB, there aren't any holes) I think is is related to the fan because it seems to disappear if I turn the heating system off completely.
My MB dealer's senior tech mentioned that he had heard of one previous case of a lady owner complaining of the same draught, but had dismissed her (I assume misogyny is still alive and well amongst the mechanic community)
Alx did you find a solution?
The cold draught is enough to really freeze my side on a long run. The colder the outside temperature the worse it is, I agree it feels exactly like a hole in the car (I've had it checked by MB, there aren't any holes) I think is is related to the fan because it seems to disappear if I turn the heating system off completely.
My MB dealer's senior tech mentioned that he had heard of one previous case of a lady owner complaining of the same draught, but had dismissed her (I assume misogyny is still alive and well amongst the mechanic community)
Alx did you find a solution?
the draft was coming from a torn steering shaft boot right where the shaft goes through the firewall.
a $20 part and many hours of labor (the whole steering rack had to come down to gain access to the boot).
the climate control acting up was due to bad overhead console sensor.
