jjrodger posted: Only the a/c has given trouble. After twenty minutes of operation, it stops blowing air, although the fan still works. This is cured by switching the a/c off for a couple of minutes.

jj - That sounds like the a/c antifreeze switch is not adjusted properly (or not working) - don't let a shop talk you into very expensive and complex repairs until you have this setting checked out and adjusted.

The anti-freeze switch is designed to prevent the compressor from getting too cold and freezing up with ice... if the switch isn't monitoring the temp properly it won't prevent ice from forming and shutting down the compressor clutch. When that happens, you have to wait for the ice to melt before the clutch can once again engage. This is often the cause of the "now it works - now it doesn't - now it does again" symptom you describe.

Let us know how the fender bender repairs come out - and good luck!

- michael
'98 SL500
and loving it