Asked this question on the tech forum but no replies so maybe this is an interior question...

its been raining continuously the last few days and my windshield has been fogging up a lot. I knew my AC wasn't putting out any cold air when i got the car and also the on/off switch was messed up - the fan stays on all the time. But none of the other switches seem to make any difference to which way the air is directed - the only air coming out is on the side vents no matter what button i push. the fan speed button works.

Here's what i discovered to day - if i hold in the on/off button, the fan turns off; when i release the button the fan blows air on the windshield for about a second and then blows out the side vents as usual.

it's still in the 80's here so my temp setting is at its lowest. when i turn the car off, after about 30 seconds i think i can hear the heater duct direction flaps drop down.

I want to remove the wooden panel that houses the heater controls and see if theres anything obviously wrong with the switches. How do i remove that wood facia withouout wrecking the lacquer? I see 2 screws above the radio - anything else?

Anyone know where i should start troubleshooting?

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'87 BMW 325 convertible (162k + miles)
'87 300E, 144k + miles (sold)
'93 Chevy Blazer (full size), 207K + miles
'89 Sea Ray 390EC, 2 x 454's, 1550 hours...
'85 AMF Sunfish

Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA

A friend's 420SEL had the same problem at a time when it had been raining a lot. I suggested that it might be moisture on the ACC board (which had recently been resoldered). Once the rains stopped and everything was dry again, the controls began to work, too.

How's yours doing now?

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Pete suggested i disconnect the aux cooling pump - if this pump draws too much current the heater controls can stop working. When i finally got the aux pump connector apart, I was able to direct air onto the windshield. Still have no clue how to get air to come out of the center vents but I'm happy!

A replacement pump is $85 - I am not going to worry about it for now.

Thanks for asking!

__________________
'87 BMW 325 convertible (162k + miles)
'87 300E, 144k + miles (sold)
'93 Chevy Blazer (full size), 207K + miles
'89 Sea Ray 390EC, 2 x 454's, 1550 hours...
'85 AMF Sunfish

Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA