Different Compressors on my '85 double 300Ds, and a question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TylerH860 · #1 07-31-2009, 12:37 AM

I had to get a little creative with the plural form.

I'm a little concerned that I may have found why the Compressor in "The Red Baron" is not clicking on. The only electrical wires I could find, 2 little puny wires are connected firmly, but what it is connected to is very loose. With "The Red Baron", these connections are on the driver's side of the compressor, while Ol' Turbo's lie directly underneath facing the ground, and are very firm, no wiggling at all.

Is this indeed what controls the compressor? I can't imagine fixing it without completely removing the clutch, which seems to be the only thing keeping it from falling off.

Please tell me its some stupid redundancy.

I will take some pictures of what I'm looking at tomorrow.

pawoSD · #2 07-31-2009, 12:50 AM

The compressor wires should be a flat blade style plug that firmly attaches to the compressor. Putting the system on A/C and checking for voltage on those wires you found will confirm if that is what they are....then check if the voltage goes to 0 when switched to EC mode.

Jeremy5848 · #3 07-31-2009, 01:05 AM

The clutch on the compressor draws only about 3 amps so the wires are not as heavy as one would think. However, they are in an exposed area and I have always been a little surprised that they are not more firmly attached. However, I have not had problems and so am willing to ignore the situation.

kingdoc1 · #4 07-31-2009, 05:36 PM

Sounds like the blade terminals on the compressor clutch coil have broken loose, if I am interpreting correctly.

If you have voltage at the wires going to the clutch connector, but the clutch does not click when you apply voltage to it, check the clutch coil terminals with an ohmmeter. If there is an open circuit between the two terminals, or if there is continuity between either terminal and ground (the compressor case), you need a clutch coil.

The Four Seasons part #48244 should be right, but double-check.

TylerH860 · #5 07-31-2009, 10:39 PM

Well, the test light confirmed it. It is getting power, but the terminal is loose.

How do I go about fixing this?

I'm not sure whether I'm losing my resolve, or this chronic fatigue I'm having is getting the best of me, but I'm not sure if I want to dig into this one. What little work I did today around the house and with the cars has left me absolutely exhausted. I feel like I have a quarter of the energy I used to, and could stay in bed 12 hours a day if I could.

bgkast · #6 08-01-2009, 01:17 AM

Wait...you got another 300D, and I thought you sold Ol'turbo?! Sorry for the hijack.

TylerH860 · #7 08-01-2009, 01:18 AM

Chose not to sell OT and yes, there's a thread on the new one.

I still can't figure out how the heck I'm going to fix this compressor without taking it off.

kingdoc1 · #8 08-01-2009, 05:30 AM

If the clutch coil is working, but the terminal is just loose, clean the area and resecure it with five-minute epoxy.

If the clutch coil is bad, remove the clutch from the compressor and change the coil, reinstall the clutch. I think Harbor Freight has some inexpensive clutch tools if you don't have any. From the picture, it looks like you might have to remove the fan shroud to get enough clearance to remove the clutch.

BTW, clutch coils are fairly reliable items, if you have an old compressor lying around you could utilize a used one and it would probably last the life of your compressor.