how to remove wood over the climate control buttons
 

1983 300D

I have very little air coming out of the center vents so I need to get access to the vacuum relays. I removed the wood that surrounds the upper switches (like the sun roof, defrost, etc) but that doesn't give me enough room to work.

How do you remove the wood that surrounds the climate control buttons? I'm afraid I'm going to break it.

thanks
Joe

Hi Joe:
See some of my previous post for photos.
Now to get to those famous five valves, with better room to wok this is what I did on my 123,
I removed the ashtray, then the radio. This makes you bottom most slot open.
Next remove the ACC. Dont be afraid. The wood on the ACC push botton panel is held in place by 4 little pegs. Take 2 plastic knives insert about 1/2 inch between the Vinyl trim and wood at each corner on top and pry open the wood slightly from top 2 corners. Just by about 1-2 cm. then do the same thing on the bottom 2 sides. Repeat the steps on the top again and then back to bottom again couple of times like this and you have that wood panel out. This wood panel that you are talking about is not stuck with glue or anything. Its held in place by thise 4 little pegs and a tight fit between the vinyl console and wood. Real easy.
See the photos I have posted last week. Let me know how it goes.
MVK

wood off - bad actuator
 

MVK

thanks for the wood removal advice...got it off with no problem.

Apparently my climate control has two problems, one of which I solved and the other I am again stuck.

The first problem was that the actuator arm the goes to the center vents was disconnected from the door. After 2 hours work, I was able to get a plastic cable tie in there and now the door is fastened to the actuator. I now get air out of the center vents.

The second problem is an actuator that is behind the glove box on the left upper side. There is another one that is all the way to the right which apparently controls if you recirculate air. This one (left side) has something to do with air flow through the center vents because when it is pulled all the way in, you get a ton of air through the center vents.

My actuator is leaking. Do you have any idea how you change this part. I looks like it is rivoted to the whole blower moter plastic assembly. I was able to take the actuator apart, and put it back together, but it still leaks and is not pulling all the way in under vacuum (only about 1/2 way).

Since you have to buy the actuator that controls the defrost any ideas on my situation.

thanks
Joe

Are you sure that actuator ( its actually called a vacuum element) is leaking or not holding the vacuum. If so, its usually due to a leaking or broken rubber diaphragm in that element. You might not want to change the whole actuator. You can get the rubber diaphragm from ************************ or from
http://www.autoluxmbz.com/
Call them up they will tell you if they have one for you. They are about 5 bucks. Some people have tried patching up the diaphragm hole with a rubber patch and a rubber glue.( just like fixing a flat on side wall of a tire). But I would rather replace the whole rubber piece.

Also You want to see the ACC control manula to see how this element works. I mean when it opens or closes or if it paritially opens under certain conditions. Make sure that you do have a leak before going thru the whole trouble. To check fot the leak apply vacuum to that element and see if it holds the vacuum if not its leaking.

Good luck

mvk

It is definitely leaking vacuum. I will try to replace only the diaphram.

I must not have a large hole because it only leaks slowly, but it won't pull in without a little help when vaccum is applied. Once it's all the way actuated, it holds.

thanks

Joe

Hi Joe.
Make sure its supposed to be fully pulled. may be its supposed to be partially open for allow in some fresh air in. I am not sure on that just a thought. I am very good with the left side elements i mean the legroom, and defrost vents.
One more piece of advice. no matter what weather make sure you use all functions on ACC once a week this keeps things in shape. Its true for all cars.
mvk