strange a/c problem - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jivadent · #1 10-28-2002, 11:32 AM

My old 300SD was totalled in a highway accident 2 months ago this Wednesday. I was looking for another diesel benz for a while, and I finally found one right under my nose, a few blocks away by the barber shop. It has a few problems (hole in the muffler, needs front end work), but for $1900 plus my totalled 300SD, it seems worth it.

Anyway, one of the many minor problems the car has is that the a/c doesn't work all the time. I'd say it works about 70% of the time. The rest of the time, it just doesn't come on at all. One time I even had it stop working in the middle of a ride. Besides that one time, it either works or doesn't work for the duration of the car ride. Does anyone have ideas?

Gabriel

#2 10-28-2002, 11:53 AM

On what year model SD are you experiencing this problem?

Have a great day,

jivadent · #3 10-28-2002, 01:07 PM

On the '83... the '84 is totalled...

#4 10-28-2002, 01:42 PM

There are two possibilities that are somewhat common problems. The first is the ignition switch. If the system does not come on, can you wiggle the ignition switch a little and have it come on? If so, then the ignition switch should be replaced.

Second is possibly the pushbutton control unit. It would be worth heating all solder joints to correct any cold solder joints. If you are not proficient with circuit board soldering procedures, find someone who is to try this. If you are not familiar with circuit board soldering procedures you can easily do more harm than good.

Good luck,

jivadent · #5 10-28-2002, 04:40 PM

Now that you mention it, when I take the keys out of the car, it still runs for like 2 seconds... so it could very well be the ignition switch. I didn't think it would affect the a/c, since the car turns on fine.