Has anyone seen an AirCondition system that looks like this? It's in a 1980 300 D. I'm relatively new to the W123 scene - but I have looked at many of them. And I can't recall ever seeing air condition controls that look like this.

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looking for a cheap & reliable diesel automatic - somewhat near AugustaGA. (SC & northern FL considered)

the owner said the White knob is "from some other car." he doesn't know anything else about it - it was like that when he got it.

If the knob matched it would look like mine, '82 Euro 300D.

I believe what you have is the best AC unit available on a MB.. for sure the most simple....
I think there are three AC configurations on the 123 cars... manual control by wire, and AutoClimate control in versions I and II.
The latter are recognized by the wheel type temp control.... and are WAY to complicated for mere mortals to trouble shoot... so I think you got really lucky.. now if you just had manual windows, manual shift and no sunroof you might just have the perfect car.
The reason I think they are too complicated is that I own a paper copy of the MB heating and airconditioning manual.... those last two types will BOGGLE your mind with their complexity.

I would have thought that it was an aftermarket set-up or a dealer installed type.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

The white knob is aftermarket....
The rest is just basic engineering....which works well.... don't know what got into them that caused the mess the type I and II are....

Job security for the dealerships mechanics.
There isn't much else to fix on a W123.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Well, forgot about that... so different from my orientation... but they went overboard on this those last two types....

My front manual windows are converted to electric, I have manual shift, manual sunroof and aftermarket cruise. The sunroof feels like an armored hatch.

I really like my car. It has its problems but I'm keeping it.

If anyone sees documentation on this AC system, I am interested.

My '77 240D (with the pre-123 body engine) had an AC system that was very close to that. It had a pair of heater knobs, as well as the center control knob and air flow control levers. I had a single dial up top for the AC.

That white thing might be some goober's AC compressor indicator light, or the pilot light for his trunk-mounted fry-daddy or something.

I absolutely loved that system. It didn't hurt that I was the only 16 year old who could keep the girl's legs warm while I was comfortable.

The AC compressor that I had was a dealer add-on, with what I think was a York compressor. It was a piston style compressor, which would make that car downright frigid inside, but was in my opinion equivalent in displacement to one of the cylinders. It had to be turned off on hills. At 275k miles it was still going strong when I sold it.

Here's a pic of the dash that I had:



That car also had the blast-hatch sunroof. There's no way anyone who couldn't lift the spare tire with one hand could open that. If I stopped it half way open, I had to close it and start again. Momentum was key.

Another thing about that car was that the driver's floor mat weighed several pounds. The clutch master cylinder started to leak, which of course leaked into the carpet. It soaked that carpet, and since I couldn't smell it inside, I just left the carpet after I replaced the cylinder.

Despite being underpowered, it was a great car. I wish that *everyone* would be issued a 240D stick shift when they turn 16. You have to plan how you drive. You have to know where the cars around you are, and you'll never get a speeding ticket going over 91mph, which is more than I can say for several of my friends at the time, who's parents stupidly provided fast cars for them.

-Tad

Tad,

There was something wrong with your manual sunroof. My manual sunroof in my '84 Euro 240D could be opened or closed with very little effort.

Everyone,

The first picture in the thread looked very much like the a/c controls in my first ('77) 240D. The second picture in the thread, with the dial looks like the controls in my Euro 240D.

Like Greg said, this is the best controls for 123 a/c. Some would argue, but I really do have enough intelligence to turn the knob colder when I'm hot and turn it hotter when I'm cold.

In my '77, however, I did have flap under the dash somewhere that would occasionally hang and then make a VERY loud noise when it finally got enough vacuum to slam into position. It would scare the pee out of you when it happened. A minor inconvenience given that it was otherwise trouble free.

Have a great day,

I'm in agreement. But it really wasn't much of a bother, it opened and closed for me, and provided amusement for my friends.

I am in complete agreement. I had an '83 300Dt that had the 2nd gen automatic system (with the low profile buttons and an EC button instead of an AC on/off switch). I always figured that when it died I'd hack and cut the three knob system into it. My parent's fixed the first gen button system in their '80 300TD several times. (They did eventually put in some normal shocks in the rear when the levelling system died for the Xth time, but that's another story)

-Tad

300D-Wanted-GA,
I've got an '85 300D automatic that I've been looking to replace with a wagon, and a couple of wagon prospects. email me if you have any interest- I'm in atlanta. djugurba(at)comcast.net
cheers,
Kevin

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With the exception of the white knob, that is exactly what was on my Euro 81 300D parts car. There were indications that the set up might have been after market. When I tore it down it did not seem that the evaporator was set in there factory, there were odd looking valves sort of hanging here and there.

I have heard from a pretty good source that many Mercedes were brought to this country without AC....and then the dealers here installed them...
Something about trade agreements/ amount of car made elsewhere/ taxes maybe...
So that can make it look aftermarket... while MB actually placed them onto the vehicles here in the states...