Aux Fax Problem - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Bryan Harter · #1 07-21-2003, 04:54 PM

Hi Guys,
Last week the car started running hot (100+, normal is 80 for my car). I got home and noted the Aux Fans were not running.
I found the Aux Fan Fuse (30A) and it was melted!

I picked up a couple fuses at the dealer today.
Before replacing the fuse, I was curious why it blew. ??
I think I found the problem.... One fan turns very hard, other spins very smoothly. My guess is the fan motor is shot,
I will do some testing, inductance/load on the motors.

Anyone have any hints / tips in the removal of the fans? My manual (chassis) doesn't cover that.

I will try to take pix and document the process.

Thanks in advance.

Bryan Harter · #2 07-22-2003, 01:42 PM

Decided to replace both fans....
Right side is fried, causes a huge surge on the circuit when
it engages.
Based on MTBF the other will probably go soon.
As long as I am in there I thought I would do both.

I think they will come out without much effort, just need to loosen a few bolts and the clips on the radiator.

jstadter · #3 07-22-2003, 03:50 PM

(Greetings folks - this is my first post, so advanced apologies if some formatting isn't quite right.)

Bryan,

I'm new to the E500, so I can't speak from experience on that car, but I have had to deal with the aux fans on my 190E.

I'd agree with your decision to replace both; I replaced only one and the other went out a short while later. On the 190,
taking the front bumper off significantly increases room to work, and getting the bumper off is a straightforward 20min'ish job.

Check the AMP connectors for the fans for any melting; mine fried when one of the fans started to pull a bunch of amps.

One more tip on reassembly that may or may not be applicable on the 500: there is a brace that runs vertically from near the top radiator support all the way down to a connection near the bottom of the radiator. One of the holes in the brace is elongated to allow some adjustment - tighten that hole last otherwise the hood release (through the grill) can get out of adjustment.

Hope this helps.

Jim

-fad · #4 07-22-2003, 09:12 PM

Bryan- you may also wish to take a very close look at the wiring harness as well ...I've seen the interior insulation fail causing
(+/-) short/ super heating

-fad

Bryan Harter · #5 07-23-2003, 12:33 AM

Thanks Jim and Fad !

I will add those tips to my checklist. I found the wires on the horn were kind of brittle and beat up, so will rewire while I am in there.

I will probably pull the bumper as I am prepping it to head to the paintshop anyway.

I was holding off waiting for a new center fill panel so I can
try to get as SMOOOOOTH as RUN.EXE.... No way that will happen but I can try!

Also trying to decide what to do with the fill panels under the headlights. I picked up a new set without wiper holes but they are literally 12mm shorter on the main panel (mounting holes are exact). They don't extend behind the grill properly so I am not happy with them....I wish the car were silver so I could just slap in some carbon fiber pieces!!!

I think I am going to go Monochrome and shoot the lowers in Smoke Silver along with the bumper covers.

I got a very poor start on things today, but have located to OE fans (mine are AEG? - thought they would be Bosch) and pulled a few nuts and bolts but the darn job keeps getting in the way!

Thanks again for the suggestions.

Bryan Harter · #6 07-23-2003, 12:51 PM

Making Progress !

I decided to look things over just before going to bed and ended up taking the fans out....pretty easy except for the fan shroud (PITA) to remove. All the screws were pretty accessible without taking out a headlight or the bumper. I was working in cramped conditions and it would definitely be easier if the car were up on a lift (my next house will have one instead of a formal dining room!).

All things considered, pretty painless DIY job.

I did confirm by reviewing previous owners records.
One fan was replaced in early 98, (PO hit the majority of a semi-tire at 75mph - took out the headlight, grille and fan. Not sure if I will replace both fans or just the one. The newer fan has a mfg dt of 8/97, so I might just keep that as a spare.

Bryan Harter · #7 07-23-2003, 12:57 PM

Hey Jim,

I just noticed you are in Austin! There are a few 500E's here.
One in the paper two weeks ago for sale, I didn't look at it but I was tempted. 94 E500 57Kmi $23K not sure if it was original owner but got my interest.

Mark Herzig had one but sold it last year, I have spoken with him but never met. I also met a young man at the dealer w/ a 93 from CA that just moved here.
Some older gentleman had a beautiful anthrazite car at the car wash one day back in 97, said he was local, but I haven't seen him since.

We'll have to get together for lunch sometime and compare notes.

-fad · #8 07-23-2003, 03:12 PM

Bryan- you'll be amazed to see the crud that gets caught up behind the fans themselves....and while you're in there for the aux fans r/r, you may wish to extract the rad and ensure there is 100% air flow through all areas of the rad and surrounding frontal mount areas, esp the bottoms ...you know due to the crud issue again...

let us know how this turns out
-fad

Bryan Harter · #9 07-23-2003, 03:26 PM

Fad -

There was alot of "crud" including a very hi-speed impact
of a bird? just below the fans....will definitely clean before replacing the fans. It is amazing how much stuff accumulates between the radiator and AC unit.

My car has always run very cool 80-85C even in the Texas heat, it is important to clean the fins every season....do the same with my home A/C.

Bryan Harter · #10 07-23-2003, 03:42 PM

I just picked up the fans at the dealer.....Fell in LOVE (LUST?)
with a CL55. She was black with light grey interior....

That think is BAD !!!!

I don't know if I am ready to give up the droptop, but I will own one of those some day!!!

jstadter · #11 07-23-2003, 04:32 PM

Hi Bryan,

Yep - I bought that one that was in the paper 2wks ago. Black/tan, 2nd owner (who purchased it in Houston while it was still under the original warranty), 47.5Kmi, completely stock, always dealer serviced, and basically cherry inside and out.

As I type, my wife is on the way to Continental Cars to take possesion of the car. The previous owner agreed to pay for some minor repairs that were found during a PPI, so we just left the car there so they could do the work. I just got a call that it's ready, so I'm finally going to get some real seat time.

I believe you and I may have met briefly once at El Arroya on 5th when you were picking up a carry-out order. You had parked near my wife's 190 hot-rod in the lot across the street and I was asking how you liked your 500 (in an attempt to convince my wife that we needed one

). We'll have to get together sometime compare notes.

Jim

Bryan Harter · #12 07-23-2003, 04:42 PM

Hi Jim !
Welcome to the club!
Yes that was me at the ditch.
I was very tempted to look at that car, mine isn't near as nice but it is a daily driver and I don't think I could keep my sanity if I had to drive a cherry car every day.....I've been toying with buying a truck but I hated driving my 97 Landcruiser on a daily basis...too slow and too perfect. Black, black chrome trim really beautiful, but only looked perfect after a wash and wax....I will never own a black car again.

I can't wait to see your new purchase up close, I could have looked at it an hour ago, I usually sniff out cool cars when I am at the dealer, always on the lookout for anything fun.

Bryan Harter · #13 08-09-2003, 10:12 AM

I got the fans in, things went well. I will detail the process and my "gotchas" later. I can't seem to find my firewire for the DV camera....I will dig one up and post the pix ASAP.