Anyway to change vaccum actuators without removing the dash? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

190edude · #1 01-12-2005, 04:09 PM

Is there anyway to change out the fresh air and the defrost vaccum actuators without removing the dash in my 190e????
Please say yes, I do not feel like taking that thing out.

MTI · #2 01-12-2005, 05:53 PM

In response to your question, I have a question . . .

Have you ever built a ship in a bottle?

Pull the dash, replace the valves and the heater core, while you're at it.

brabus · #3 01-12-2005, 06:41 PM

I ran across an article while reading about the benz vacuum systems that said it could be done by going though one of the air vents and the glove box. (you might need a 12 year old Asian girl too)
Sorry I don’t have a link
It’s just something I remember reading.

I think there was also something about if you drop the vacuum hose will be forced to take out the dash to get to it, so if this works taping a string to the hose might prove useful

BenzMatic · #4 01-12-2005, 10:20 PM

I am not sure about your car but on W126 all but one of the vacumm elements can be changed without taking the dash out. The one which is for the center vent is very very tough to do but still can be done with creative thinking. The 2 for the defrost are right behind the glove compartment, defrost one is on the passenger side of the console, and heat/cool air one is on the driver side of the console. They are big pain to change some of them but doable.
I hope 190e has those on similar places. Do a search a lot of information will come up.

Good luck

Jim Anderson · #5 01-13-2005, 10:54 AM

I need to get to my defrost vacuum actuator and was looking through the CD for where it is and how to get to in. It looks like its behind the instrument cluster and taking it out gives you access. My first try failed I'm guessing cause the speedometer cable was hanging on to it. I'm planning on trying again this weekend.

I also have a floor vent actuator problem. I can see it through the center consol vent on the passenger side, hopefully I can change it through there.

I'm not trying to build a ship in a bottle, I just want to set the sails

Jim Anderson · #6 01-20-2005, 12:10 PM

I just looked last night and couldn't see anyway to get to the defrost actuator, or like I said get to the speedo cable, or even how to get the dash off.

Did anybody ever change a W201 defrost actuator?

Help

mctwin2kman · #7 01-20-2005, 02:50 PM

You can access the ones behind the radio and the ones behind the Speedo without toaking the dash out. Not easily but mind you it is possible. You can not access the Blend Air one since it sits on top. The dash is actually quite simple to get out. An hour if you have never done it and about 30 minutes time if you have. You do not need to remove the whole dash as you can loosen everything and lift it up. There are only two bolts on top and 4 on the bottom. As for the Cluster, there are three ways to get the Speedo cable off. First you can un-bolt it at the tranny and then it will pull freely into the car where you can easily remove it from the back of the speedo. Second is that you can remove the knee bolster cover and bolster and then the vent duct that goes from the heater box to the driver vent, squeeze you hand up in there and pray to god it is not tight as all hell on the back of the speedo, unscrew and walla! Third if you have small enough hands and like pain you can remove the drivers side vent and reach in behind and unscrew it from the back of the cluster, taking out the drivers side speaker makes it a little less frustrating. Either way be carefull as the cable stretches easily and can then make the speedo needle bounce and drive you nuts.

MTI · #8 01-20-2005, 05:02 PM

http://www.190revolution.net/prem/mti/Anatomy/Dash%20Removed.JPG

The pink actuators on the driver's side and bottom.
At the top of the heater core box you can see the third one, with the yellow sticker.