2001 C320 Part number? Ventilation making ANNOYING noise
 

Does anyone know the part number for the motor that controls the air flap that blows onto the drivers feet?

Everytime i go to start the car, i loud tap is heard once every 3-4 seconds, ANNOYING! Anyway, i took down the under dash panel to see if i could see anything, and when i turned the key on, i saw that flap, closing slowly, then snapping open (causing the noise) which it repeats this process for roughly 45-60 seconds, then its fine.. so im assuming i need to replace that motor.

Does anyone know how to access that motor? its kind of hidden under the dash going into the center console.

That's not a job you really want to be doing yourself.

The dash needs to come out and the end of the heater box need to be replaced due to the gears on the box breaking. It's not a very nice job even when you've done a few of them. The motors don't fail, they just break the gears they drive.

You will probably find the linkage for the footwell flap stepper motor broken causing the noise. Every once in a while you will have the heater box broken, but not very often. This is a very common problem with 203. You are suppose to take out the dash and crash bar to access the stepper motor. Talking book time, it is about 6 hrs or a little more (but it takes a lot less after you have done a few and learned a few tricks).Good luck.Depending on your dealer, you might attempt to get good will.

Well i took the under dash panel out, and i can see the flap hitting when first turning on the ignition. The flap slowly closes, then snaps open, causing that annoying noise. it repeats this process about5-6 times then basically does not allow any heat on my feet.. so im sick of it.. does anyone have the part number for that motor assembly?? I can change it out myself,, just need to pick a day to do it. Also i see that you provided me with the book time... do you have any instructions on doing this,, as in step by step.. I know the dealer has access to this and would like some instructions. Thanks

The part number for the stepper motor is 203-820-16-42(2 required!) & for the linkage 203-830-00-33. NOT really a DIYer as posted above.

This must be very common because our '02 C320 just started doing it and the guy who inspected the car at the end of the lease said he's seen it on lots of them. This one is still under warranty so the guy who buys it off-lease will have it paid for by MB, but it looks like a ticking time bomb (literally).

What happened to the good ol' vacuum system ? :)

That is for the flap that control ventilation to the drivers feet?
Why does it require two motors? and does anyone have any SRT's for this job?

If i take out the under dash panel, I can see the flap for the drivers feet ventilation. It slowly opens, then slams shut... A SA at my Merc dealer said it may not be the motor, it could be the venitlation control itself. I dont think this is the case..
My vehicle is out of Warranty,, what do you think the chances of me getting it covered through MBUSA is?

Your chances of getting covered under "good will" really depend on your dealer, if you are the first owner, and how good of a customer you were to the dealership (getting services performed and such). It is a known problem and it is worth asking the dealer for assistance.And like the past posts state, I highly recommend NOT doing this repair yourself if you don't have much experience.

The motors very rarely fail, the common problem is the plastic gear sets; plastic links and the plastic housing. The way you describe the noise suggests to me the gear set is slipping; this is very common and well known on w203.
The factory repair is to remove dash assembly and replace all gear sets and links, depending on how bad, sometimes even the heater box as well, as the gear sets can elongate the housing.
If you can't get any goodwill, I would suggest getting a fixed quote on having all gear sets/links replaced. :)

The biggest reason to replace the "motor" as well as the linkage on the EARLY W203 chassis IS: they travel too far & that is what breaks the linkage!

I listed the part number for the linkage & motors on earlier post! See above!

Sorry, but unless the motor is non functioning, replacing it will be a total waste of money.
The motors have not been updated and have never been recognized as a cause for this particular fault by mecedes.
Having said that, I'm not disagreeing with you about the motor over travel, it’s just that the new motor will be exactly the same. :)