1981 240D Climate Control retro?

Here is a picture of the climate control in my 1981 240D. When I look up the part on this and other websites it shows the control basically being the same as the ones in my 300D's.

This would probably help,huh?

[mbdoc]

IN the USA that is a 240D system only! Not A/C/C but a manual system.

[autozen]

Don't get rid of that system. People out here are buying 240Ds and stuffing 300D turbos in them to get away from climate control.

So far I have been going through miles of threads trying to figure this system out. No manuals with the car. Haven't been able to get fan going yet to see if heat works, but I haven't really gotten under the hood much on this one. Fuses in box are all good but I'm sure there's more around that can be bad. Thought about putting in the motor,tranny,exhaust out of one of my 300D's but the turbo's seem to alot more maintenance.

[rs899]

here ya go:

http://mercedes.braingears.com/

You will find the owner's manual here as well as the factory manuals. That goes for your 300Ds and your W126 gasser , too. I have a little trouble getting air to the right place on the '82 240D, but its miles ahead of the 300D we have in simplicity.

I would not give up a 123 manual climate control system for an automatic system even on a bet!

There is really nothing to figure out about the manual system. There are a few cables that basically actuate a few doors to substitute heated air for cooled air for temp control and a resistor set to control fan speed. If the fan is not blowing you can remove the knee panel on the passenger side and have it all out and tested in less than a half hour.

Don't even dream of putting in an automatic system.

If you have trouble with the manual system post some specific information here and we will lead you through fixing it.

Have a great day,

Thanks guys. I'll be getting in there tonight.

[t walgamuth]

with larry and the other poster saying keep it!

the blowers sometimes will respond to cleaning and lubing. if you may think of getting a used blower be careful. .. there are several types and they all look pretty much alike but aren't interchangable.

good luck

tom w

Thanks to Larry's advice, when I got home I took off the knee panel and unplugged the fan motor then plugged it back in. Figured I would turn on the car to see if worked and it did. Seems that the ignition switch has gotten a little sloppy over the years. Just wiggle the key and the fan comes on. Wobbled like heck since it was chock full of leaves. No A/C yet but heat does work. Is there a sensor that keeps the compressor from engaging if it is low on refrigerant? Mine has been converted to 134A allready. Think I'll change it back to R12.

[t walgamuth]

if low it wont engage the clutch.

tom w

I have seen this with the ignition switch. The ignition switch is pretty easy to change but there are several different ones in the 123 series, so make sure you get the correct one.

The low pressure cutout switch is on the receiver drier near the right front headlight.

Good luck,

[dmorrison]

Keep the 240D system.
I just had to replace the evaporator on my daughters 83 240D. I took pictures of every step along the way, so if you need pictures, I have them.
( if you don't know it is a big job, Have to remove the center consol, dash and heater/evaporator box.)
Dave

Thanks dmorrison, I figured on getting to the evap. anyway. If the fan was full of leaves, and leaves blew out the vents I'm sure the coil is totally covered as well. I'll clean it out then shoot some 134 in the system to see if the compressor will run.

Shot some 134 in and "BAM" on comes the compressor. My little 240D project is slowly moving from a project to a daily driver.