126 Climate Control freezing feet- Need help!

[constellation95]

Hi all,
My uber- reliable 420SEL ('86) is freezing my feet! The climate control regulates the cabin temp just fine, but I get no heat on the driver-side floor (pass side is toasty) I cannot seem to find anything that deals with this particular problem in the archives- I have all the printed manuals, except (of course) the climate control. I know that it is vac. controlled but other than that I am lost. Can anyone help me out before I attempt to tackle this tomorrow? Thanks in advance

[Aaron]

Most likely you have a faulty footwell element or the vacuum switching unit in the center console is acting up.

[86560SEL]

I think that ALL of them have, or WILL HAVE this problem, if they have not already. My heating works fine - blower, climate control, etc, but no matter the settings of the mode, the air never comes out at the feet - on either side. Mostly just the defrost and dash vents. I can hear the modes change around when I push the buttons, but still never seems to be any at the feet area. Not too big of a deal - it does not get that cold here that often anyway and the heater is so good, that it will warm up that area eventually.

Anyway, spring is just around the corner. Already warming up here, so the need for heat will be history- at least until around late October.

I have test drove probably over 7 Mercedes over the past few years and all had this woe. It seems to be a curse on these cars.

[raymr]

There is a row of vacuum valves under the carpeted panel on the right side of the console. Several of those went bad on me. Not surprising, since they are hot little electromagnets activated whenever the car is running. Check each one for electrical resistance. If its open, replace it. That may get your footwell element to work, otherwise it could be the element itself.