Symptom:

Most of the time, when I start my '88 TE, all is well with my climate control unit. Specifically, when I push the top most fan speed button, it really blows a lot of air around. Lately, when I start the car and do the same as above, sometimes nothing happens. Pushing any of the other AC buttons on the left, even the max defrost, makes no difference. Further, I have found that when I get no response from the fan speed button and the rest of the climate control unit, I can restart the car and all is back to normal.

Question: Is it time to R/R the Climate Control unit?

Many Thanx.

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Al D.
1988 300TE
Anthracite/Grey MB Tex
205/55/16, 16x7.5 Lorinser 15-hole
'95 S-500 corners
50% tint all windows
Kleen Wheels

For what it is worth, intermittent AC on past posts has often been the AC relay or Aux water pump. Start checking the least expensive items before doing a whole AC or control unit r+r, in my opinion. Also, past posts talk about how to temporarily bypass the klima relay to check for problems. Good luck!

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

You may want to check your mono belt. If it is loose, that may fool you AC system...

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J.H.
'86 300E

It sounds like a blower problem from your symptoms. I would check the large blade fuse. I don't remember whether 124 cars have the ignition switch problem that the 126 cars did, but I would wiggle the key next time it occurs.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Steve,

Thanks for the free-bee. The solution is exactly as you prescribed...just wiggle the key!

Going forward, when it comes time for the ignition switch to be replaced (like I did with my earlier 190E) will the replacement solve this challenge for good, or is there something else that I need to address while it's being worked on?

Thanx much.

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Al D.
1988 300TE
Anthracite/Grey MB Tex
205/55/16, 16x7.5 Lorinser 15-hole
'95 S-500 corners
50% tint all windows
Kleen Wheels

Same happened to mine. Just need to replace the electrical portion of the ignition or wiggle the key. Goes away once repaired.

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E