A/C Problems - '97 E320
 

A/C has been working great here in FL. Then one day I hear a clicking noise that lasted for 10-15 seconds then quickly goes away. Today - a few weeks later - I hear the noise again so I quickly pull over and pop the hood. The noise sounded like it was coming from the compressor. Again the noise quickly went away, but this time so did my cold air. Any suggestions out there?? When I turn the A/C off and on, I do hear the compressor click - but I don't think it is engaging. Please help!

Hi: On the climate control panel inside the car, there is the Economy or "EC" light. By chance is that small amber light on the EC button on, and if you push the button it has no effect, the EC light won't go off??
Gilly

Thank you for the reply.

The EC button does not seem to be the problem. When I push the button, I do hear changes in the vents and the compressor seems to click in/engage. Not sure if maybe the A/C Pressure switch could be the culprit...

Reason I ask (maybe I should have mentioned this first) is if the climate control has disabled the clutch due to low pressure, it turns on that EC light and won't let you switch it off. Sort of like the EC button does anyways, and maybe that's the exact thought process MB had for this, EC means no compresor. If your EC light is on and won't let you switch it off, that's right, no compressor. SO, check that out. If the EC light is off, the system hasn't shut the compressor off, something else has, like the clutch itself is bad??? If the pressure switch is bad or just getting a low reading (sudden loss of freon?) then the EC light will be lit all the time.
Gilly