2000 S430 looking for a/c troubleshooting info
 

Does anyone have any information in regards to troubleshooting the a/c system on a W220, 2000 model S430? EC light is on and the refrigerant charge is correct if the capacity tag under the hood is correct. Any guidance/thoughts are appreciated.

anybody?

if it was recharged without clearing faults its not going to work.

I believe that if it's low on freon, just cycling the ignition would make the compressor kick in.
The freon temp sensor I believe is out near the receiver drier or condensor, not sure.
Not sure on accessing the diagnostic mode Jim. If nothing else works out I guess you could buy a 24 hr sub. to the Mercedes tech site. I always had access through SDS so never got fluent in that, was never really stressed in training, maybe afraid all these students would strike out on their own if they new they didn't need to lease an SDS to get anything done?? Pretty sure this would be addressed sonewhere at the Mercedes site or on WIS if it's a new enough version to get in to 220's.
Gilly

Thanks
I found the location of the temp switch. It is on top of the dryer right next to the pressure switch. I joined the startechinfo site for the day. I have been on the puter for a couple hours now digging through this information - durn. I'd rather be wrenching than sitting here at this screen:(.
I still have not found if I can read through all the information via the dashboard display though. Still nosing around for that.

If anyone knows how to erase DTC memory in the A/C pushbutton control module it would save me some time.

Based on what I have been able to understand so far it looks like you have to have the Star Diagnosis to clear it:rolleyes:.

Here's an old thread of mine with the same problem. I think what you need is in there. Check the second page especially.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/86110-210-chassis-climate-control-problem.html?highlight=economy+light

Len

Thanks Sokolof - I read through your attached thread and it looks like the one I am going through is reset differently than yours. I'll probably subscribe to startechinfo for another day:( and read through everything I can stand. I retrieved the numbers from the display and they are as follows:

outside air temp 70
01 - 73.4
02 - 66.2
03 - 96.8
04 - 98.6
05 - 86
06 - 150
07 - 86
08 - 84.7

It would save me many hours digging through startechinfo if someone could possibly interpret these numbers for me. Whatever 06 is looks like it could possibly be the culprit.
Also, I still need info on the reset.
thanks
Jim

Jim
Check this on Steve Brothertons site:
https://www.continentalimports.com/ser_ic40142.html
He has a sample from a 210 on what the actual values are. Can't believe you're not finding this on Startek someplace. That 150 may be engine temp, although I would think that would be listed in degees C. Buuut, the other temps seem to be listed in degrees F, so maybe not.
Gilly

I'll nose around some more. All the temps read out in dC and I converted to dF prior to posting.

OK, but the #6 reading just says 150 and you don't know what unit it's in? May be bar?
Gilly

06 was reading +66.
I assumed it is reading dC because it seems kind of high for bar.

How did you read those codes from the w220 CC system?? Is it the same procedure as for the w210/w202/etc. auto climate controls? (ie. HI + LO, then press REST and EC together - the AUTO to cycle through the codes)

HI + LO, then press REST and EC together - the AUTO to cycle through the codes

HI + LO then hold down REST.

I stopped by my friendly independent today and discussed it with him. My plans are to take it by to him tomorrow and have him reset.

Independent reset the a/c system and the car is good to go. He showed me the laptop, cable connectors and demo'd the software that he uses. I guess if I am going to stay up to date I will eventually have to get into it. I hate it - I'd rather be wrenching:).

It's coming back:(. The EC light came back on. This time it is going to the independent to get the codes read. Hopefully it will be the freon temp sensor. Based on my understanding reading through WIS it pretty much instructs you to inable the freon temp sensor.

Can anyone recommend where to purchase the software/cables to be able to read and reset codes on this car? I have a laptop:).