Hi all!

Got a stumper here... need some help!!!!!

Here's the scoop... 84 MB 500SEL, rebuilt climate control pushbutton assembly - installed. Both temperature sensors (inputs to control assy.) replaced with new (one purely for cosmetic reasons, grill would not stay on). Also rebuilt that valve just in front of the firewall right middle side (forgive me, I forgot the proper name for it). Everything works as it should EXCEPT...

Temp control wheel set to 65 degrees - in car temp stays at 75 degrees. Temp wheel set to 80 - in car temp stays at 90... and so on and so fourth. The only setting that works properly is the max cool setting. The in car temp gauge has been verified and is correct, any ideas???

Thanks for the help!

Matt

Have you had your AC recharged?

Was it evacuated and replaced recently. Usually thats what will help you get ice cold hair is an AC recharge.

Perhaps the new sensors are faulty.

I'm not a tech, but I hope that helps.

Alon

__________________
'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

ooops,

forgot to tell that ac system is perfect... from clutch to condenser... works fine in max cool position

mbmatt

And if the interior temp sensors are operating as they should, then there must be something wrong with the physical temp switch...?

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

It sounds like the temperature dial wheel is not 'aligned' with the thermal element it activates.

This is the way I think it works. I could be all wet, and am not an MB tech, but here goes.

As you turn the wheel to warmer or cooler it mechanically moves the on/off point. From what you describe, 75=65, 90=80, the dial 'reads' 10 degrees off from the element setting. Now, if that is so, I don't know if there is a mechanical adjustment to re-calibrate the dial or not.

How new/recent is the rebuild on the climate control pushbutton assembly? Perhaps it wasn't properly calibrated during rebuild. Try talking to the supplier of the rebuilt control, tell them it's 10 degrees off everywhere and see if they offer to re-calibrate it for you.

Good luck and BCingU, Jim

I would like to add something to this good list of things to check. On your model I don't know where the interior temp sensor is located. But find it and ensure that the air tube that provided interior air to the sensor is not deteriorated, collapsed or otherwise blocking air flow to the sensor.

Additionally, I don't think your car has one, but on the 124 cars there is a small fan that feeds air to that sensor. This fan runs any time the ignition is on. If it is worn out, it will cause similar problems.

My $0.02

Great idea Larry! The air temp senor for interior air in the w126 is overhead above the rear view miror in the light console. There is what looks like a small plastic grill. Interior air should be flowing into this area.

Follow this link to a great article on MB climate control systems. http://www.mbca.org/MBCA_acc_system.htm

Good Luck, you'll be needing that AC for sure right about now.

__________________
Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

Read this article...

http://hsb.baylor.edu/html/easley/autofaqs/recirc.htm

Thanks for all the good advice!!
I spoke with the rebuilder of the control unit about the problem and he said he has never heard of such an instance and the wheel can only be installed one way, he did offer to recheck the controller for me at no charge but I am not so sure this is the problem. I had previously checked the airflow across the car temp sensor... but rechecked it again... still good. I am now going to perform the checks in the article Q posted... hope that leads me somewhere

Thanks again for all your help!!!