Just curious if the following is true or at least close to the truth.....

1996 C280 A/C will not blow cold at all.

Dealer says there is a box that contains all of the A/C unit and that replacing the entire box is the only way to fix....says once you break the box open there is NO resealing....so you have to replace the entire unit.

Any insight or suggestions on checking other things that may e affecting the cold air??

Thanks as always,

A2Benz

Not sure about the w202's but I really wouldn't bother with the dealer for 11 year old cars. Find a decent indy and you're set.

Sorry...."decent indy" ???? Help me with the term please

Independent mechanic, i.e., not a dealer.

How can there be "one box" with everything in it? Do they mean the evaporator?

I wondered if it was the heater box, also. If so, $1400 must be for the parts only?

What's the total price the dealer quoted?

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

Whoa...slow down.
First, there are a lot things that can cause an A/C to stop blowing cold and many of them are very inexpensive to fix.
Second, there is no such box as you described.
Third, start with the basics. You can use the climate control system to determine the refrigerant pressure, evaporator temp, and a host of other things so that you have some idea of what is going on(see fourth).
Fourth, search this forum and you will find dozens of other people who have gone through issues with W202 A/C problems and succesfully fixed them.
Fifth, try to be a whole lot more specific when you post here about what the dealer is tellling you. "Box" means nothing. All of these parts have names. Have the dealer give you a written estimate and post here what they said.

Try to find in indy in your neighborhood that you can trust and use as your go-to guy with this car. You need a second opinion on this if you really are looking at $1000+ for the repair.
Good Luck, Dan

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2012 E350 Bluetech

Actually, they do sell the heater box complete with the evap, heater core and all the pods.

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

Well, being more specifif when the actual mechanic standing in front of me says that the entire A/C "BOX" has to be replaced.

I asked to explain what he meant by "box". He stated that there is a black "BOX" sealed with all A/C components inside and if you break the seal to try and fix anything on the inside....you ruined as you cannot reseal...

The Mercedes dealer manager and tech said the "BOX" needs to be replaced. The A/C Box with all components...

That was my detailed report and estimate. They told me that they DO NOT write up estimates with detail any longer as people used the estimates to order their own parts or took it to a INDY to have the work done.

I cannot even get a parts price and number over the phone these days..

There are many INDY's in Ann Arbor, BUT they are just as expensive as the dealer and many of them WILL NOT touch your car IF YOU HAVE WORKED ON IT YOURSELF...

When replacing my water pump I stopped by a INDY and asked for a quote...after the quote hit $700, I asked for a detail....he did this right in front of me...

"Well, the water pump costs me $130 so your cost is (tapping on the calculator) $290, the thermostat kit is $5.31 for me so it's $49 for you, the serpentine belt cost me $2.67 and will run you $75....now the labor is 3 hours at 90 hour and that does not include any other things that may extend our time"

I asked this question...If I do any of the work, will it save me any money?

His response was "if you ever worked on this car, I wont touch it"!

HUH? What? Did I miss something, it's my car and I work on it all the time I just have never done a water pump.....

Nope I wont touch it....have a good day !

So, again I am sorry for the BOX, but it seems that everyone knew or knows what I am referring to except one that says there is no such box...

I have W202 CD's and W124 CD's in which neither refer to A/C components being sealed in one large box...

AND YES, the $1400 was for the "BOX" only and no labor....whew

I'd never heard of "the box" either, but I've never owned a w202. It's certainly possible that there's a box that holds the evaporator, the heater core, and the pods, but those items are related to the heat in the car and the flow of the air in the dash (the pods). It completely neglects the compressor, the drier, the orifice tube (or expansion valve, whatever the car has), and the condensor. If you have failed compressor or a leak anywhere in the system, replacing "the box" will have no affect.

Bottom line, skip that dealer and find a good independent - it sure sounds like the dealer is trying to make some good money. If you're AC isn't blowing, you need to find out why it isn't blowing, then fix what the problem is.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

If the dealer writes up a good estimate, you can find out ahead of time if he's full of it, or if you really need the work.

If you do any work yourself, you just might figure out that the indy completely tortured your car.

OK.. what won't cool..is the blower running? Has the freon level been checked? It's generally only a couple ounce's of freon for a system to stop running. Try going to parts store or even the evil Wal , buy a can of 134a with leak sealer or two, install (while running a/c) and see what happens. If it starts to cool, continue servicing.If you have a major leak it may be a line leaking,or compressor, evaporater. If it's minor the leak sealer might help. Did the system ever work?

Think twice about putting a sealer in an AC system. If you decide to do it, think twice more.

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2012 E350
2006 Callaway SC560

I am not sure why sealer is not good ? It is just a heavier grade oil. If the leak is in the evaporator, and if you cannot do the mechanical/electrical work yourself, and if you want it to be fixed perfectly, then you will have to pay upwards of 3K for the repairs no matter where you go.

I would take the car to an auto air specialist (not a general purpose mechanic) and get a diagnosis and an estimate from them. You have to spend this small amount to make a wiser decision if the costs are going to be around 3K. As many have said, you may not have a leak, dealers just want to give you the worst case estimate, and the attitude of that dealer is very suspicious, as if they just did not want to work on your car or wanted to cheat you.

If the leak is behind the dashboard but is a small leak, auto air place may recommend stop-leak or something which is a heavier grade oil. The a/c system is sealed by oil and o-rings, and heavier grade oil just seals it a little better. And the system may be sealed good enough for refrigerant to last a few months. R134a is not very expensive and if you have to do this 2 to 3 times during summer, you would have a genuine alternative to spending 3K.

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Saumil S. Patel

Well....here is the BAD news....I used the diagnostic tools from another thread to try and read the codes from my climate control...BUT....BUT... the fuse blows everytime i start the car....

Radio Fuse blows, Radio Antenna Fuse Blows, Climate Control Fuse blows and Keyless Remote fuse blows........JUST by turning on the car...

Dam, darn, poop !

If it's not one thing, it's another...BUT ELECTRICAL...You know how sucky that's gonna be....gotta find an INDY now as I wont be able to diagnose where to even start....

AAARRRRRGGGGGG !!

Don't give up so easily. Start another thread on the fuse. You'll figure it out if you stick with it.