Help! The fan buttons on my climate control are funtioning very poorly. I took the climate control unit out and looked into the buttons.........popped out the buttons and put them back in and reinstalled the unit. They still won't work correctly. It's as though they're in the early stages of breaking. Can these buttons/switches be fixed, or does the whole unit need to be replaced? Any reply would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Primo

In the words of Ben Stein in Ferris Bueller's Day Off,
"Anyone? Anyone? Anyone?"

Still need some help on this issue.

Brother of The Benz, Primo
The fan switches of The Automatic Climate Control, Hi, Auto, and Lo are repairable, I theenk but I wouldn't.
They are purchased seperately and I'm sure Fast Track has them.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman in Houston!!!

Thank you Spiderman! I knew I could count on you. So, the switches are replaceable. I then have to open up the box to get to them out, right? It seems as though the other switches in the horizontal line (air flow direction ones) have to come out also in order to get the face plate off. How do I get these other ones to come out?? I can't quite get enough of a grip on them to pull the switches out. I'm a little hesitant to use pliers for fear of gouging the buttons. Is there a trick to this, or a special tool that I need?

Your Spider-sense never fails to amaze me.

Primo

Brother of The Benz, Primo
The fascia must be removed.
There are two phillips head screws at the lower corners of the fascia.
Removing them allows you to lift the fascia out and up.
This gains access to all of the switches.
I may be in error as to the location of the screws as I'm referencing the W124030, 1987 300E.
Good Luck you'll have it going your way, but by no meams use no pliers.
Happy Trails beep Beep from The Spiderman In Houston!!!

I know that the wood fascia must come off first, i.e. the 2 screws to which you refer. What I'm referring to is an inner fascia of sorts. It's a black plastic plate which snaps onto the front of the control unit. That has to come off in order to open the control unit, which I think needs to be done in order to replace the fan switches. My trouble is that I can't get the black plastic plate off because of the air flow buttons. They seem to prevent the plate from coming off. How do I get the air flow buttons off???

Thanks!

On my 300e, you have to first remove the wood panel, then there is another black plastic panel which must be removed as well. This plastic panel is held in place by several Philips screws as well. Once you remove the screws you should have access to the switches. The switches can be pulled off directly but as Spiderman warns - don't use pliers, fingers are best here!

On another note - if memory serves, there are some delicate black fiberoptic cables connected to the switches for illumination, be careful not to yank these too hard. Good luck!

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Thanks for your reply. I realize that the control unit inner fascia is held in by 6 phillips screws. I've taken the whole thing out already. In fact, when you remove the 6 screws, the whole unit comes out, as the inner fascia is snap connected to the CCU. My problem is that I can't get the black plastic front plate off of the control unit. It seems as though it won't come off because of the air flow switches. How do I pull off the Air Flow Switches?? I can't get any sort of grip on them at all. The fan switches come off very easily.

Thanks.

I honestly can't remember Primo - I'd have to check my car to see (I'm at work). I recall taking the entire unit apart (by gently prying the snap connectors) but can't remember how I got the switches off. They came off easily though. I'll check the car tonight and post tomorrow/late tonight if you can wait. Perhaps someone else can help in the meantime?

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

The MB service manual says that there is a clip on each side of the switch...... but the diagram is pointing to the window switches in the middle console, so i'm not sure if this also applies to the AC switches.

If you can't pull em out, you'll probably have to replace that whole fascia.

Good luck

-Paul

On the 1984 300SD,the PCU airflow switch buttons are attached in the same manner as the fan switch buttons (which you have already removed). Detach the wheel assembly (two latches) and the fan switch housing (two latches, again). At this point, release the three plastic latches holding on the face plate of the PCU and pull the face plate out, beginning at the "OFF" button side and moving to the "DEFROST" button side. The white plastic "sub-button" (look again at your fan buttons and you'll see what I mean) is a friction, "click", fit and will give with the right persuasion. The face plate then comes off and you can remove the case top and access the switches themselves (along with their little relays). Rx: some aerosol contact cleaner from Radio Shack. Not resposible for anything mentioned

__________________
The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

jbaj007,

Thanks! I'm gonna get into this ASAP. In addition to the mechanical problems I'm having with the fan switches, the AC is no longer blowing cold air. It was recently topped off by my excellent mechanic. I'm wondering if this switch problem is related to the lack of AC. I hope so!

See ya.

Primo

Brothers of The Benz
After renewing the compressor, clutch, drier/reciever, and expansion valve and I'm really pleased with the performance of the 134A conversion; I've decided to renew the components in the dash portion of the Automatic Climate Control.
Comes the shock!!!!!
The evaporator coil assembly purchased from my Local Dealer Parts Department, Lists for $718.00.
It has a 24 month warrantee.
Shop around!
The same item in a generic brown box, $195.00, it too has a 24 month warrantee.
Now if one of you tells me where to get it for less, I'll bit my thumb, for I've already ordered it.
If you are passing through Houston and want to spend a few days sweating, come join me in an evaporator party.
Happy Trails beep Beep from The Spiderman in Houston!!!

Spiderman,

Why are you renewing your Evaporator Coil? Is this part of the conversion or are you just bored? Hee hee! Would this new Evap. Coil be an upgraded one with super cooling capabilities?? Too many questions.

Bye.

Primo

Brother of The Benz, Primo
My ole tub is 14 years of age and she has yet to have any repairs done to the interior of the Automatic Climate Control System.
Yes I'm going to replace the coiling coils, the evaporator.
I'm not doing it for the fun of it.
The ACC has a lazy door/flap. It is discharging cold air from the intake below the windshield wiper.
If I have to disassemble the dash to gain access to the vacumm elements, I definently am not going to that effort and not replace everything that is exposed.
I've purchased three sticks of dynamite for disassembly.
If you see a glow in the southern sky, it's Little Ole Me.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman in Houston!!!


[Edited by dlswnfrd on 06-22-2001 at 07:05 PM]