300 E, What is this thingy??
 

In the passenger side of the dashboard of my 88 300 E , and under the vent grille next to the window there is a small part that looks like a motor. This part can only be seen if you take out the dashboard. Again, it is located under the vent output next to the passenger window under the glove compartment.
I came across it accidentally when I took my dahboard apart. There is a cable going to it so it looks like a motor. It also has a hose connected to it. I followed this hose and it goes up the passenger side A-pillar and up on the roof of the car.
I am very puzzled, does anyone know what is this thing??

I believe it is for your temp control system. It "snorkels" air through the temp sensor.

Haasman is right!
 

It is a motor that sucks air through the grill next to the reading lights on the roof. It sends the air to the AC controls to control automatic temperature. To do a quick test to see if it is working, take a small piece of tissue and see if it gets stuck on the grill. :cool:

Thanks !

You can also listen or feel it working when the climate control is on. When this motor fails (it's called the "aspirator motor") it often causes the cabin temp to vary widely.