Just purchased a 1992 300SE -- HELP!
 

I just purchased a '92 300SE and i have the following problems:

1. I replaced the batteries in the key remotes (the windows were down to test the feature that closes the windows by using the remote) and now the back windows are frozen fully open and will not go up. They move a tiny amount but that is the only response to the buttons on the doors or the buttons on the console. What did i do and how do i fix this?

2. The heater controls are not working properly. Unlike the other posts i see on the board i cannot get hot air at all. In fact the drivers side wont produce any warm air while i can manage to get the passenger side to produce barely warm air. Thoughts?

3. The car doesnt really seem to warm up (bought it from florida) and i suspect that this and my heater problem may be a result of a bad thermostat (stuck open). Could this be?

4. After replacing the batteries in the remotes (causing problem 1) only one of the remotes seems to work. Do these ever go bad?

5. The sunroof needs a little help to get to the flip up mode. Is this related to a common problem and is there an easy fix?

6. The headliner is sagging in the rear of the car. I puchased a can of 3M Adhesive spray -- any easy way to get access underneath? Im going to try to remove the rear interior light but can seem to figure out how to remove the rear vanity mirrors?

7. Final question -- Does MS USA maintain central records of the maintenance history? I'd like to call them and find out about the service history if it is available.

Sorry fo asking so many questions and thanks for your help -- this is a great board!

Bob

A bad thermostat is about the only thing I can think of that will prevent the car coming to operating temp properly. Replace it.

Lack of heat can also be a bad thermostat, but could be a number of other things. Assuming this is a W126, try pulling the plug to the monovalve (behind the firewall near the center of the car). You should get full heat, reguardless of what the climate control is set for. If you don't, it is stuck closed. They usually fail open, though.

Otherwise, it is mostly likely either the pushbutton control unit or a bad temp sensor.

The sunroof is most likely a lack of lubrication. You will need to use the MB sliding sunroof paste, about $50 for a 1 lb can, will last forever, or have it done by a shop that will use the stuff. Nothing else works as well, and in fact the wrong lube will cause more trouble later. The worst case senario is that you have a broken lift angle that will need to be replaced. Search the posts on sunroof problems.

Peter

Thanks for the advice. This is a W140 with automatic climate control -- does that make a difference?

Bob

Yes, it does. I don't know much about the W140 (except that I want one!).

Sunroof is probably similar. Climate control may be fully electronic, may be the same as the W126, I don't know.

Peter

Hi Bob The answers to your questions are as follows. 1. Rear window regulators were/are a common problem on the w140. I don't know why they both failed at the same time unless they were rigged to stay up at some point. 2 & 3. Yes, a stuck open thermostat will cause this. Try this for a quick diagnosis. With the settings on EC ( A/C compressor off ) and asking for heat, cover the grille to restrict air flow over the radiator. After a few minutes the coolant temp. should come up a little. After the temp is up to normal see if you have hot air at the footwell, side, and defrost vents. If you do then the thermostat is the culprit. 4. Yes, the remotes go bad. Look into the little red window on the front while holding the button. After a few seconds the red LED should flah once. If not it's probably no good. 5. Lubing the sliding jaws of the sunroof is part of regular maintenance. If the vehicle was maintained someplace other than a dealer, it may not have been done for a while. 6. I've never seen a "sagging" headliner on a 140. DON'T use spray adhesive. These headliners are not glued in place. Have your local dealer find out WHY it's sagging!!! I'm thinking maybe related to the sunroof problem from a prior repair? Have it checked. NO GLUE!!!

7. Any dealer should be able to provide you with a Vehicle Maintenance Inquiry or VMI. This will show all the work done on the vehicle while it was under warranty. It will also tell you who the selling dealer was. They can tell you about any other work performed at that dealership. Enjoy your car!

Thanks for the advice -- will try and see what happens. By the way i got the windows to go up. Checked the owners manual and there was a procedure to reset the remotes if the battery is changed so i disconnected the battery and followed the procedure and it worked out perfect.

Too late on the glue -- i bought a can of 3m trim adhesive which is made to fix hedliner -- removed the rear light and the vanity mirrors - sprayed the glue and used a rubber roller from a craft store and its as good as new.