'87 300SDL A/C clutch relay: Where the *#@!? is it?

According to the W126 shop manual on CD ROM the relay is mounted on the firewall. There is a picture and everything! But on the diesel there is just a rubber plug where the relay should be mounted. I've followed the wires to where the disappear through the firewall...up high and toward the center of the dash. YIKES!

By the way, my problem is this: After degreasing the rinsing the engine compartment the auxiliary cooling fan runs continuously and the A/C clutch will not engage. That sounds like the relay to me, but I'd love to have someone tell me it's something simpler.

-mickey

[stevebfl]

Well it may be just a story but you asked for a simple one; so here it is.

The possibility exists that you have open circuited the coolant temp sensor. The dual conditions of fans operating and A/C clutch not, combine to make me think that the controller thinks the engine is real hot. A condition that calls for high blow on the cooling fans and compressor cut-off. Sounds like a good story to me (bg).

BTW I thought the Klima relay was next to the ABS controller but that may only be on gas models. I'd have to look in the book.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

Thanks! I'll fool with the coolant temp sensors this evening and see what happens. In the meantime, any info on the relay location would be greatly appreciated. This has reached the level of a Quest! I'll find that relay or die trying!

-mickey

You're a genius! I disconnected the aux. fan wires from the temperature sender and presto! The A/C kicked on. Thanks! Now if I can just figure out how to put the dash back together.....

-mickey