New Battery--Then Big Problems??
 

For no apparent reason, the battery which had started the 95 E320 in colder weather than this failed to start it a couple of weeks ago--so took it out and replaced it with the battery from my parked Ford Explorer. It fit O.K., and this seemed to be fine, but then noticed for the 1st time the climate control wasn't working properly. It won't run the A/C, or at least not through the center vents, and won't change the destination of the airflow, regardless of the position of the buttons. Cannot get air to go to the floor. The temp wheel seems to be working fine, as is fan speed. Then the Explorer battery apparently boiled over and leaked some acid. Voltage with engine running, at idle and revving, is about 14.5, so assume the regulators ok--is the climate problem a coincidence? How do I fix?

Had you tried to "jump-start" the car after you replaced the battery?

Obviously, there is a problem with the replacement...check the voltage at the terminals with everything off (incl. the engine). That should tell you a little about the condition of the battery. 14.5V sounds like your charging system is operating as it should.

Perhaps the climate control mishaps are coincidental, but I would fix the battery problem first to see if the problems correct themselves...

Now has new MB recommended battery, electrical system operating correctly--I guess the other batt was junk. But now the climate control system!

I did jump the car the first time the original batt died and replaced with the Explorer batt soon after.