I'm thinking the aux cooling fan is not working on my '79 450 SL. I read and tested in accordance with another post on this subject: Grounding the wire at the thermostat temp sensor switch results in 12 V at the two pin connector for the fan (right behind passenger side of grille), but no fan. So then, how to remove / replace / repair this fan.

Do I simply remove the diagonal bars in front of the radiator to remove the aux fan? And once out, can it be repaired? (I read one other owner was replacing the windings), am I better off looking for a replacement?

I'm convinced I really need this, as I have experienced the traffic jam anxiety attacks as the engine temp rises, and rises. And I'm working on restoring the operation of the Air conditioning...so that will really need it.

Any tips or directions to more detailed prior posts would be appreciated.

Stu

OK - Diagonal brackets are off...fan does not seem to fit out the front opening. Do I have to drop the a/c condenser from its brackets to fit the fan out???? I already have the radiator out, so it won't be too bad, but I can't believe it would take all that to get this fan out....am I missing something??

OK - Loosening A/C condenser was enough....fan removed, after some local electrical checkout found an intermittent open between the contacts. So I disassembled and it turns out one of the brushes was jammed. The other is on a spring and works fine, but the one is jammed all the way down.

Future reference, these brushes are VERY brittle...trying to pull / pry on it is not a good idea. I learned the hard way. Now I have a broken brush with the base STILL jammed at the bottom.

I take comfort (after abusing myself) in the fact that it's really jammed and I even in retrospect can't think of a more delicate way to get the still unreached amout of force to extend it. (Unless someone chimes in and says only one of the brushes is on a spring).

So I guess I'm looking for some scrap fan parts. If anyone has a junk fan that they took apart to get new windings, I could use the base part....any ideas??? Thanks in advance.

It sounds like you have figured it all out. I would guess that all MBZ single-fan aux fans use the same motor, so finding doner brushes should be a walk in the park.

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