Belt slip or bad compressor clutch (or failing compressor) is why the AC switches off. Could be a bad KLIMA relay, too, for that matter, but you will have to get that tested to make sure. Certainly, the first thing to check is the belt condtion, then the tensioner. If you have had a water pump or alternator replaced recently, likely the tensioner is no longer working and needs to be replaced.

For the heater controls, someone has been into the console and has swapped the connections. You can remove the dash panel by pulling the knobs off, removing the 24 mm nuts (I think that's the size), then removing the two screws on the bottom edge. The wood trim then tilts up until the hooks on top come out. The heater controls are screwed to the console and the switch bar.

The recirc normally only stays on for 5 min.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!