Is there a "field" repair for restoring the backlighting to the LCD display on the console-mounted climate control panel? Also, what is the function of the red and green LED's (?) on the rearview mirror? The owner's manual doesn't seem to cover that. When I fired the car up one day, both lights flashed in an alternating sequence for roughly 30 seconds.

What year W210 do you have? Because of the red /green lights I suspect is a 96?

Hopefully means the battery in your remote is going bad and the infrared transmitter, door lock sensors and DAS (ignition) are not recognizing your key as they should.

Any recent problems locking doors or starting?

Can't help much with the CCU light other than to tell yo there is a LED in there that can go bad. Is removed with "radio" key type tools. The CCU itself is working OK, right?

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Thanks, Terry. I could've provided further details.

A '96 E320. The car belongs to my in-laws. I'll check the battery and re-sych it with the IR port in the mirror. See what that does.

The climate control is working fine - fan speed seems a bit slow on the high setting though. Even when both zones are in 'auto' it just doesn't seem to gust from the vents as it should. Well, as it once did.

That's typically caused by a failed blower regulator...there's plenty of information about that on the board. There are two fixes for that...one involves modifying a part made for the W140 chassis to work in the W210 as M-B no longer makes the "old style" regulator for the W210 and the other involves upgrading the blower and regulator to the current part which M-B has designated for the W210...which is a more costly option.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Have the two cabin filters behind the glove box been replaced in the last year. They may be restricting airflow to the blower.

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W210CabinFilter

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

There is a small bulb underneath the CCU that can be extracted and replaced. It is a 1.2W "286" bulb that can be purchased at most local parts shops - I picked up a 2-pack at AutoZone when I replaced mine.

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Scott C.

2006 E320 CDI (120k miles)
FOR SALE: 1998 E300 Turbo Diesel - Black w/Tan Leather - Euro delivery (236k miles)

Scott,Thank you. I will have a look for the bulb.

I'll also be looking at the replacing those filters.

I had to replace the bulb on my CCU. It's a thirty-second job if you have the tool (like a radio tool) to pull the unit out.

I also had to replace the voltage regulator on my AC blower. That took an hour or so. I did the W140 retrofit method, and a couple hot months later it's working fine. Part was expensive -- $250 or so, if I recall correctly.

Next up is dealing with those cabin filters -- I've never done them, and I have no idea about the prior owner.

Cheers, John

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'98 E300TD (W210) | Sold 6/09 with 205k and counting
'04 VW Touareg V10TDI

Anyone know of a thread that would reference the W140 mod for the blower? A part number would be helpful if anyone has knowledge of that.

While I suspect you will be SOL....do compare your chassis number and the cut off dates for the regulator on the Buy Parts tab above.

Not ALL W210's require retrofiting; some can be repalced with a new regulator.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

I see what you mean, Terry. With a number of J018977, it looks like I am, in fact, SOL.

So what, exactly, is the alternative then?

Thanks,
Tom

The option, if you have first confrimed your regulator is bad, is to purchase one from a similar year W140 and splice it onto your original W210 blower motor harness.

There are handful of tests to run depending upon which type of controls YOUR 96 uses to determine which item, if either, is bad. Search MattL's name and read his posts from the last 3 months to learn more.

In the mean time, you can monitor the blower motor speed (voltage) from the CCU by observing actual value item #10. Press and hold rest for 5 seconds to get into diagnostic mode and then using Auto buttons toggle to item #10. Press rest again to exit. Max voltage is 6.0; rarely operates that high except when using AC and first started with very hot interior.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

6.0 it is. In all CCU settings.

You need to run some tests to confirm. If fan is manually set to lower speed voltage should decrease substancially, as should fan speed. Problem could be the CCU....

You can apply 12 volts to the blower motor to confirm it works. Search MattL's posts for more.......

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Thanks, Terry. I'll do the research and run associated tests. Give me a couple days to see what I come up with.

Appreciate the help!