Benz Magic Defrost Lever - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

80's old school · #1 02-06-2009, 07:55 PM

OK, some of you purists will say..."why don't you fix it correctly". My defrost stays on ALL the time. I soldered the CCU, checked the vacuum element, still can't make the defrost work right.
In todays economic condition, I don't want to put $$$$ into repairing this problem "correctly".
I removed the vacuum element, plugged up the vacuum lines, and rigged up this contraption.
Look closely....it is a metal arm that holds the glove box door on a 123!!! It connects to a rod that goes up to the defrost door. When you want defrost, slip the lever up. When you want it off....put the lever down!!

WORKS PERFECT!!!! Whadayathink???

LNGfish · #2 02-06-2009, 08:09 PM

OK OK OL you caught me!!

I got to admit I did something like that couple years ago but my job was in some respects not as good as your Rig but in other respects better.

Better: Mine is operated from inside the glove box so you don't see it.

Worse: I did not use certified MB parts like you, I used a old coat hanger!

Results: I can operate my defrost damper and get it open. Before it did not work. That other stuff is not worth fixxing in my opinion since I'd mess something else up.

What I did is easy to see for the next guy who may know more!!!

It is sort of like a James Bond car now with a hidden coat hanger loop in the glove box.

I tell folks never to open the box and pull the lever!!!!!!!!!!!

"Works fine last long time"

LNGfish · #3 02-06-2009, 08:10 PM

Anybody can fix it the right way.

Newfiedogs · #4 02-06-2009, 08:12 PM

Does it come in a kit with instructions...

SurfRodder · #5 02-06-2009, 08:17 PM

Hey, it works. And if you like it, isnt that all that matters... In the future, you can get all the bits/parts to do a full manual climate control swapover from a 240D(quite easy actually) and it'll be even better.

Jeremy5848 · #6 02-06-2009, 08:33 PM

Clever.

LNGfish · #7 02-06-2009, 08:52 PM

Most of the other stuff works fine and I'm low on coat hangers anyway.

sixto · #8 02-06-2009, 09:03 PM

You didn't just fix it, you made it better!

Sixto
87 300D

80's old school · #9 02-06-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

You didn't just fix it, you made it better!

Sixto
87 300D

You know...I kinda agree. Now I can add defrost in ANY mode setting on the CCU. Another cheap easy mod I did. For you that have their center vents never blowing... I put a drywall screw into the side of the vent behind the dash. Pull the glovebox out...put a long screwdriver into the vent and open the flapper....screw the screw into the plastic to hold it open. Now some may call this "rigged" I call it genious. I fixed a major Benz engineering flaw. Now I can have air out of my center vent when "I" want it....not when the CCU wants it. Just like the Magic Defrost...I am in control. WHen you don't want the center vent...just close them off on the dash... no fuss...no muss!!

80's old school · #10 02-06-2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LNGfish

Anybody can fix it the right way.

yep...just costs $$$$$$$$$$$$

80's old school · #11 02-06-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newfiedogs

Does it come in a kit with instructions...

No, just a redneck design. I took the end piece of the vacuum element and cut it off. Drilled a small hole in it. Placed the wire through the hole and soldered it into place. The wire is a little smaller than a coat hanger wire (actually lawn mower throttle cable) Ran the wire down and hooked it to the lever. In this case a piece of an old glove box rod. It could be anything. It really works well!!