If the ac isn't working disable the system electrically (might be on its own fuse) and disable the compressor mechanically - put on a different V belt. If you are not using it this removes one thing from the chain of things possibly going wrong =>

A seized compressor tends not to help with the functioning of other systems like the water pump, the power steering pump or the alternator...

PO already removed belt from compressor. I'll look into the electrical aspect.

- Peter.

Great stuff - you have at least one on looker that is rooting for a successful relationship between you and your new 240D...

...this WILL be a success!

Nice looking 240, no matter what the majority say...240D`s rule.:D

If the AC Compressor is kaput, this would be a good time to contact Rollguy and get one of his compressor brackets for the Sanden style Compressor.
I know how hot it get in Phoenix.

You should make it to 400K miles easy. we are up to 373K on our 80, and she runs like a top.


Charlie

The W123 climate control is all fed from fuse 8. Both the blower and the rudimentary A/C controls. If you pull fuse 8 you will lose your blower. Just roll the thumbwheel to the OFF position and you'll be fine.

Blower switch can be removed from the rear if you remove the knee bolsters and the glove box liner. Don't try to go in from the front, if you remove the front panel it will crumble in your hands and it is NLA.

That was a steal at that money...congratulations on the 240D!!

Aren't 240D AC bi-level like the 300D, where only the EC button shuts off the compressor, not the thumb wheel switch?

If by blower switch you mean the large rotary switch between the two left/right side heater switches? I have one I bought new for my last 240D which I never installed.

What is the Off position for the A/C thumbwheel? I've never had one that works so I have no idea.

- Peter.

Thank you. I think I finally got a good deal.

- Peter.

Given how well it seems to run I think getting to 400K is a reasonable expectation. As for the compressor. Yes. I do think I'll be contacting Rollguy when the time comes.

- Peter.

Thanks Stretch. It's been a long time coming.

- Peter.

So. My first major issue. Sort of... Car wouldn't start this morning. Had to take the truck into work. Not impressed! Turned out to be a bad battery. Bought a new one at Autozone for 190 bucks. Oh well. It wasn't entirely unexpected. At least I'll be able to drive the car into work again tomorrow.

- Peter.

Good to know if I am ever in need of a good chuckle I can come back to this one. Third time and it is still hilarious.

Actually. I have to say. This car has quite enough zip to not only keep up with traffic but sometimes even to pull ahead. I find myself actually having to back off on the throttle sometimes when there's a car in front of me that seems to be unaccountably slow. The auto 240D can be a dangerously slow vehicle based on a couple I've test driven. But with the manual transmission the car really does seem to take on an alter ego.

- Peter.

The 240D climate control is real simple.
3 knobs and 2 levers and an A/C switch on the top panel (where the sunroof, rear dome, rear defroster, antenna switches are).

Left knob - turns on and off the the heated water for the left heat core.
Right knob - turns on and off the heated water for the right heat core.
Both of these are all mechanical, they connect to Bowden cables that pull on the valves on the firewall. 240D had dual zone heat, very fancy!
Center knob is a hybrid electrical/mechanical switch. Between 6 and 9 o'clock this operates the fresh air flap. Closed at 6, open by 9. At 9 the blower motor gets switched on with both resistor segments in line (low speed). At 10:30 one of the resistor segments is bypassed (medium speed) and at 12:00 the entire resistor is bypassed (high speed).
The levers change the air flow direction between defrost, panel vents, floor vents. Strictly mechanical.
The A/C knob is a potentiometer that works with a thermostat bulb in the evaporator. It alters the duty cycle of the compressor to regulate the cooling and prevent the evaporator from freezing up. The 1st gen 240Ds had a rotary knob (axis of rotation perpendicular to the panel) and the 2nd gen a thumbwheel. At one end of travel (the OFF position) the compressor is disabled. At the other end (MAX), a vacuum solenoid is actuated and this closes the recirculation door.