One more A/C question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sublettm · #1 12-06-2002, 08:52 PM

This problem has probably been asked before but I can't seem to find the solution to my exact problem when I use the search feature, so here goes. When I have my air conditioner on, I get no cold air out of the center vents. In fact, I get no air out of them at all. I had my car in the shop this week to get the motor mounts and transmission mount replaced and asked my mechanic about this problem and he informed me that the "bellows" behind the dash were bad. I looked in my performance products catalog and could not find this part that he spoke of. First off, is that indeed my problem and if so, where can I locate this part?Second, if that is indeed my problem and I can acquire the part, is this something I can tackle myself, or is this better left to the pros? All of the symptoms I saw when I searched the threads for center vent problems, concerned people not having any hot air coming out of these vents and it turned out to be a bad monovalve that needed repair. I do not need my A/C right now, but would much rather work on it in the winter months than June when it is already hot. I must also mention that I still get plenty of cold air out of the side vents and out of the vents that blow up onto the windshield.

On a different note, my car felt like a brand new one after I got those motormounts and transmission mount replaced. Had I known that it would feel like this, I would have replaced them months ago when I found out they were bad. I don't remember one of these cars ever feeling this smooth and I have been riding in 123's for close to 15 years.

Any help on the above mentioned problem would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Mike

engatwork · #2 12-06-2002, 09:12 PM

On my 300D I found the "pin" gone that connected the center vent damper door to the vacuum actuator. Take a real bright flashlight and look down into the center vents. I was able to put a tie wrap through where the pin had been and this fixed it. Anyway, you should be able to see it and the connecting linkage. See if it moves when it is supposed to. If it does not then you will want to check the vacuum to the actuator. If it works then your problem is elsewhere. If it does not hold vacuum then it is the actuator. I don't see anyway to replace that actuator without removing the dash and if you do that you may as well replace them all. It is a doable job by a competent diy'er and it will be expensive to pay someone to do it.

sublettm · #3 12-06-2002, 09:18 PM

So my mechanic wasn't feeding me a line when he told me he would have to take the dash out to do the repair. Yikes, I can honestly say that I have never taken the dash out of one of these cars and am not looking forward to doing so. In fact, I will have to do it twice since my other one has the same symtoms...lucky me. I guess there isn't any way to access this part by removing the glove box and reaching in? I probably couldn't be that lucky.

Mike