Good source for Climate control unit? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

HGV · #1 07-18-2003, 12:37 PM

I ourchased a rebuilt push button control unit from The Benz Store for $155. IT arrived and worked for two days then all I got was hot air. Returned it and they took it back and gave me a credit. Unfortunantly they are alll out of a push button control unit for my 1987 300TD and will not have another for a couple of weeks. Can't wait that long since the original unit in my car does not turn the A/C compressor and it is hot out here in the SF Bay area. Of course as luck would have it, we are having a heat wave.

Any suggestions of alternate source that does not charge to much?

Henry

Thomaspin · #2 07-18-2003, 01:21 PM

Try george_murphy@compuserve.com.

I got mine there. (300SD 1983).

lrg · #3 07-18-2003, 05:48 PM

Check EBay, there is a new one for sale.

W124 CCU on EBay

The listing doesn't say it works on the Diesel but it looks like the same. You may want to call them or better still cross check the part numbers on Fastlane. The auction ends this Sunday. Buying electronics on EBay makes me nervous but this might be OK.

I replaced the CCU on my '87 300D (124) this Spring. At the time BuyMBParts (800-741-5252) had the best price, $250 plus $50 core charge for a rebuilt. It was rebuilt by ProgRama (800-668-8843) who claims to sell only through retail outlets. The rebuilt units have a 3 year warranty. You may want to call them to see if someone local carries them. Make sure you buy the unit for the 124 chassis, they are different than the 123 units. I found the 124 units harder to find and more expensive.

***BEWARE*** I strongly suspect that my CCU was fried by a frozen (seized) coolant circulation motor. Check to be sure yours is good before you put in a new unit. If you run power directly to the pump motor (you'll find it right under the windshield washer fluid bottle) from the battery the motor should run smoothly. You can feel and hear it if the engine is off. Many of us have wired a fuse in the power line on these pumps and you might want to consider doing the same. I'm not sure you really need those pumps in this climate anyway. My understanding is that if the pump fails it overloads the CCU and burns it out. My experience would tend to support that theory. Good luck!

LRG

lrg · #4 07-18-2003, 06:02 PM

HGV,
Just checked out the ProgRama website and it looks like the unit on EBay will NOT fit your car. You may want to double check. However, they list a dealer in Oakland where you may be able to get another unit.

A&F Imported Parts
510-658-8175

Also, in case you need it:
ProgRama Website

Hope this helps.

LRG

edit: This is interesting. Not only is there a CCU unique to the '87 diesel, it appears the story about the aux. circulation pump is accurate. Check out this site:

Info on 1987 300d CCU

Download the PDF file for part # 124 830 1885 (41885)

HGV · #5 07-18-2003, 06:06 PM

Thanls for the info. THe ebay lisitng os not for Diesels. THere is something differnet about the diesel climate control unit. I will check the aux coolant pump motor. I think it is fine being that my exisitng unit works well on heat. Just no signal to the compressor. The rebuilt one turned the compressor on but kept heat on full. I guess I am just prone to being hot this summer.

Henry

lrg · #6 07-18-2003, 06:13 PM

Henry,
The pump is intended to aid circulation in very cold climates when the engine is idling. Unless you are in those conditions it's unlikely you'll even know it's not working. I unplugged mine when I put in the new CCU and everything (including heat) worked normally.

HGV · #7 07-18-2003, 07:59 PM

Thanks for your help.

I looked at the Programa web site, called the local distributor, and they had the part in stock for $225. Took the old one out of my car, jumped on BART, got the part, turned my old one in so no core charge and I am back in my office in under 1 hour.

Time from posting to part in hand: 7-1/2 hours

This is a great forum.

Thanks again

Henry

lrg · #8 07-19-2003, 12:55 AM

Cool! (every pun intended) Just be sure to check your aux. coolant pump before you plug the new CCU in.

mrdhh · #9 07-20-2003, 10:48 AM

If you just need the push button part (the whole thing with wires) I have an extra one since Enrique says mine is fine.I took it out of a 1985 300 d wagon with 135k miles.Wagon got nailed right passenger side.Whatever is fair price (I trust you guys-if it weren't for you,Kitten-1985 300d all original would be at the graveyard due to my local authorized Mercedes Benz dealer-whose franchise at present time is in immediate jeopardy).Thanks as well as I have Carfax till August 4th if need be.

HGV · #10 07-21-2003, 07:49 PM

Thanks for the offer. Your car has a different unit and would not fit my car. Thanks for the offer.

Henry

bodyart27 · #11 07-22-2003, 10:05 AM

I think the web site is programainc.com in Florida.

The first unit I got through my local parts dealer seemed to have a short in the thermostat wheel - it sure made a lot of clicking. The shop working on my A/C at the moment (OMG it's going to be a hefty bill!) said it was bad. I talked to the tech at programa and overall a good experience. He faxed over a tip sheet for troubleshooting for my mechanic and issued a RMA # to send back the unit for another. Took a week (monday - monday) for the ship / return. They come with a 2 or 3 year warranty I believe.

They are installing the replacement unit today so I hope everything is working well!

The second thing that bugged me was that the center button (normal a/c) in the row of horizontal selection buttons was installed upside down. Not a big deal until you turn on your lights at night. With the button upside down it leaves a big deadspot in your CCU cluster, which irked me since I had spent a lot of time replacing bulbs in the dash and reconnecting the octopus so the shifter illuminated again. The tech said you can use a set of pliers and pulled the button straight out if needed.