Did a search but did not find the specific answers I am looking for. I appreciate any help.

Car is 87 560SEL with 286,000 miles

Issues.
1. Recycle Air button is non functional. The indicator light does come on but does not prevent fresh air from comming in. If it is not an easy fix, I would just use something to block the fresh air from comming in but I do not know where is this vent that leads air from the outside to come in the vehicle.

2. How do I get the heat to come from the foot and floor vents? I have tried all different settings but just cant get the air to come out of the foot and floor vent.

Thanks

Sounds to me like you've got vacuum-related problems. The ports which open and close to redirect airflow within the cabin are controlled by the car's vacuum system. In your case, it's likely that there is either a vacuum leak or other related malfunction (i.e. a disconnected line, worn/dried out connector, failing vacuum pump) that's to blame.

Out of curiousity, are you experiencing any other vacuum-related issues such as power door/trunk locks not working, poor transmission shifts?

There's a ton of great info on dealing with these issues on this board, written by members far more qualified and experienced than I.

Good Luck!

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Eric

1991 560SEL-Euro (214,000 miles)
1989 420SEL (Retired from daily use at 325,000 miles; Use as donor vehicle)

Thanks for your reply Goldstone.

No I do not have issues such as power door/trunk locks not working or poor transmission shifts. But I do have a little rough idle which I think is vacuum related but that is another issue.

This is a great site. i am glad I've found it.

It could be the pods, or the control unit. You could test the pods with a mity vac, to see if they hold vacuum, by accessing them at the distribution strip.

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1989 420 SEL

Welcome to the Board.
I had the same issue with Air recyling function, it was not working. It was a POD (vacuum element), the recycling funciton pods (2 of them) are located right behind your glove compartment. You have to take the glove compartment out to access them. They open and close a big rectangular door on top of the blower motor. The diaphram could have been reptured on these pods, these are douple stage PODS ~$40 a piece.
As for as the heat to the floor vent is concern that is also another pod on the side of the center console, I believe it is on passanger side and it is a single stage pod ~ $25.00.

It is not a bad idea to check the vacuum system with mity vac, it could be as simple as lose vacuum hoses to the pods or as complex as 7 port vacuum control unit behind the dash.

If I were you I will take the glove compartment out first and check the vacuum connection (2 on each pod) to the recyl POD first, then do the mity vac test, and folow the leak.

Good luck and keep us posted.

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87 420 SEL
Looking for a nice mid 80's MB diesel.
87 BMW 528e (Sold)
99 TOYOTA 4Runner
1989 Honda Accord (Sold)
1988 Honda Accord (Total)

BIG THANKS BenzMatic!!! That's very helpful. I will try it and keep you posted.