My blower isn't working on my 1996 230E. The fault is identified as the Rheostat. The fan works fine if you bypass it. Mercedes say I have to buy a complete unit that is the Blower unit with the switch attached. The price, as you can imagine, is horrific.
My question is, where can a buy just the Rheostat? I have located one but if fits the Air Conditioned model not mine which is Climate control. So! My second question is, can I adapt the switch or is that a no! no!
I would appreciate any help.

You can not alter it for another Rheostat.
Buy the new one or search auto salvage yards for a good used unit.

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Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
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Thanks! I have checked all on-line parts people in the UK with no luck. A new unit in England costs circa $1,000 in your money. The car isn't mine, it's my Mothers. I just feel thats a shed load of money for an 82 year pensioner to find.

This is why I suggested you search auto salvage yards for a good used unit.

I have searched, we have an excellent system in UK for finding used parts. www.breakeryard.com is one of them but there are others. It looks like there isn't one to be had so I guess I will just have to fork out.... but it hurts

Check Germany...

Take your faulty part to an auto electrician or television engineer and ask if it can be repaired, you have nothing to lose ,"anything that has been made by man can be repaired by man".
Geo.