I see many AC threads, none exactly like what I am experiencing. AC normally works great, blowing ice cold air. Once in a while (maybe 2 starts out of 10), the compressor doesn't engage (I can tell by the sound when it is engaged), and I get no cold air. Then usually next time I go to use the car, it works great again. I am guessing that system is charged and compressor is working since when it works, it works great. But what would cause it to not engage periodically? What is best way to troubleshoot?

My thoughts are a relay going bad, or a permissive switch (lo or hi pressure) not working intermittentaly.

Any thoughts? Thanks so much.

Same problem here (95 E320). Mine get's "tired" after 3 to 4 hours of continuos use and gets back to life If I let it rest for about 15 minutes. I'm sorry I don't have the answer but i will subscribe to this post to see If I get a solution too.

Juan

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Juan
1995 E320 Sedan
2008 Ford Escape
RC Helicopter

Requires voltage pin testing (MAS relay) when the system is not working correctly.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Thanks MB Doc, I have multimeter, but can you describe what pins, what voltage, etc? Thanks again.

My 1986 300E had similar symptoms. There is a high temp sensor that will disengage the compressor. If the sensor is faulty the compressor will shut off and will not engage unless the engine is shut off and restarted.

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'86 300E 5 speed
'71 Triumph TR6
'46 Cushman Scooter
'41 Ford 9N tractor

treiberg,

Did you ever fix your ac problem? I seem to have the exact same symptoms, and I'm hoping this isn't an expensive fix.

About three weeks ago my ac didn't come on one day, but was fine next time I started it up. Today it won't engage and I can't seem to get it to. Normally it's ice cold and works perfectly.

I did replace the OVP relay about a year ago to fix an ac and tach problem. Tach works fine at the moment.

Thanks

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Also check your belt tension or the quality of the belt. If the belt slips at all, the compressor will be disengaged until the engine is restarted. Mine used to do that, especially if/when I drove through a puddle or if it was raining out. I never heard a belt squeal or anything. After tightening properly, the issue disappeared.

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

Still haven't solved this one yet. I don't think the belts are slipping, but I will check that. Here's what I have discovered: If I start my car with the AC off, then drive the car a little bit, then turn the AC while driving, it almost always comes on (about 8 times out of 10). So I have kind of learned how to deal with it, but I would really like to solve it. I would love to find a document or thread that gives a step by step on how to troubleshoot an AC system, or some type of troubleshooting flow chart. Maybe someone out there with knowledge of these Mercedes AC systems can put something together for all us who struggle with these issues.

Send me a e-mail & I will supply you a pin test for the MAS relay.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

I was thinking that I had a freon pressure issue -- too low, too high, something. But here is what mine does.

1. When it works, it works fine.
2. It typically doesn't work unless I am at 30-40mph for at least a minute or two.
3. However, even on interstate it won't stay on consistently.
4. In the mornings when it is cooler outside it works great, which I would expect. This morning it was about 73* outside and the thermometer in the car showed 38 degrees out of the vent. It worked from the time I started it, with slow stop/start driving all the way through the interstate. Diagnostic showed the evap temp at 31 degrees (!?!).

I'm thinking I have some sort of sensor or switch problem as well.

(On the other hand, freon bar pressure is about 20 when at idle and at about 9-12 when at speed. Which, from the very little I do know, confuses me greatly.)

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1994 C280, dark green metallic
105k miles

1991 190E 2.6, Black
191,500 miles
(sold to another forum member)

2003 Chevy Tahoe LT, Redfire Metallic
105k miles

1989 Mustang GT Cobra Convertible
43k miles

For what it's worth...

I did get the A/C working again. Not sure exactly what it was, but there were two things I did that may have helped.

1. I jostled the OVP relay around a bit. My tach has been fine, so I doubt this is it.

2. I snapped the temperature sensor back in place (number 182). I had replaced the dust filter just before my problems started, and hadn't put it back in place properly, though it was still plugged in.

We'll see if it happens again.

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Hello,
I have a problem where my compressor starts and runs for a few minutes making cold air. Then the Aux fan kicks on and it runs a few minutes. Then the Fan Clutch kicks out and won't cycle again unless the car is stopped and started again. Do you think this sensor is the problem? What is it called and where is it at?

Thanx!

Les
'88 300TE

Two words - wiggle test.

Sometimes it's just dirty contacts.

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A.S.E Tech A1,A6,A7,A8 & MVAC 609 + EPA 608

Unless stated otherwise, any question I ask is about my greymarket 1985 380SEL.

Here I am one year later and ready to start more diagnosis on this problem that prompted this thread.

The interesting part is that it does not appear to be a cutout issue (like I originally thought). I can clearly see the compressor spinning, but there is no cooling. So that would point to either a bad compressor or low refrigerant. But here’s the kicker, every so often that AC will blow cold again, really cold. So that means I must have refrigerant. This happens almost every day at some point in driving the car. But I've noticed that it is less and less as time goes by. So my question is, is it possible that the compressor compresses intermittently? Would something internal in the compressor (like valves sticking) cause it to work great at times and not at all at other times? I suppose I am looking at a new compressor.

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Treiberg's Collection: 1981 240D, 1985 300SD, 1992 300E, 1997 E300D, 2005 C230K

Cut a 1 Centimeter square of light paper and hold it near the grille next to the inside rear view mirror. If it does not stay in place when you take finger away while the ignition is in the on position, find and check your sample blower motor.