Greetings:
I have removed the center console where the shifter is and the radio, climate console, switch panel and ashtray to refinish the wood. My A/C sometimes just blows out of the defrost vents. While I am refinishing the wood, I have easier access inside the dash; would anyone suggest components that I could replace or rebuild to get the climate control fixed? For example,there is a pink "thing" (servo?) behind the that has vacuum lines attached; could this be causing the problem? Are there typical items which cause climate control vacuum problems? I am also wondering if there are other (besides climate control) items that should be replaced or rebuilt?
Thanks,
John Sebastian

Given the age and mileage on your car; in the end it will probably require vac pod replacement. There are six of them as I recall. Do a diy search, it should result in a test procedure for the hvac vac system in the dash. Best bet is to just replace them all. The parts are relatively cheap, but the dash must be removed to change them out. When they start leaking the default mode is to defrost...
Fwiw I have always liked doing dash work, but pulling the dash in a W126 is somewhat tedious.........

John

Hi John:

Thanks for taking the time to post your response; I appreciate it!

Any chance these parts could be replaced without removal of the dash-I have removed all the center console up into the dash as well as the vents. The passenger knee bolster and footwell panels are also removed so I could service the climate control motor. I removed one of the "pink things" (vac switch?) with fairly easy access. Any further thoughts would be appreciated...

Gratefully,

John Sebastian

I'm about to dive into the removal of the pods myself; same symptoms as yours.

I'm fairly certain the defrost pod in behind the glove box, so dash won't have to be removed if you've got nimble fingers.

I'll check and let you know.

-Carlen

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1987 560SEL (210,000 miles)

When removing the pods be careful. I do not know if the under dash is completely the same as the sedan. The pods either have metals arms that fit into plastic connectors or round holes that snap on top of plastic connectors. The plastic can be very brittle after XX years. If a plastic connector breaks your only solution is to take the entire airbox out of the car, take it apart and replace the plastic bits.

I don't mean to scare you because people replace the vac pods without issue all the time. But after spending time going through my airbox in the past week I recommend being extremely careful!

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1984 300 SD 384,000 Miles

Recirc/fresh air door pods are behind the glove box... defrost is top right of center iirc..

John