Hello All,
The A/C in my 1999 E300D stops working on occassion... I'll be driving and I can sense the compressor doesn't come on. It might be after 5 minutes or after 2 hours.

Once I stop the car, shut it off for 10 seconds, then re start, it works fine.

Any thoughts or anyone experience anything similar?

TIA
Neil.

Check belt tension. A loose or slipping belt will trigger the system to shut off the compressor to prevent damage.

You may need a new tensoiner if you are unable to improve the belt slippage.

Also see this thread...might be related.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=72627

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Cars after 1996 no longer monitor the belt for slippage!
Most likely cause is the evaporator temp sensor OR the refrigerant temp sensor.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
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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

Our 1998 E300D went through a few evap temp sensors. Common failure and the symptom is as you describe.

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Thanks GBenz, MB Doc, & Blackmercedes!

I had checked the belts, but tightness doesn't mean it wasn't slipping.

Is it easy to change the evaporator sensor? A DIY job?

Thanks,
Neil.
99 E300D
94 S350D
83 500SEC euro
79 406 Unimog

gone but not forgotten:
84 300D
84 300SD