C-class heater/AC controller

I recently bought a 1997 C-280 but the AC doesn't work. I've been told I need a new/used controller for some $600+. Can anyone tell me what the controller looks like? Is it simply the unit with the fan control in the middle of the dash...or something hidden in the engine compartment? Does it contain a mcroprocessor or simply a bit-metallic strip with a switch?

Reply to
donnickell
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First of all... do proper diagnostic first. See what works and see what doesn't work.

Reply to
Tiger

If only your AC doesn't work then check the refrigerant pressure first.

Do a search online to see if there is a diagnostic method you can use to determine what is at fault for your model.

Reply to
Tiger

Thanks Tiger, that is the sort of ?? I was hoping for from you ;-)

Refrigerant has been checked and is OK. But I do wonder about the valve! I saw one on eBay of $5 and that made me wonder about that simple fix, but I can find it again. But no reason not to go to the dealer on that item. The outside temperature now is 0 (zero) and the next week it will be minus teens! When I tried to use it to clear off fog from the inside windows and found it didn't work.

Any idea where the temperature sensor is? Maybe I should simply wait until summer to try it again.

Any other suggestion would be appreciated!

Reply to
donnickell

What is happening on your climate control cluster? Is EC locked on... anything? I am familiar with newer model but not your model.

When you switch AC on... does your compressor spin?

At certain temperature, AC will not come on... especially at 0 degree F.

In winter,all you need is Defrost to clear up your windshield... which is full hot and high speed.

Computer rarely ever go bad... people who says ths is inexperienced or con artist. It is usually a evaporator temperature sensor inside the car that goes bad if equipped.

MB Dealer is your best bet to get this fixed at reasonable price.

Reply to
Tiger

What valve are you talking about? Schrader (maybe wrong spelling) valve or expansion valve? Schrader valve is on the charging port, similar to the valve you pump air into the tire. This part may be worth $5 but if the refrigerant is OK (not leaking) then this valve is fine.

The expansion valve is worth much more than $5 and the procedure is not usually simple, due to its location.

Always do a proper diagnosis before jumping to conclusion. A competent technician can easily find out what is wrong. Don't waste time and money by changing parts one by one.

When you say "it didn't work", what does that mean? No air coming out? Coming out at the wrong vents? Temperature not right? Is it hot or cold? What button did you press? We need more information to help you.

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote:

Reply to
Wan-ning Tan

First, forget what someone told you off hand and take the vehicle to your nearest Mercedes-Benz New Car Franchised Dealer service department.

Request an itemized written estimate of repairs including needed parts and prices.

The dealer advantage is access to a huge inventory of parts that are often barrowed by the dealer technicians to confirm diagnostic accuracy.

The result being you don't buy a bunch of unnecessary parts used to figure out what has actually failed.

Les

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Reply to
Les4Parts

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