"Clicking Vents on start up" - No A/C

[Atrueguy]

I have a 2001 W203, C180 estate.

The EC light was permanently on so I took car in to local electricial and A/C specialist. They vac'd the A/C system, leak tested it and regassed and reset system. All worked fine for the first few weeks.

After 2-3 weeks the vent clicking came on when you start the vehicle. It lasts about 45 seconds then stops. Initially, the AC worked but now it has stopped although all the correct lights work when buttons are pressed.

I took the vehicle back in today, and the garage said that it has a AC leak (slow one which is why they didnt spot last time) and also, the condensor needs replacing. They have quoted me £400 which I am reluctant to pay given I have already paid them £133 for the earlier work.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thx. Phil

 

[Cole@MBS]

The clicking you have is a plastic gear broken on one of the stepper motors, common fault on the 203, some are easy to replace others are a dash out job,

as for the leak, that is common on most models due to things hitting the condenser!

 

[television]

You could replace the condenser your self if you are that way inclined

 

[Alex Crow]

good advice above.

fixing the clicking could cost as little as 2hrs labour and £5 parts, or as much as 8hrs labour + £120 parts and upwards! most are the cheap labour, with a few needing the £100 stepper motor too. a star test will pin down which flaps need attention.

 

[mercdriver25]

You could replace the condenser your self if you are that way inclined

I considered this for mine, but was told "its a b*stard to replace", by the a/c man..

 

[mercdriver25]

I have a 2001 W203, C180 estate.

The EC light was permanently on so I took car in to local electricial and A/C specialist. They vac'd the A/C system, leak tested it and regassed and reset system. All worked fine for the first few weeks.

After 2-3 weeks the vent clicking came on when you start the vehicle. It lasts about 45 seconds then stops. Initially, the AC worked but now it has stopped although all the correct lights work when buttons are pressed.

I took the vehicle back in today, and the garage said that it has a AC leak (slow one which is why they didnt spot last time) and also, the condensor needs replacing. They have quoted me £400 which I am reluctant to pay given I have already paid them £133 for the earlier work.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thx. Phil

I experienced this annoying clicking in my car. It lasted for about 4-6 months, and then gradually subsided by itself. I'm glad it did, as it was doing my nut in...