Dashboard clicking

[mercdriver25]

Hi guys,

Got a bit of a problem with my car (C270 cdi 2002). Since yesterday, strange clicking noise has appeared from behind dash. Only occurs after startup and click frequency is about every second.

It lasts about 2-3 minutes, after which all is OK. Can also happen during warm starts. Its getting very annoying and is quite loud.

I've searched the forum and it seems that this is quite a common problem with C-classes and it sounds like it may be one of the stepper motors/relay/vent flap cogs which is broken/faulty??

So....my questions are:

1. Has anyone had this problem and sorted it on the cheap? (other threads suggest that the dash needs to be taken apart - surely expensive).

2. Would mercedes cover this problem under 'warranty'? My car is not actually under warranty any more, but reading other peoples' entries, seems like this is a design fault by mercedes?

3. Some people have suggested breaking off the remaining part of the damaged motor/cog is a 'solution' - is this easy? Can someone tell me how? I'm a novice when it comes to things like this.

Any further advice/suggestions would be warmly welcomed.

Thanks

 

[Cole@MBS]

Theres a picture on my web site of how much has to come apart to replace the motor, nice job to do tho!!