E320 CDI Blower Motor & Regulator

[Jeremy E320CDI]

Climate control blower fan often does not kick in, or if it does it blows with very low power. Sometimes fan speeds up momentarily but then reverts to low or no speed. Air is directed on to windscreen and out of horizontal vents in each side of car, but I am unable to put warm air onto my feet (!), or through the dashboard centre vents.

I think fan speed problem is probably linked to failed blower fan + regulator, but not sure why I cannot change direction of air within the car.

Is this a job I can do myself, and if so where is best place to order parts? Dealer quoted £700 for blower fab + regulator!

 

[television]

When these units go down (Control unit) the fan reverts to default slow speed. The chances are that there is nothing wrong with the fan unit.

Malcolm

 

[jberks]

It does sound like the control unit if you can't change the direction of the vents. I too doubt that there is anything wrong with the fan. The regulator is the common failure where the fan on a 210 is concerned (I assume its a 210 and not a 211). Can't remember how much for the part (£125 comes to mind) and 20 mins under the dash to replace. Quite an easy DIY job.
Check the input voltage at the regulator to see if the controller is trying to increase the speed or not. If the switch voltage is static it will be the controller, if it goes up and down with the speed control (and the fan remains slow), I'd suspect the regulator. Certainly erratic fan speed is one of the regulators calling cards.

 

[television]

only offer I can make to you is that if you wish to post it to me I will try and repair it FOC so that I can put details on the forum.

Malcolm

 

[Jeremy E320CDI]

E320 CDI blower problem

Chaps - Thank you for this feedback which is greatly appreciated.

Malcom - I may very well take you up on your very kind offer!

What is the control unit - is it the actual auto climate panel on the dash board?

In my case (W210 E320 CDI Estate yr 2001) I can vary the blower speed but cannot reach full blower power, and higher blower speeds only remain for a few seconds then revert to lower speed. I also hear a low level 'vaccum type whirring noise' when I first get in the car before switching on the ignition. And I have absolutely no control over flaps or air direction which appears to have failed such that air is directed onto the screen and out of the dash side vents - as a result my feet get very cold!

So given that the fan will run (albeit slow) and I can vary it (albeit by a small amount and only for a short period of time), would this indicate the regulator is playing up? And if so would the regulator affect flaps and air direction?

Visited my main dealer today who very kindly printed a drg showing where the units are located (assume access is from within the car front passenger footwell?), and quoted £273+VAT for the blower and £166+VAT for the regulator.

Jeremy

 

[television]

One fault listed is contamination in inlet, below windshield from leaves, there are screws and clips holding the cover's, one each side. the reduced air flow stops the flaps from working. Check that out for now while I do more checks.


Malcolm

 

[jberks]

Yes, they are accessible from the passenger footwell. I replaced my regulator but I didn't have climate and the speed would vary erratically and there was a constant whistle.
However, as above, the reg is pretty easy to test. I dare say TV can give the voltages!
Also, check the filters, they can clog and restrict flow.

 

[mickbilly]

hi, I had similar problem recently on my c250 TD.
tried all sorts got lots of suggestions and help from members.
got a second hand fan motor, then second hand regulator. problem persisted.

fitted new brushes in motor, improved a little.

finally got some advice from a member who works in a merc garage who suggested a new fan motor got one from dronsfeild merc of oldham £95 works a treat.

apparently the pollen filter next to fan gets clogged with the result that fan speed is increased to full to feel any effect. this results in premature carbon brush wear which in turn damages the armature.
the only solution i found through much trial and error is a new fan( my second hand fan must have had same problem) and replace pollen filter regularly.
since i replaced mine i have to have the fan on lowest speed and temp control on almost air con otherwise i'm roasting.

the fan is easy to reach under the dash passenger side, easy job.
hope this helps.
p.s.,
if it does prove to be the regulator( attached to the fan) i have a spare one you could try.

 

[Jeremy E320CDI]

Chaps - Thanks for this feedback.

I plan to do some investigation on Saturday (no time in the week!) - remove blower fan, test regulator voltage, inspect filters, look for clogging etc and will let you know how I get on.

Car had a B service last week so filters should be clear!

You probably have this already but there are some useful manual diagrams on the following website:

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb0.asp?TP=1

My particular problem is at (auto climate):

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GA=722.626&CT=F&cat=66G&SID=83&SGR=045&SGN=01

Q: How easy is it it change the filters between the heater case and blower?

Jeremy

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

On 210 climate systems there are two panel filters, white oblong units on the blower inlet side.There are also two bigger charcoal activated units on the blower outlet side. You will need to remove the glovebox, (inlet filters) and dash undertray (passenger side below g/box - charcoal filters), to get at both sets of units.

Changed mine about a month ago. The inlet obviously hadn't been changed (45K) since the car was new and were absolutely disgusting, almost completely clogged. You wouldn't beleive the rubbish that came out.

Probably take about an hour.

 

[Jeremy E320CDI]

Found and removed the two activated charcaol units on the blower outlet side, but despite removing 6 screws and trying hard could not remove the glove box to gain access to the blower inlet filters! The charcoal filters were as clean as a whistle - but I think that may be because they haven't seen much air!

With the activated charcoal filters removed the fan ran beautifully and delivered plenty of air into the passenger footwell. Fan speed would also vary well with the control panel, and I could see / feel the activated charcoal filter flaps working. Therefore assume that the blower fan and regulator are OK. But there is a clearly incorrect 'suction noise' coming from around the blower unit.

Think my problem may therefore be blocked inlet filters or a vaccum leak which is preventing flaps from working.

Can anyone point me in the right direction on how to remove the glove box to gain access to the inlet filters?

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

The charcoal filters are activated so I guess they have a lifespan after which I would think they are not very good at removing pongs.

Anyway, instructions for removal of glovebox.

1) Open glovebox.
2) Unclip glovebox illumination and pull off connector
3) Remove the two blanking plugs at the bottom face of glovebox lining
4) Unscrew 6 screws - 2 front face - 2 upper lining - 2 from the blanking plug positions.
5) Pull glovebox out complete with lid
6) guide electrical wires out

Have fun!

 

[Bargain Bucket]

Are the two inlet filters obvious once the glovebox is out? I remember seeing Andy Gayle change them on our pre-facelift W210 but when I came to do our facelift W210, I couldn't find them behind the glovebox. Somebody told me that the only filters fitted on the facelft were the ones under the glovebox (as opposed to behind the glovebox) - part number 195 in the first diagram here

 

[Jeremy E320CDI]

Malcolm 210 - thanks for the instructions, managed to removed the glove box and inspect the two inlet filters. Both were pretty dirty so I will replace. Could observe the top of the fan working correctly, but was unable to get the flaps above the fan operate. Also there is a distinct suction / whirring noise from around the blower fan housing.

I think my problem maybe poor / leaking vaccum resulting in being unable to operate air direction flaps - any ideas on this most welcome!

Bargin Bucket - my car has auto climate so second drg down applies in my case which has two inlet filters (part 200) and two activated carbon outlet filters (part 210). You reference part 195 which as you say appears to have no inlet filter (perhaps it is elsewhere?) and only one activated carbon filter (part 195).

Q: Do the vaccum systems give problems in the heating system on W210 cars?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I think this fault diagnosis guide may help.

http://www.continentalimports.com/ser_ic40142.html

It certainly makes interesting reading. I guess unless you have a lot of experience with AC systems (which I don't), if the problem persists after filter replacement, it may be time to seek recommended professional help.

 

[Jeremy E320CDI]

Malcolm,

Thank you for this. It looks very interesting and I didn't realize that the control unit can be used for diagostics. I will have a closer look and let you know how I get on!

Apologies for not replying sooner - have been away.

Jeremy