Heater Gone Mental

[Brensbenz]

I?m newish to MB and brand new to this forum so be gentle!
The heating system in my 1999 W210 E200 has gone mental. I?m getting air from the correct vents but, with the fan control knob set to 5 (max), the output is barely enough to bend smoke! With the temperature wheels set to white or red I?m getting street air with a very occasional touch of heat if the wheels are set to max heat. With the wheels set to blue, the air is cooler (A/C compressor was replaced last year). When depressed, the EC button only lights when the fan control is at 3, 4 or 5. I?ve changed the pollen filter (on the advice of two MB dealerships), but to no effect. There does not appear to be any heat damage to fuses or holders.
I?ve checked this forum for advice (horrified to see how much trouble Mercs have with heating / cooling and the huge range of root causes!!!) Could the fan motor go into semi-retirement like this? Shouldn?t it either work or die? Is there a bank of resistors somewhere controlling the power to the fan motor?
Can anyone out there help? I?ve had more car problems in 14 months of MB ownership than in the previous 16 years and I need to fix this problem before my wife finds out and goes into her favourite mantras ?why didn?t you buy another Japanese car? Everything on ALL of your other Japanese cars worked EVERY time! Oh look, there?s a Japanese car. I bet its heater / air con / ignition keys / alarm / fuel gauge / steering lock / windows / etc. work properly. No, you can?t borrow MY Japanese car again.?

 

[Brensbenz]

OK guys! I know you?ve all been wracking your brains to solve my manic heater problem but, having reached Page 11 without a reply, it?s time I put you out of your misery. I?ve fixed it! Single-handedly! Here?s a How-To:
Sit in driver?s seat with engine running;
Turn fan control to Max;
Fit safety glasses;
Form a fist with left hand;
While uttering profanities, create an interface between fist and fan control;
Grab toupee (if applicable) before the sudden gush of air from vents blows it away;
Utter more profanities, but in a quiet, caring, inquisitive tone;
Remove facia, connections, apply contact cleaner, reassemble;
Saunter indoors, using a John Wayne gait, apply band-aid to knuckle, drink tea and nurture smugness.

Must be said though ? great forum! I?ve learned a lot from this forum about keeping Brensbenz running well. The contributors, including (b)Arnie, Guydewdney, Spike and teky are excellent, even better now that Olaf has taken to yoga and Landrover is up on blocks, at least until mid-term break.

Thanks,
Brensbenz.

 

[desrobinson]

I have a heating problem, see thread http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=7164

Perhaps your approach, minus the fist to fan control interfacing, might work for me.

What <a href="http://www.ntsearch.com/search.php?q=tools&v=56">tools</a> did you use for the <a href="http://www.ntsearch.com/search.php?q=job&v=56">job</a>. Did you follow a workshop manual or your instincts?

What advice would you give following your experience?

And finally, is the John Wayne Saunter essential?

Cheers[/url][/list]

 

[Brensbenz]

Hey Des,

I had seen your post but the symptoms were different so I didn’t pursue. Sounds more like duo-valve territory.
Mr. Haynes describes the disassembly of the front facia very well. No special tools needed – remove audio unit / radio and cage, if fitted. On the E-Class (not sure about your C200) this reveals two screws. Remove them and, with a little persuasion the facia comes out. Remove a couple more screws and the fan / vent control unit comes out. You now have access to the electrical connectors.
I didn’t see anything that might cause my problem but because Murphy said “eventually, all electrical connections don’t”, somebody invented contact cleaner.
Mr. Haynes describes the re-assembly of the vent controls as “an awkward operation”. Oh yes! Two articulated, square section rods slip into two tubes but you may have lost some blood by the time they go together. Use one hand to hold the unit and poke the other through the radio cavity and up to guide these rods. Try not to adjust the vent control knob or, at least, try to remember where it was before you started disassembly.
I often and instinctively use the swift fist technique. After all, it works on Onslow’s telly. When applied to the control knob, the ensuing gale and crispy insects from the vents told me that I had located the source of my problem. So the end justified the means.
Yes, the John Wayne saunter is obligatory, particularly if you sustained a flesh wound. If the above works for you, I’d like photographic evidence that you sauntered indoors,
Best of Luck,
Brensbenz.