w124 blower works well except on screen

[howeshouse]

I have a '95 280TE 145,000 miles and most things work as they should. But I have a challenge with the aircon/blower - the fan works very powerfully on all speed settings, but whatever the position on the rotary selector I get almost no air onto the screen at all (it comes out of all the other outlets without a problem). There is the smallest airflow onto the driver's side of the windscreen, and nothing at all onto the passenger side - I can't find anything to help with this in any of the manuals that I have, so I am hoping that one of you can point me in the right direction!

 

[Bolide]

W124 blower

There's lots of "stuff" under the dash of a W124 and about 90% of it appears to be HVAC. If you're getting air out of some outlets and not others I'd suspect either a linkage has dropped off or a valve isn't working

I've never got to the bottom of these systems, mainly as it's a dash-out job. Depending on what system you have (regular 2-dial no aircon, 2-dial with aircon or climate control with one heat dial) you may be able to get some diagnosis off a Star machine at a dealer or independent. If you can't I don't think there's any alternative to pulling the dash

It's doable as a DIY job or ask an independent specialist. But be prepared for lots of labour as it's quite involved

If anyone comes across a real W124 Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning expert please do let me know. Ditto a sunroof man!


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[LNM]

There's a picture on this forum somewhere of a dash-out job.

Its suitable for inclusion on rotten.com

 

[howeshouse]

w124 blower

thanks - I followed the photographic record of the dash removal and don't think I am feeling strong enough to try that for myself! Encouraging bit may be that the windscreen vents on Keith's car at least seemed to be connected by mechanical links rather than vacuum elements, but I think I am going to be visiting an independent repairer sometime soon. It's a whole lot easier on my Rover P5B!!