w211 air con / heater problems

[Jon51]

The air con / heater seems to have a mind of its own. During the last few days the air con works fine for 10 minutes and then appears to switch itself off.
Switching between Auto / Manual makes no difference. In the manual mode adjusting the fan speed makes no difference. The lights on the dial light up but the fan isn't running. Everything gets hot including me in this weather. A few minutes later everything starts working OK.
The same problem happens intermittently in the winter with the heater. The car (Sept 2003) will run out of warranty soon. Already had several visits to the dealer but the problem still exists - Any ideas or has anyone else had a similar problem

 

[GJP]

I experienced almost identical problems with my last BMW - a 525d.

On that car stealer reckoned it was down to a faulty unit in the bottom half of the centre dash area that senses the in-car temperature etc.

May be similar on MB.

 

[television]

The air con / heater seems to have a mind of its own. During the last few days the air con works fine for 10 minutes and then appears to switch itself off.
Switching between Auto / Manual makes no difference. In the manual mode adjusting the fan speed makes no difference. The lights on the dial light up but the fan isn't running. Everything gets hot including me in this weather. A few minutes later everything starts working OK.
The same problem happens intermittently in the winter with the heater. The car (Sept 2003) will run out of warranty soon. Already had several visits to the dealer but the problem still exists - Any ideas or has anyone else had a similar problem

I think that you should log this fault with MB so that when the warrenty runs out it will be fixed free of charge, MB fans are not a good point in genral, but you have so many things, there are ways of finding these faults.

Malcolm

 

[jberks]

I'd second Malcolm's comment.
You want written assurance from the dealer that as the fault has been reported within the warranty period, they will continue to investigate until fixed under the existing warranty. You should not be penalised for their inability to diagnose it.

I'd also be asking for a fix plan. If they can't diagnose it for certain, then they should be starting to replace things on a most likely candidates basis. Not sure on the 211 as mine has been fine, but on the 210, the most common cause of such things was the fan regulator. I'd change that, then the control unit and finally the fan itself - but it's up to the dealer - just ensure you're not picking up the bill.

 

[Jon51]

Thanks for the suggestions. The next visit to the dealer is on 7 August. I will post the outcome.