I need one, I think. Mine works great for 15 minutes, (usually) then goes to full-on heat.

Who sells these or does rebuilds?

Um, Cheap...


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-Steve

Why! MercedesShop PartsShop of course. How cheap? How about FREE tech help and you buy a part or two from us?? I like this....
You can send in a parts request to the left of your screen and we will have you one in 3-4 days (sooner if needed).

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Mercedesshop.com is doing a great service to all of us with this website. I just found it myself and have not since had a need to order parts, but I'm sure their competitive. Somehow it doesn't seem very fair to them to get all the tech support from them and their members, and then use their media to solicit "best price" information.

As for your climate control, what model are you working on? On the 124 and later cars, large and small, the symptoms you describe do indicate that the amplifier is very possibly the culprit. Follow the instructions that come with the amplifier and check the resistance in the hot water valve and auxiliary circulation pump circuits to prevent damage to the new amplifier, and I'm sure that Mercedesshop can provide you the technical assistance as far as resistance measurement values for use with an ohmmeter. Problems with the hotwater valve and/or the auxiliary circulation pump can cause damage to the new unit. Be dilligent with your tests.

Good Luck

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Good point on buying from MercedesShop.

You mention the amplifier. Where is it and to what instructions do you refer? I have no instructions.

Are you suggesting I buy the amplifier in lieu of the PBU? I have no sophisiticated MB diagnostic tools and the cost of professional diagnosis will well cost more than the parts.

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-Steve

Steve,

You did not mention what model you're having trouble with. On my 300E the amplifier is contained within the pushbutton unit. A sheet comes with the unit which gives you resistance readings at various pinouts for testing the system. You can make these tests with an ohmmeter, you don't need specialized MB equipment.

I would expect that MBShop would provide this sheet to you as technical support. If they are kind enough to provide a copy of the troubleshooting sheet that comes with the unit for you to troubleshoot with, it would be fair to purchase the unit from them should you need a new one.

On the 300E, you remove the woodtrim panel from around the pushbutton unit, then remove the pushbutton unit. Disconnect the connectors to the unit. Use an ohmmeter at these connectors to test everything going to the unit, especially the auxiliary pump and the hotwater valve. If they test okay, replace the unit.

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

larry: on my 260E, i usually hear a girgling sound like water everytime i switch on the climate control unit, and whenever it seems the unit tries to maintain a set temperature. what does this sound indicate?
thanks

Joel,

As long as the system is heating and cooling properly, and the engine is maintaining proper cooling temperature, I wouldn't worry about it too much. However, I would want to know that the cooling system is filled and working properly.

I leave the Climate Control on all the time, and just set the temperature where I want it and forget it. There's really no need to turn the unit on and off.

Good Luck,
Larry

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles