99 C200 Ventilation Blower

[Lordnick]

I wonder if anyone can help please?

The blower on my 99 C200 is very intermittent. When not working at all or not blowing as it should do I have to give the circular switch a good push/waggle and it is starts blowing correctly for a while. Is this likely to be the switch or regulator (where would I find the regulator?)

I obviously am scared to take it to a dealer, and hope that one of you kind folks may have some constructive advice.

Thanks

 

[exoil]

I assume your C200 is a W202.

It is possible that the intermittent operation of the blower is caused by motor brushes being worn. I had this problem on my W202 a couple of years ago, symptoms were same - dealer tried to sell me both a new motor AND regulator - total in excess of £300. Dismantled the motor & found brushes very worn & arcing. Unfortunately Merc dont supply replacement brushes, as many others too have found. So the solution is a new motor (abt £150 I think - but may be wrong).

In my case took motor to local electic motor rewind shop & they had new brushes specially made which they fitted - cost abt £60. A lot for a pair of brushes !!! Still working fine - although its a 2nd car now, its still used every day.

As far as your Q abt regulator, it is screwed to the blower motor assy, which in turn is located in the passenger footwell, below the glove box - not difficult to remove, but you do need a set of torx spanners. There is info on the web on how to access the blower / filter etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[Wezzel]

I had exactly the same problem. Take out the switch assembly (with the two rotary knobs on it) and split the casing by prising up the locking tabs. Then squirt switch cleaner (available from electrical shops) into the small switch component at the end of the blower switch shaft and rotate the switch back and forth a few times.

I did this over a year ago and mine is still fine. I think the problem is that people generally leave the switch set at their favorite setting for most of the time and the contacts get dirty. It's a good practice to twiddle the knob around now and then to give it a clean.

Edit: This is how to get the thing out.

remove the radio.

Undo the two screws under the radio (at the top of the storage hole).

pull the two knobs off the heater and blower switches (make a note of which way the knobs are pointing).

The trim panel, with the switches, should then pull off.

If I remember correctly, there are a couple of screws holding the heater switch assembly in place.

Pull out the switch assembly and disconnect the multiplug.

Take the whole thing indoors and carefully separate the switch housing by sticking a screwdriver in the locking tabs one by one.

Spray the little round switch thingy (technical term - you probably won't understand) with contact cleaner and give the knobs a good twiddle back and forth.

Re-assembly (as they say in the manuals) is the reverse of dismantling.

It is a bit fiddly getting the heater rods back into the switch housing when replacing but if you put your hand up through the radio aperture it can be done without too much trouble. Just make sure the knobs are facing the same direction when you put them back