Newbie Aircon question.......

[Jonathan_T]

I feel a bit silly asking this but will ask anyway.............

Would my 2001 C Class have aircon / climate as standard? in this warm weather I've noticed the air coming out of the vents is not very cool so suspect either:

A) I haven't got aircon

B) It's broke

C) It needs re-gassing...

I'm hoping it's C.

Thanks all in advance

 

[Ted]

Does it have a button marked 'EC'?
If it does, you have aircon.
Is it illuminated? if so your aircon is OFF.

 

[BlackC55]

It probably has a leak from the ac system.

 

[steve333]

Does it have a button marked 'EC'?
If it does, you have aircon.
Is it illuminated? if so your aircon is OFF.

Are c classes aircon operation the opposite of a cls because when my EC switch is illuminated the air con is on?

 

[StevenN]

EC stands for economy so Aircon Off if the light is on.
If yours works the other way then something is wired wrong

 

[Jonathan_T]

Does it have a button marked 'EC'?
If it does, you have aircon.
Is it illuminated? if so your aircon is OFF.

You've hit the nail on the head, the EC button wasn't on. Severe case of RTFM on my part

Thanks for the swift responses

 

[manalishi]

Been there, done that, too.

Severe case of RTFM on my part

Severe case of FUTM on Mercedes' part. It's about the daftest approach I've ever seen for AC on a car, and they'd been doing it that way for years.

 

[npuk]

Are c classes aircon operation the opposite of a cls because when my EC switch is illuminated the air con is on?

Same on mine.

EC stands for economy so Aircon Off if the light is on.
If yours works the other way then something is wired wrong

Actually it is the opposite way round on the newer cars. My cars a 2008 and AC is on when the red light is on, and this is correct as the user manual also states it is on when the light is on.

Probably changed it because the old way used to confuse people as one would expect it to be on when the light is on.

 

[Jonathan_T]

Ah....so EC light OFF = Aircon on............ That is confusing and also means that as per original post I fear mine may need regassing or some TLC as the air it's pushing into the car is suspiciously similar to the temperature of the air outside

(PS, Sorry for putting original post into wrong section and thanks to the Mod that moved it )

 

[Stratman]

Historically Mercedes expect the driver to use the aircon. The EC stands for 'Economy' mode, switching off the A/C and when lit is warning the driver he's not getting the full benefit of Mercedes engineering.

 

[rf065]

Historically Mercedes expect the driver to use the aircon.

I've turned mine off on the odd occasion and could find no benefits, my mpg figures did not go up that I could notice but my windows would steam up. Now I don't bother and leave it on constantly.

Russ

 

[johnsco]

I have had the same problem with switching EC on and off ... Windows steaming up.
I tend to leave it on these days.
Seems to make no discernable difference to the fuel economy on the E300TD.

 

[mattyv33]

I was going to post about this but might aswell say it here - I have a W210 2001 and I can't seem to get cold air at all!

I have tried pressing the EC button on and off and nothing changes, could it be that I need to regas the air con?

Cheers

 

[Stratman]

It could well be just needing a regas, but the gas has gone somewhere........

 

[rf065]

It could well be just needing a regas, but the gas has gone somewhere........

The gas incorporates a lubricating oil in it, if not used, the seals dry up & leak. A re-gas may be all that is required if the system has been used regularly.

Russ