W124 Air Con Problem

[aybracers]

Hi All,

I have a W124 220e 1993 model with factory (Non automatic) air conditioning.
If I start the car with the EC light lit(i.e. Air off) quite often I hear a clunk from somewhere in the dashboard and the the EC light turns itself off causing the A/c to start. I have had the system checked electrically and a couple of switches replaced(The high/low switch next to the A/C tank and the water temp. sensor next to the thermostat). The A/C works well when switched on but I still get this problem most times I start the car. Now it is becoming difficult to switch the air off - pressing the EC button does not immediately put the light back on. Is there some connection from the EC button to the vacuum system that controls the air flaps?

 

[Smiley]

The clunk going from off to on is normal - it is the load of the a/c causing this - means the system is working. Normally the problem is getting the a/c to come on because of low gas levels - dont know the cause of the problem you are having - maybe something as simple as a bad switch contact in the EC button?
Maybe you should just leave the a/c on? It will last longer that way for the sake of 1 or 2mpg.