W211: AC Off Red Light

[MBDarryl]

Hi all,

I have an 03 E320 CD1 and the AC Off light has come on. It did have a new alternator fitted a couple of weeks back, and i have a problem injector which should be fixed next week. However, i dont think any of these are related.

If i press it, it flashes then becomes solid again.

Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Darryl

 

[davidjpowell]

Your AC is not working....

Usually it's low coolant, but it can be other sensors as well. A STAR session is worthwhile.

If you decide to just get it topped up at Kwik-Fit, be aware that the system will need to be reset to work.

 

[mersum1es]

Flashing usually indicated low liquid level. Did you changed new aux belt while changed alternator? However check that belt is ok, not slipping and is tight...

 

[gIzzE]

And if the coolant is low I would get a proper AC specialist out to do it, if it is leaking out you have a leak that needs fixing.

The seal around the nozzle where you add the gas goes on these, a £5 fix, but one kwit-fit et al won't do. They will just fill it up and see you again in 6 months when it has all gone again.

 

[Alps]

once refilled (or leak fixed) it will need resetting using star

 

[MBDarryl]

Hi guys,

a very big thanks for all this support and advice. I'm obviously on the right forum here eh!

The chap who did the alternator needs to collect the car today/monday to do yet another injector so he'll check to see if its the belt or whether we got to get a AC tech to look at.

Seem's like loads of stuff has gone wrong with the car since i purchased it back in Aug. It did take us around europe for two weeks without a blip though, and 160K miles on the clock so i guess things are gonna fail soon I was hoping to spend money on doing it up - not keeping it alive lol

Thanks again!

 

[MBDarryl]

So, i got the AC system emptied and refilled and the system reset. I even opted for the extra UV dye so any future leaks will be easier to find. Guess what the red lights come back on

Anybody have an insight into next steps - that dont include the local dealers!!

Thanks in advance!

 

[gIzzE]

Where was the leak?

 

[MBDarryl]

They didnt find one. They did a complete removal of old content then refilled and and did a reset. Im wondering if something else has packed up

 

[gIzzE]

Well there will be one somewhere, hence why it emptied.

Was it an aircon specialist?

 

[MBDarryl]

What makes you think it's emptied? These guys did a thorough check over all the system and found no leaks. I'll get them to check it again but im thinking something else is failing but i dont know what it might be?

 

[E270 Owner]

So, i got the AC system emptied and refilled and the system reset. I even opted for the extra UV dye so any future leaks will be easier to find. Guess what the red lights come back on

Anybody have an insight into next steps - that dont include the local dealers!!

Thanks in advance!

It will need the code/s reading diagnosing fixing and resetting with MB Star SDS

 

[gIzzE]

What makes you think it's emptied? These guys did a thorough check over all the system and found no leaks. I'll get them to check it again but im thinking something else is failing but i dont know what it might be?

Sorry, I presumed you got it emptied and refilled back in Novemeber, and now a few weeks later the red light is back on?

If that is the case then you have a leak, when the gas comes out it is always a leak, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, but it will be a leak as it is a sealed system.

If it was done and the red light came on immediately then you may simply need to get it reset.

But as I said previously, simply getting someone with basic gear to test for leaks won't tell you that much, you need and air con specialist to diagnose it properly and find the leak. Most will say that it is not loosing enough for their kit to tell and simply refill it, a few weeks or if you're lucky, a few months later it will have all leaked out again.

 

[gIzzE]

The seal where they add the gas go on Mercs at around 10 years old the guy who did mine said when I called up, he said he would bring a seal with him, he tested it and it had gone, 10 minutes later a new seal fitted for £5 and then he refilled it.

 

[MBDarryl]

Oh i see, i thought the red light might indicate other AC failures - not just fluid leaks! If it's a leak then i guess i'm happy as it should be easy enough to find and hopefully cheap[ish] to repair eh!!

The guys i used are dedicated AC specialists and gave me a years warranty on all work; lets hope it's a leak and a simple fix - god knows i'd hope so this side of the festive season

 

[Deano24v]

just to jump on the back of this thread rather than starting a new one. The car i have just picked up had working AC until the car was left to sit for a few months. On jum starting it i now have the red light on constantly and a flashing light if i turn it on. Annoyingly this means no heater booster in the mornings but not the end of the world. Do i need to go to the stealers to get it reset? it did have the head off for new injectors and head gasket but the cheapskates reused the old belt which is shagged!

 

[lexman8]

Depending on the model, the aircon can often be reset by putting the climate control into diagnostic mode and resetting it there. I can do it that way on my CL but the method to access the diagnostic mode varies between models.

 

[Deano24v]

interstingly enough even though the aircon doesnt work, the heater booster does which i assumed didnt work if the aircon didnt. i Get instant hot air form the heaters regardless of engine temp and outside temp.