Author Topic: Heater cable length issue  (Read 3896 times)

col320ce

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Heater cable length issue
« on: December 11, 2016, 00:30:41 »
My pagoda is blowing hot air when the red levers are closed. So I need to adjust the cable attachments for this.  As you can see from the photo when the cable is pulled so that the hot air is in the closed position the cable wire hits the back of the dash (ignore the attachment point as this is loose in the picture). Is there adjustment to this cable anywhere else? I don't want to just cut the cable wire...
Thanks for any help....
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

Tyler S

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Re: Heater cable length issue
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2016, 01:44:27 »
Make sure the correct cable is in the correct location. All 4 cables are different lengts. If the cables are new, they come a little long. You can bend the excess over or cut it off. Just be sure to have your adjustment correct first.
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
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66andBlue

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Re: Heater cable length issue
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2016, 01:49:44 »
Does your early 230SL have the inspection port to look at the heater control valve? See: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/HeaterControlValve
If so then first make sure that the valve is indeed closed before cutting any wires. When the red lever is in the closed ("cold") position the end of the wire points to the driver side (on a LHD car) as shown in this photo: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/uploads/Electrical/Heater_valve_operation.jpg
Even a longer wire should not interfere with the closing as long as the wire is crimped down securely by the castle nuts:

Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

col320ce

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Re: Heater cable length issue
« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2016, 02:27:14 »
Thanks for the help so far...
I have not changed the cables but I don't know if these are the original ones.
Unfortunately I don't have an inspection hole.
I'll study the links and see if I can find another way to see if the flap is fully seated.
Thanks again...
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

col320ce

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Re: Heater cable length issue
« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2016, 04:33:30 »
I removed the air scoop and the passenger side flap that is attached to the  heater control valve has a broken cable attachment so is not doing anything.  I'm struggling to get the 11 mm nut off that attaches the flap...  I'm not sure if it is fixable but I'll try...
« Last Edit: December 11, 2016, 04:38:06 by col320ce »
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

66andBlue

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Re: Heater cable length issue
« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2016, 07:45:28 »
Col,
this is strange, I have never seen a nut on the pin of an air flap. Or is it a bolt glued into the flap during a repair? These pins on original flaps have no threads - see photo.
In any case you need to loosen the angle bracket with the plastic bushing to remove the flap. However the nut you see holding the bracket is welded and cannot be removed. The screw needs to be removed from inside the cabin as shown in the photo (grabbed from Ulli at Pagodentreff.de). There is also one for the other flap inside the cabin.

BTW, do you have a RHD car? I am asking because you show the flap on the driver side of a LHD car.
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

col320ce

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Re: Heater cable length issue
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2016, 09:04:30 »
Aaahhh...  Thanks so much for telling me the bolt was on the inside!
Got it out and it's had a repair so that's why the attachment is incorrect.
It is a rhd car by the way.
I'll repair this as a temporary fix and order a new one.
Thanks again...
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

66andBlue

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Re: Heater cable length issue
« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2016, 18:31:40 »
While you are at it check the other flap also and order 4 new bushings. The old ones are most likely very brittle:
http://www.sls-hh-shop.de/en/230-280SL-W113/83-Heater-System/Bushing-fresh-air-flap-Bushing-fresh-air-flap.html
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

col320ce

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Re: Heater cable length issue
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2016, 20:42:29 »
Good advice ... I'll get them too.
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline