Author Topic: Can someone explain how these heater levers supposed to work?  (Read 4747 times)

teahead

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The Pagoda I'm looking at buying, the blower fan seems inop (Defrost round button not doing anything).

So just wondering what all four slide controls supposed to do (sorry, don't have an owner's manual)?

The picture in the middle seems cryptic and not sure what the red blue black arrows supposed to mean.
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

teahead

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Re: Can someone explain how these heater levers supposed to work?
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2019, 22:33:32 »
I assume it controls direction of flow to the defrost ducts above the dash, the side vents, and maybe the floor?

Some combination of the four levers' positions can do each of the above?
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

Mike Hughes

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Re: Can someone explain how these heater levers supposed to work?
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2019, 23:18:12 »
One of the black arrows points up to the defroster vents in the dash, the other black arrow points down to the floor vents.  The red arrows are for heat.  The amount of heat on the right and left side can be regulated separately.  The blue arrow is fresh air to the floor or defroster vents.  The colored triangles are meant to indicate open or closed, where the wide end of the triangle indicates fully open or on and the narrow tip of the triangle indicates fully closed or off.

The cryptic label is showing the positions of the four levers to achieve maximum defrosting of the windshield.  The fresh air lever (blue) on the upper left left should be all the way to the left (fully open).  The air flow lever (black arrows) should on the upper right should be all the way to the left (up arrow, defrost).  The heat control lever (red) on the lower left should be all the way to the left (maximum coolant flow and air flow through the heater core for heating the left hand side of the car).  The heat control lever (red) on the lower right should be all the way to the right (maximum air flow through the heater core for heating the left side of the car.)

\____ \____
\____ ____/

In the summer, the most effective way to keep the passenger compartment cool would be to keep the fresh air lever (blue) all the way to the left, the air flow lever (black arrows) should be moved all the way to the right (down arrow, floor), and both heat control (red) levers should be moved to the center of the panel (coolant flow to the heater core shut off, and no air flow through the heater core to the vents,).

\____ ____/
____/ \____

The two round vents at each end of the dash are fresh air vents independent of the heater/defroster system.  When the lever below each vent is pointing away from the door the vent is closed; when pointing towards the door, the vent is open and air will flow when the vehicle is in forward motion.
- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
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teahead

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Re: Can someone explain how these heater levers supposed to work?
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2019, 23:27:32 »
Thanks so much!

;)

I assume the defrost knob has nothing to do w/defrost but just fan on/off/fan speed?  Is it variable or just two speeds:  HI and LO?
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

georgem

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Re: Can someone explain how these heater levers supposed to work?
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2019, 00:25:48 »
I think you are referring to the diagram which shows the position of the levers. The circular "KNOB" in the middle of the diagram refers to the fan control knob located near these levers (I think it is the one on the right of your picture) - turn it clockwise and the fan blows air.

Good luck with your hunting for a Pagoda
George McDonald
Brisbane
230 Sl
1973 VW Kombi Single Cab Ute
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Mike Hughes

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Re: Can someone explain how these heater levers supposed to work?
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2019, 01:11:48 »
Your fan knob is marked "DEFROST" and the fan speed is variable.   When turned fully counterclockwise it is off.  Turning clockwise to the right one can vary the speed from low up to medium, then one click more is high.
- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havana Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

Benz Dr.

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Re: Can someone explain how these heater levers supposed to work?
« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2019, 02:01:42 »
Keep in mind that the fresh air vent at the base of the windshield needs to be open or very little fresh air ( warm or cold ) will enter your car.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
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1965  230SL
1967 250SL
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66andBlue

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Re: Can someone explain how these heater levers supposed to work?
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2019, 04:49:13 »
These two links should help you understanding the heating/venting controls:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=12018.msg81775#msg81775
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/HeaterControlValve (scan down to the end!)
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

mauro12

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Re: Can someone explain how these heater levers supposed to work?
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2023, 22:05:05 »
Hi guys , I’m curious about one thing . During heavy rain , could be a great idea to close the fresh air lever ( put top left lever to the right ) in order to seal and avoid water under the dash ? This is just my personal curiosity , I was thinking about what could be the reason for a seal for the fresh air cowl vent . Thank you
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual

rwmastel

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Re: Can someone explain how these heater levers supposed to work?
« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2023, 13:30:46 »
Mauro,
There air intake box should have working drains.
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
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Jonny B

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Re: Can someone explain how these heater levers supposed to work?
« Reply #10 on: April 14, 2023, 16:49:56 »
These air intake box drains can easily become plugged, good to check them to make sure they are open.
Jonny B
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1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

Cees Klumper

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Re: Can someone explain how these heater levers supposed to work?
« Reply #11 on: April 14, 2023, 17:04:19 »
My guess is the vent can be closed for the same reasons also in modern cars outside air can be shut off: to prevent smells, polution, diesel fumes or whatever from entering the cabin.
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
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mauro12

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Re: Can someone explain how these heater levers supposed to work?
« Reply #12 on: May 08, 2023, 19:56:27 »
If you have broken or damaged drain tubes , I believe that if you close the fresh air lever you can prevent water entering into the scuttle box and so inside your car . Correct me if I’m wrong .
Mauro Pisani
250sl 1967 5speed zf manual