Difficulty finding Aux Fan Resistor

[Phoenix127]

Recently my aux fan resistor began overheating. I attempted to locate a replacement online with the usual suspects. I have been unable to procure one. ECS Tuning showed a BEHR resistor which I ordered, but after a week and no updates on shipping they offered me a Mercedes part. My dealer indicated to me none are presently stocked in the country. I find this hard to believe. Any suggestions? Has anyone found an alternative? As an electronics tech, I can say that a properly sized resistor of adequate wattage will work and cost just a fraction of this troublesome component.

 

[kegmankipp]

I ordered one from the dealer last week and it made it here in 4 days. There were 316 of them in Germany.

 

[195910]

I just changed that as well... A0001583245
The original is made by BERU but is not available as aftermarket anymore

 

[gerryvz]

I have noticed this lack of availability, as well, a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to purchase a new one to replace my original one as part of my Top-End job. Zilch on the aftermarket -- only available through MB. I have a couple of nice used ones as spares, but I wanted to go with a new one.

$33.60 at MB Annapolis: Series Resistor - 000-158-32-45) | Get Mercedes Parts

 

[195910]

I have noticed this lack of availability, as well, a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to purchase a new one to replace my original one as part of my Top-End job. Zilch on the aftermarket -- only available through MB. I have a couple of nice used ones as spares, but I wanted to go with a new one.

$33.60 at MB Annapolis: Series Resistor - 000-158-32-45) | Get Mercedes Parts

That's a good price, I paid more for it in EU...must be only stock pricing.

What symptoms were seen ? only the aux fans not working?

 

[gerryvz]

I do not have any symptoms. I am just replacing various items of original equipment that is 25+ years old. Since the headlights are coming out, and the items on that side of the front of the engine are coming off, the items that are easy to replace in that area (such as the resistor, and both ignition coils) are also getting replaced, and the area is getting cleaned up.

 

[Phoenix127]

Thank you all for the resistor sourcing info. Love this site.
My symptoms were rising temperature 100-105 during drive throughs with the AC running. Eventually the high speed cuts in bringing temps back down. The AUX fans should have been running continuously at low speed, which uses the resistor. A gentle tap or tug on the resistor and wiring would sometimes start the fans but when they did an orange glow from below the resistor could be seen! Every two years or so I have to refresh the resistor and wiring terminals.

 

[gsxr]

Thank you all for the resistor sourcing info. Love this site.
My symptoms were rising temperature 100-105 during drive throughs with the AC running. Eventually the high speed cuts in bringing temps back down. The AUX fans should have been running continuously at low speed, which uses the resistor. A gentle tap or tug on the resistor and wiring would sometimes start the fans but when they did an orange glow from below the resistor could be seen! Every two years or so I have to refresh the resistor and wiring terminals.

Remember the low-speed aux fan only runs based on refrigerant pressure. Low ambient temps, or low refrigerant charge, can make the fans not run at all even when the resistor & wiring are perfect. Definitely check out the wiring at the resistor, but it sounds like your mechanical fan clutch may also have issues. The electric fans ARE NOT designed to cool the engine.

 

[Alphasud40]

Last night I finally has some time to work on my own stuff and the first order of business was to diagnose and repair the low speed fan circuit. Quick check of the strip fuse and shorting the A/C high pressure switch terminals quickly led me to believe it was a faulty resistor. When I placed my test lead on the upper terminal of the resistor the wire fell off. I thought that was quick!

I found it easier to remove the headlight and snickered about the typical over engineering of the period. Did a part search and I was unable to come up with a replacement So I figured I needed to repair it myself.

taking a cut off wheel in the angle grinder I had to cut through the rusted and seized nut holding the burnt terminal. I determined the source of the heat was caused by the excessive resistance between the lug base and the nichrome wire loop which in turn burnt the terminal ring. After scraping the potting from the back side of the resistor lug I was able to expose the slotted screw head. Removed the screw and cleaned the nichrome loop with sandpaper and using a new 5mm bolt 25mm in length I secured the loop with a 5mm flange nut. Then I repaired the wire and added a new terminal ring and bolted it to the new bolt nut combination. Working great!

with parts going NLA its going to take creativity to keep these cars happy. My next job will be to remove the upper blower cover and find out why my squirrel cage is rubbing on the case. I believe the blower fan has been replaced with a Chinesium unit.