Ray K. 0 Report post Posted June 8, 2008 The A/C on my '82 (RQB 3420) died. I traced the problem down to a broken A/C fan speed controller rheostat switch - the one with "AIR" on the knob, located on the vertical console panel. The switch is of ceramic construction, about 1 3/4 inches diameter, and has spade lug connectors for 2 wires on the back. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement, or what will interchange with this switch? Ray Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunslinger 0 Report post Posted June 8, 2008 I don't know an interchange, but they do show up on Ebay fairly regularly. You might also contact Jon Myers or Nostalgic Motors and see if they have any...maybe a good used one if nothing else. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeValent 0 Report post Posted June 19, 2008 Nostalgic has the 3-speed off-low-medium-high switch, if you're talking about the fan speed switch (lower of the 2 in-console switches). My '83 when I bought it had an "infinite adjustment" switch (off-high-then progressively lower down to almost no fan speed). But both of these switches have three lugs - power in, power out to fan, power out to thermostat (the upper console switch). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adamderosa 0 Report post Posted June 20, 2008 (edited) Take a look at this switch from Vintage Air; it looks like it would work. I just ordered one as mine crapped out last night. It's part number 11458-VUS on page 33. https://www.vintageair.com/cat2007/33.pdf Edited June 20, 2008 by adamderosa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adamderosa 0 Report post Posted June 27, 2008 Disregard the brilliant idea I posted above. The switch from Vintage Air is just a 3-position switch and will not control the fan speed on our Avantis. What we need is a rheostat. I was able to take my old one apart, clean it, and get it working again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeValent 0 Report post Posted July 3, 2008 The round single-rheostat "infinite speed adjustment" switch is a Four Seasons (div of Standard Motor Products) switch #35700. www.autopartswarehouse.com carries it as their item #W0133-1615744, listed as fitting 1968-73 Mercedes 280SEL with Thermo-King air conditioning. At $55.95 it's not dirt cheap, but considering that the original switch lasted almost 25 years and still functions fairly well, why not? I ordered the new one Tuesday, got it this afternoon. for what it may be worth, I prefer this switch to Nostalgic's 3-speed one since it doesn't limit my fan speed choices. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
