Hi Steve, Sorry the very delayed response. Yes, I did get it fixed. After my mechanic tested everything else out, it was determined to be a faulty AC ecu. $1800 or so, ouch! Heat blows very hot now, all other climate functions are perfect.
I think it's the 4x5 pad with the temp numbers and fan speed switchr located just down in front of the stick shift if you have a 6 speed...
No, that's the just control panel which also go bad. The AC ecu is in a black plastic box with connector(s) on it, and it's about the size of a small cigar box. I believe it is in the front trunk underneath the carpeting somewhere. FNA supposedly had only one in the US when I got mine. Good luck! Just make damn sure yours is faulty cuz they ain't cheap!
Yeah and I'm thinking 348 anyway. I'm praying it's just my battery and stupid boy messing with the stereo without the engine running. My first and only 3 drives in car have been a little chilly. So AC should be on and heat light lit on a 348? I'll look into the temp (hidden) climate control dial.
thought id bump up this thread.. did a search in regards to Heat function.. I find it odd that the AC button has to be released not only for AC but to get heat as well.. meaning the compressor has to be engaged for heat too..? usually on cars in general, heat function is independent of AC.. meaning AC can be off.. and just turn dial to desired heat and thats it.. but as ive learnt now on the 355, if you have the Stop button pressed.. and even if put dial to full heat..with fan in position1,2,3,4, you only get unheated airflow.. I also tried the recirculate putton pressed, with Stop button pressed, dial to full heat.. and still no heat.. after figuring it out on my own, and confirmation here.. I find it odd that the AC/heat are connected.. never seen this design on any car that ive owned in the past.. this means as temps drop gradually into the fall.. and its starting to get cooler in the evening already.. and you want some heat.. that means the compressor has to be running..
Why did you figure that out by your own? It is exactly described like that in the owner manual, including the sentence that the compressor is used to dry the air while heating.
cause I did not look at the manual. was driving last night and was abit cooler out. so decided to turn heat on. initially I turned the dial to heat and had fan in position 2-3. but it was not producing any heat. this is while the stop button was pushed. meaning compressor is off. so then I released the stop button and voila the heat started pouring in. I own 3 other cars. and neither need the compressor engaged to produce heat. so now that I've learnt it's not the case with the 355 I find it odd that's all.
And since it was mentioned years ago in this original thread, and just in case it happens to someone else as it did me... If you have the issue where your STOP or recirc buttons won't stay depressed... Try pulling the A/C control unit out and opening it up (just a couple of screws). My STOP button would not stay engaged all the time. It would work, as in if I held it in, the A/C would stop... but it wouldn't stay depressed all the time. Seemed to have a mind of its own. When I opened the unit and pulled out the STOP button, inside it the small green translucent rubber boot, which I believe fits over the light bulb inside to tint it green, had come off and was floating freely around inside the switch. At times it was getting in the way and would prevent the button from actually moving all the way down and locking into place. I pulled the little rubber boot out and my STOP button has locked/unlocked perfectly ever since. Hopefully that helps someone else sometime.
