Swirl flap motor clip.

I bought the 2005 Mercedes e320 cdi with 111,000 on it 2 years ago and it's been an awesome car. But with in the last 2 months it goes into limp mode after a minute of driving or I crack it down. It still drives smooth just no power. I put a scanner on it and I will get code p2015, deleted it a few times but comes right back. I can move the arm of the swirl flaps with a screwdriver with out a problem and moves smoothly. So just thinking it's the motor for the flaps gone bad. Ok I am good with that bc I was going to plug in the resistor to bridge the two wires. But... I cant figure out how the to get the clip off the motor it has to be in the worst spot. Almost as bad an changing an alternator on a new Fiat (kids car and what a crappy design). But any help would be great full. And would it harm the car driving it in limp mode?

Thanks