volvoownerky » My wife has a 2005 S40 2.4i w/ about 58K miles on it and we started having a very strange issue with the A/C over the weekend. The car will blow cold air for a period of time after it starts but after a while it seems like the air just shuts off. The A/C button is still green but the system will only blow lukewarm/cool air rather than cold air. If we shut the air off for a while and turn it back on it will blow cold for a bit and then shut off again.
I’ve been told that this means I’m running out of R134 and the system is “freezing up” because of that. Is it safe to use one of the DIY recharge kits on my S40 and, if so, where is the low valve on an S40 (to check the pressure and refill the R134)?
MadeInJapan » These are typical symptoms of low freon. When idling the compressor is turning at a low speed and can’t compress as much freon. The airflow through the condenser is less, so less is condensed. At higher speed continuous driving the compressor is turning faster and there is more airflow through the condenser, so more freon is compressed and condensed per unit time and your AC blows cooler air. Have you checked the system pressure yet?
Same S40 AC Problem, Different Owner
jimgrantal » AC runs fine for a while and then starts blowing warmer air, worse in stop and go traffic or after idling, better at high speed continuous driving.
vegasjetskier » These are typical symptoms of low freon. When idling the compressor is turning at a low speed and can’t compress as much freon. The airflow through the condenser is less, so less is condensed. At higher speed continuous driving the compressor is turning faster and there is more airflow through the condenser, so more freon is compressed and condensed per unit time and your AC blows cooler air. Have you checked the system pressure yet?
Volvo S40
In 2000, the S40 was introduced in North America.
Soon, the two original versions (with 1.8 and 2.0 litre engines) were supplemented with new economic and exciting models. From the fuel-thrifty turbodiesel version to the high-performance T4 (200 bhp) performance S40 model, a worthy successor to classic performance Volvos like the PV544 Sport, the P1800 and the 240 Turbo.
However, the S40 has not only become popular on regular roads – it has also become a spectacular racing car, its most remarkable success notched up when Richard Rydell won the BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) in his S40 1998. The S40 has also been quite successful in the STCC (the Swedish Touring Car Championship).
Subscribe to the MVS Newsletter
The MVS Volvo Newsletter is a once-a-month email delivered to your email. It’s simple to unsubscribe at any time if you change your mind.
3 Comments
’05 S40 a/c intermittent cold, then no cold a/c when engine warmed up or in traffic, worked best at initial cold engine start as compressor clutch engaged at regular intervals. But, as engine temp increased, a/c temp increased and compressor clicking ever 2-3 seconds. Put gauge on Low Pressure nozzle, it was in the red, would only drop a small percentage when the compressor engaged. Also noticed radiator/condenser cooling fan not coming on, veh overheated. Let cool, initiated cold engine start, a/c cold again, gauge pressure stable in the green, but again, as engine warmed a/c air warmed and guage pressure shot to red…and still the radiator/condenser fan still not coming on. Now looking into relay, wiring and fan motor.
2002 Volvo S40
1. A/C fuse removed because it was continuous running even when off it acted like it was on auto. I pulled the fuse until a fix could be acquired.
2.Starter turns over and engine does not catch right away. Hotter it gets worse, colder it starts right up. It takes about 5 -8 seconds to turn over the engine. No CEL. It hasn’t stalled, although on occasion transmission hiccups a little, maybe dirty tranny fluid.
3. Interior body panels vinyl coming undone due to unusual amounts of heat. Phoenix AZ 100+ degrees for going on 6 months! God damn how come people live here?!
Aircon does not work when day temp are higher than 33degrees