1998 S70 T5 - where are the climate control temp sensors?

gbuchana · Post by **gbuchana** » 23 Jun 2008, 21:23

I have a Canadian spec 1998 S70 T5 SE. It has climate control and the temp setting is starting to seem off. I want to check out the temperature sensors, but I can't figure out where they are. Any pointers?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 23 Jun 2008, 21:32

Only one in your car...in the dash, to the left of the climate control...find a small rectangular vent...it's in there. You can get to it if you remove the radio.

gbuchana · Post by **gbuchana** » 24 Jun 2008, 20:10

Thanks.

Interesting -- so the "dual zone" controls are bogus?

I was guessing that little grill in the instrument panel might be one, but I assumed there was another somewhere closer to the passenger side.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 24 Jun 2008, 20:31

No, never found another and never seen another in any Volvo diagrams or parts lists. I I've always wondered about the dual control and how that works when there's always one sensor....I assume now that one takes readings from the other and adjusts from that...so many degrees less or so many degrees more- hope this makes sense.

Post by **kelvin6** » 29 Jun 2008, 16:59

On the S70, the passenger side sensor is located between the glove box and the lower knee bolster.

On the 850, both sensors are in the roof handles.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 29 Jun 2008, 17:24

I've never found it in a parts diagram.... Do you have a picture?

Post by **kelvin6** » 29 Jun 2008, 22:34

Upon a closer inspection of the diagrams where i originally saw this, I realize i'm actually looking at it wrong. What i'm looking at is the outside temp sensor located on the fan/blower unit. I guess the prespective of the alldatadiy.com image made it hard to tell.

So according to alldatadiy, the whole system works off one sensor for temp sensing...

The solar sensor on the dash alarm LED, can apparently be set by a VST2000 for different sensitivities.... seems interesting.

The S70 electronic climate control system is quite different than the 850. The differences is less sensors, less damper motors, and a 'smarter' (programable) control unit (according to alldatadiy).

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 29 Jun 2008, 23:03

Aha...so I was right after all.
Thanks Kelvin6- I do appreciate all of your digging on this matter and I finally have confirmation of what I suspected all along.

Another interesting bit was your findings concerning the sensor in the dash (dash alarm LED)...seems that it reacts to light as much as it does temperature...I feel mine is too sensitive and wish I could turn it down.

Post by **VCA** » 30 Jun 2008, 06:03

MadeInJapan wrote:Another interesting bit was your findings concerning the sensor in the dash (dash alarm LED)...seems that it reacts to light as much as it does temperature...I feel mine is too sensitive and wish I could turn it down.

MIJ, the sun-compensation setting can be modified with VADIS/VIDA and the VCT2000/DiCE (99+ models), or the VST (98 models). If you know a shop with an Autodiagnos unit (1998 models), or an Autologic (all models), they can set it easily. Values range from -4 to +2. Default is 0. I have mine set at -1 and I live in Florida

Alternatively, if you know any theatrical lighting techs, you can ask for a small piece of Rosco #398 gel, that should do nicely...reduces the light by 60%.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 30 Jun 2008, 07:34

VCA, thanks for the info. No one has a Volvo specific scan tool around here except for the dealer (whom I avoid)...where do you put the gel? Directly on the sensor? Oh, and I assume when you say "gel" this isn't a sticky substance but a cellophane piece, right?