1994 850 Ac works when tested and quits in actual use

pmonk · Post by **pmonk** » 10 Mar 2006, 21:43

Hey, I have been trying to figure out an ac problem. I have looked all over this and other sites and haven't quite pinpointed it but maybe I just didn't know what I was looking at. Anyway, the AC in my 94 850 blows cold at first and then never again. I took it in to have it tested and they hooked it up and tested it on the machines and all and the pressure was great with no leaks and then they ran the car and AC with the windows down on full blast for a long while and got around 40F when measured. They didn't charge me and said that it should work and to keep the recirc engaged for better cooling and all. After I picked it up i could feel it really cooling but I drove it about 20ft so I could get a better look under a streetlight and felt the hose and it had condensation and was cold. I drove it a little while and felt it was getting warmer (possibly more humid) as if the ac was off and just the fan was blowing. Sure enough when I pull over and pop the hood that hose is no longer cold or wet.
On a related note, I noticed while driving with my windows down (since the ac wasn't working) i noticed a ticking or something on heavier acceleration, and to test it I revved the engine to the same rpms with the clutch in and heard no sound other than the engine. I hope this isn't something major. The car runs and drives like a charm other than the AC really and just passed the tough emissions like a new vehicle. Does anyone have any ideas on this stuff. I have just had lots of cv joint, boots axles, o2 stuff done and am starting to get a little strapped for cash. This is an 850 manual with no turbo.

Post by **matthew1** » 10 Mar 2006, 22:38

This might have something on it:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/ac_page.php

Also, I remember reading about an owner who diagnosed a difficult problem with AC that in the end turned out to be a collapsing hose.

Hope this helps.

pmonk · Post by **pmonk** » 11 Mar 2006, 01:11

Thanks, I looked at that and read up some more and did some more test driving. The ac was once again Ice cold for 5-7 minutes and the compressor was acting normal, i checked the pipes for cold and condensation, everything was good, and then cycled the switch and watched and listened to the compressor kick on and off (click and lights dimmed at idle) then it starts to fade away and doesn't come back on.
On the ticking note, I revved the engine and held it around 2500 and no ticking, but no matter what gear, when accelerating i hear the ticking at around 2500 but not when cruising at that or idling. I suppose it is nothing really, as it isn't that loud, but sounds a little bit like cards in the spokes of a bike wheel. Maybe it happens on all my vehicles and i just don't notice, since my truck is a big v8 with loud dual exhaust. I don't know. I guess I will check all this tomorrow. This ac is the ECC type. I will check all the hoses and see if any are collapsing in daylight and then i guess go down to the AC guy and force him to ride around with me until the AC cuts out and then jump out an shout "AH-HA!" as it cuts out.

pmonk · Post by **pmonk** » 13 Mar 2006, 21:35

I tried to post something earlier on a work computer but got interrupted. I thought I might post an update to my problem. I went to the dealer to have them look at it and do the tank recall. They said it is the compressor seizing up and that it needs to be replaced and so does the orifice tube. this is all logical I suppose but they quoted a price of 1057 just for that . they had another long list of stuff which is plausable but not necessary yet, like brakes rotors, antifreeze flush and fill, tie-rod ends and motor mounts and a cv boot (i just had done and the indy i took it too is going to take care of it). All plausible. Anyway I talked to my regular mechanic and he laughed at the quote and said to bring it back from the dealer and if he can't do it there are several volvo specialist around town who can do it for tons less. Just thought I would post this so some people with the same symptoms may be able to find out what it could be. The dealer was pretty honest and decent and all but they are crazy expensive. I also need to fix the peeling around the air bag and on the cover due to the hot texas heat. A dealer quote for that was ~$3000 so i figured I could live with it or epoxy it, but i read somewhere not to glue the airbag peeling down.

Tsquared · Post by **Tsquared** » 14 Mar 2006, 06:12

matthew1 wrote:This might have something on it:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/ac_page.php

Also, I remember reading about an owner who diagnosed a difficult problem with AC that in the end turned out to be a collapsing hose.

Hope this helps.

That was my 850. Drove me nuts. Had it in the shop 4 or 5 times with "no problem found". It would work fine below 95 degrees but when you really needed it it would stop. I could turn off the AC switch for about 10 seconds and turn it back on and it would work for another 10 minutes. THe INDY that I use finally put it on the rack on a 95+ day and saw the hose collapse - another first for that shop on repairs on a 850

pmonk · Post by **pmonk** » 14 Mar 2006, 08:47

That is what I will do then, take it in and put it up and look for a hose collapsing before I do the whole compressor thing. It may be the compressor, but better safe than sorry, especially since the dealer couldn't guarantee the compressor would fix my problem. At least the guy I go to lets me in the shop to get a look myself. And doesn't charge me the $50 examination fee the dealer does. The dealer said when I brought in my car that the long list of codes I pulled on the ac "don't mean anything really" and that their diagnostics are the only real way to tell. That kind of surprised me because most of the codes I have gotten in the past on other systems on the car have helped me figure out what is wrong with it usually. Maybe I misunderstood him and he was saying they aren't very in depth or something. If it weren't for this site I would probably be completely lost.

so, when the hose collapsed, did the compressor sieze up or were there any noticable symptoms beside non working ac? I don't really notice anything other than gradually getting non-cool maybe moist air after it quits, but when it first starts out it is icy and dry. It seems like after it cycles off once or twice it never works again, kind of like how it shuts off during acceleration, it may not work again that trip.

Post by **matthew1** » 14 Mar 2006, 14:22

I don't mean to ask a silly question, but could it simply need an AC recharge?

(I searched for the word "recharge" in this thread and it doesn't show up.)

pmonk · Post by **pmonk** » 14 Mar 2006, 19:54

I did check the ac at a shop and the dealer and the pressures tested ok, so I guess it doesn't need recharged. I guess it probably is the compressor and am going to go in to get a second opinion manana. After I picked it up from the dealer they gave me a relatively short list of reccomended repairs, washed and vacuumed the car and let me go. Strangely though they didn't mention what looks like (but I hope isn't) a very tiny leaking rear seal (arrrgh!) It is weird that they didn't recommend it because I never noticed it before and noticed it soon as I crawled around under the car after the drive home and the area it was leaking from was strangely wiped cleaner than the rest. Maybe it wasn't serious or something. Here is a picture (i hope it posts), is that a rear main? What started out as ac may be turning nasty. I am going to try to get under it in the shop. Sorry for starting to get off topic. I will post what I find out about the Ac and all so maybe somebody can benefit in the future.

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 15 Mar 2006, 09:34

That is where the tranny case halves meet. This area can leak, but it's not very common. The RMS leak shows up further to the left.

pmonk · Post by **pmonk** » 15 Mar 2006, 09:53

Thanks! that is good info. the seepage is super super small, like a dime after driving and at most a quarter sized spot on the ground overnight which is already kind of dry when I noticed it. This car is a standard. I guess the dealer saw it and figured it wasn't worth mentioning. I must give them credit, they aren't shisters, just dealer priced service, and they didn't go out of their way to find faults, i just can't afford their prices.