2000 S70 - Question about A/C compressor shim fix

geokilla · Post by **geokilla** » 20 Jul 2010, 18:20

What if the AC shuts off by itself every once in a blue moon? That doesn't really fit the symptoms that you and everyone else gave on our S70 having a clutch gap where the AC goes out after 10 to 15 minutes of use, causing it to blow warm air.

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 21 Jul 2010, 07:03

Let's step back a little.....

What do you mean by "goes out". Warm air blowing? Fan stops? Climate control lights blinking?

In between the "once in a blue moon" failures, how does it perform? Nice and cold?

geokilla · Post by **geokilla** » 21 Jul 2010, 15:51

Well I've never experienced it myself. Only my mom has, but that was a at least a month ago. Haven't heard her complain about the AC suddenly stop working and warm air is being blown through the air vents. But yes, warm air blows. No blinking lights on the climate control.

Yep when it works, though I wouldn't say its nice and cold. It's more like cool. If I was to compare it to the house's AC system, I'd say the house blows colder air than the car. It's not low in refrigerant though as it read 50 PSI. According to all the information gathered from various threads and my own threads, the AC would blow colder air if it was at say 40 PSI instead of 50 PSI.

islandmomof4 · Post by **islandmomof4** » 22 Jul 2010, 17:01

OK, So I am attempting this tonight (say a prayer) I have 4 kids and am over hearing them call my paid for car stupid when the air blows warm

I have read the "shim fix" info over and over and feel like a dummy if I can't get it lol. I am a girl so who knows. Any special notes or tips ??

My not stupid car is a 1995 850 wagon.

Thanks~

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 23 Jul 2010, 14:35

islandmomof4 wrote:OK, So I am attempting this tonight (say a prayer)

So, how did it go? No reason you shouldn't be able to do this.

pt850 · Post by **pt850** » 23 Jul 2010, 17:36

I have been experiencing an intermittent problem with the AC on my 1996 850 Turbo wagon with ECC. It works fine most of the time, cooling the interior to as low as 50 degrees F. (checked with thermometer in dash air outlet), but after 20 minutes or so, it starts blowing hot air. I took the car to my independent mechanic. He said the refrigerant was fine, the lines were hot and cold as they should be. He thinks the problem is with the thermal cutout switch. He said I need to take it to a Volvo dealer because they have special equipment to analyze and repair. I have read the posts about the bread clip fix for the compressor gap, and described it to him. He said it was not a compressor issue. I would appreciate your thoughts on this.

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 23 Jul 2010, 17:59

When if starts blowing warm air, does it continue to do that until you shut it off or shut the car off for a while and then it blows cold again when you start it up for a little while and the turns warm again? I am not an expert but if you read up on the clutch gap issue that is a classic symptom.

Two things you can easily check. Just for grins, check your cabin temp sensors to be sure they are clear of lint and dust. They are located next to each grip handle above each front door. You can blow them out with a can of compressed air but be careful because they are a somewhat delicate. If these are clogged it can contribute to difficulty regulating the temperature.

Second thing is you can check your compressor's clutch gap to make sure it is within spec. The clutch gap should be .3mm. If it is greater than .5mm it is out of spec. and will result in the above mentioned "classic symptoms".

pt850 · Post by **pt850** » 24 Jul 2010, 14:07

Thanks. The cabin temperature sensors were clean. I am uncertain where to check the gap on the compressor. Thanks.

mge_1 · Post by **mge_1** » 03 Sep 2010, 12:54

This sounds to be an easy fix. I will try it. I have a 00 C70 thats having this same AC issue.

schhdogs · Post by **schhdogs** » 20 Jan 2011, 18:14

I have a 1997 V90 (170K) and it has been giving me a rather opposite problem. When the car is first started, the AC will not blow cold air in the afternoon when the inside temp of car is hot (been sitting in the sun all day and it's now 4:00 pm) and the outside temp is above 75. No matter what buttons I push or how I configure the knobs, if I turn it on and off, etc., it will not blow cold until I drive at least 10-15 mins on the hwy. Then, it just magically comes on if I leave the button for it depressed. Once it comes on, however, it STAYS on.

It is not low on freon - I had the pressure checked, the compressor is not cycling on and off, and if it were a gas problem you'd think I'd have this problem in the cool mornings and not the hot afternoon!

I have already replaced the freon pressure switch and had the clutch remanufactured. Could it too be a problem with the clutch gap???? Or do I just need a new ACC?

2000 S70 - Question about A/C compressor shim fix

Re: 2000 S70 - Question about A/C compressor shim fix