'09 S40 Air Con stops working after a while

[NickF]

Hi guys, first post here.

I have an '09 S40 with 60k miles in California and when I start the car in the morning to go to work (outside temp around 70 F), AC is working fine usually until i get to work (16mi or 45min) or just before i get there. On the way back (temp around 80-90 F) usually it will work for about 15min and stop working all together. the compressor just wont come on. I don't hear the "click" sound of the compressor. When it works it blows really cold. So I'm assuming it is not the relay or need for recharge but I'm not sure. Loose wiring maybe?

Anyone had the same experience and found the problem?

Thank you.

NickF

[jimmy57]

S40/V50's get clutch wear and then after the electromagnet winding gets hot (engine heat plus heat from it being powered up) its magnetic strength goes down and it is not able to pull the driven plate into the drive pulley face when the gap between the two has increased. Some shops will not not remove the plate and the shim that adjusts the gap to get the gap reduced, they will replace the compressor. Some will.
I repaired a 2006 V50 with 71K miles 2 weeks ago with the same issue. You have to drop the splash pan and then the compressor is accessible.
I had to fashion a puller to get the plate off. I removed the .5 mm shim and it works fine now.
You have to remove the splash pan to check for this. Drive it until it quits and leave the a/c on. now tap the compressor drive plate with something and if it engages that is the problem.

[NickF]

Perfect. Thank you Jimmy. I'll give it a shot.
On another note, is there a place I can find a mechanics manual to an 09 S40? Would need some instructions to attempt this fix but it doesn't sound too bad. Disappointing that this clutch won't last for even 60k...

Thank you.
NickF