2001 xc wagon AC stop blowing cold air after a few minutes

jb1882 · Post by **jb1882** » 03 Jul 2014, 05:38

Hi all.
A year or so ago my AC stopped working properly.
It began like this. It would stop blowing cold air when the car was at a stop light idling.
But only then. I would turn it off for a few minutes and turn it back on and it would be fine as long as the car was moving.
But now stops blowing cold air after a few minutes. I turn it off for about 10 minutes and back on to get cold air for a few more minutes.

I have been researching possible problems or fixes but have not come across my symptoms yet.
Do these symptoms point to something specific?

Thanks

J

Post by **jimmy57** » 03 Jul 2014, 07:59

Your symptoms are those of excessive a/c compressor clutch gap.
"clutch gap" will get you a lot of information if you search.

If you get a good flashlight and drive your car until it stops cooling you will be able to see the center for the a/c clutch stopped if it is this problem.

Post by **vtl** » 03 Jul 2014, 08:44

Have you recharged AC a year ago?

bobbieandrick · Post by **bobbieandrick** » 03 Jul 2014, 12:53

vtl wrote:Have you recharged AC a year ago?

I have a 2003 XC70 and it is doing the same thing. The AC works fine as long as you are not in traffic. When it turns off you have to turn it off and wait about 2 minutes and then turn it back on. Has anyone found a solution?

jb1882 · Post by **jb1882** » 03 Jul 2014, 16:34

vtl wrote:Have you recharged AC a year ago?

No, I have never had the AC recharged in the 6 years I have had the car.

I will look into the other issue mentioned.

Thanks

J

jb1882 · Post by **jb1882** » 03 Jul 2014, 17:11

jimmy57 wrote:Your symptoms are those of excessive a/c compressor clutch gap.
"clutch gap" will get you a lot of information if you search.

If you get a good flashlight and drive your car until it stops cooling you will be able to see the center for the a/c clutch stopped if it is this problem.

Ok. Just read this article.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/downlo ... AC-Fix.pdf
Does sound like it could be the problem.
We will try to check it out tomorrow or so.
Is it an easy enough fix for someone who has never done it?

Post by **abscate** » 04 Jul 2014, 07:08

The shim fix isn't too bad but takes a couple of hours working on your back.

95% of us here, myself included,fix this with the bread clip fix of either plastic shims, zip ties, or metal shims inserted on the clutch side. This takes about 11 minutes.