98 V70XC - A/C blowing hot air, P0116 code

[Ozark Lee]

Those really wouldn't be my first choice but the way they work is that they actually slice through the insulation. You don't strip the wire at all, you just insert both ends and then crimp the center splice bar with a pair of pliers. The cover then snaps over the splice bar.

They are actually made to do a tap type splice but they work the same for splicing a wire with two ends. On the side with the open end you want the wire to go almost to the open end but don't let the wire extend beyond the open end. On the other side shove the wire in as far as it will go.

...Lee

[mtd240]

Those really wouldn't be my first choice but the way they work is that they actually slice through the insulation. You don't strip the wire at all, you just insert both ends and then crimp the center splice bar with a pair of pliers. The cover then snaps over the splice bar.

They are actually made to do a tap type splice but they work the same for splicing a wire with two ends. On the side with the open end you want the wire to go almost to the open end but don't let the wire extend beyond the open end. On the other side shove the wire in as far as it will go.

...Lee

I didn't want to chop the connector off of the harness side, so I did end up doing a "tap-type" splice. Seems a lot more hardy and reliable than a butt-connector. Volvo doesn't sell the harness-side connector individually (got a quote from Tasca for the whole harness - $2300 ). I would consider buying a new connector, something like this, to splice in as a more permanent solution, but I haven't had the time.

[mindshadow]

I think I'm going to get a cordless soldering iron and have another go at it. Right now I'm about two steps away from trading the thing in. I'm having one of those "everything falling apart at once" moments where since the windows were down because of the A/C not working, the wind got intense and started ripping the headliner down, so I had a real big "fuck this" moment yesterday. My wife has a new 2014 Fusion and that thing is damned nice. Every time I get in it I'm like "oh... cold air, a backup camera, bluetooth... look at all these things!" I love the Volvo, but damn... it's frustrating me right now.

[mtd240]

I think I'm going to get a cordless soldering iron and have another go at it. Right now I'm about two steps away from trading the thing in. I'm having one of those "everything falling apart at once" moments where since the windows were down because of the A/C not working, the wind got intense and started ripping the headliner down, so I had a real big "fuck this" moment yesterday. My wife has a new 2014 Fusion and that thing is damned nice. Every time I get in it I'm like "oh... cold air, a backup camera, bluetooth... look at all these things!" I love the Volvo, but damn... it's frustrating me right now.

Haha, I think all of us have had those moments. Many have succumbed to the allure of a new "maintenance-free" (for a while) car, especially those of us with biodegradable interiors . Don't give in! Car payments, higher insurance, depreciation, reduced longevity/durability, and increased complexity are all waiting for you on the other side. Imagine the "everything falling apart at once" moment on a car with a couple dozen ECUs and close to a mile of wiring.

[mindshadow]

Yeah, true. But right now after I fix the a/c, I'm still looking at new brakes, a PCV job, and new struts at minimum. :\

[mtd240]

Yeah, true. But right now after I fix the a/c, I'm still looking at new brakes, a PCV job, and new struts at minimum. :\

What's wrong with the AC? Brakes aren't too bad. Only get OEM PCV stuff, aside from the larger hose for the PCV mod. When I did my front struts, I replaced the entire front suspension (struts, HD seats, mounts, end links, control arms) and steering (inner tie rods, outer tie rod ends) with OEM/Lemforder, and plan to do it every 100k miles. Less time under the car - everything needed to come off anyway. I didn't do the springs - maybe at 200k intervals

With anything (especially Volvos it seems), the only way to "win" is to use the highest quality parts, and rebuild entire assemblies at once rather than one component at a time (within reason). That is unless you have time for tinkering every day.

If it ain't broke, but you're already in there, fix it anyway.

[mindshadow]

Hell if I know what's wrong with the A/C. That's what this thread is about.