2002 S-60 Air conditioning

Keithcanuck · Post by **Keithcanuck** » 26 May 2015, 15:08

Hey fellow Volvo owners. My air comes on strong and then blows warm. Like the other posters, it comes on when shut off for a while but doesn't stay that way. A fellow in a garage had a quick look and said that the small fan on the radiator doesn't come on. Does this sound expensive? I had hoped it only needed a top up charge but this sounds costly. Any replies would sure be appreciated.

Post by **oragex** » 26 May 2015, 15:48

Your description sounds like the typical 'clutch shimming' fix, you may want to google about it. It is caused by the A/C clutch getting worn and disengaging by itself after a few minutes. The radiator fan will turn off if this clutch is disengaging so perhaps the mechanic guy noticed the fan is not turning because the A/C clutch wasn't engaged.

The radiator fan behind the front of the car must always run at least at lower speed while the A/C is engaged. Have a look at this fan when the A/C has just started - i.e. for the first minutes while it blows cold air.

Keithcanuck · Post by **Keithcanuck** » 26 May 2015, 16:07

Thanks I think you nailed it! I appreciate that very much.

Keithcanuck · Post by **Keithcanuck** » 26 May 2015, 16:15

Any idea as to what I should expect to pay for this- if it is the cause? Just a ball park would be great.

Post by **oragex** » 26 May 2015, 16:56

If the shims trick works, it will cost nothing, perhaps 30 minutes to put the three shims in place by your mechanic. There should be a very tiny gap at the clutch plate, don't remember well but it's close to half a mm.

If the radiator fan is faulty, it's caused by the relay box which is wired to the fan assembly. About 0.5-1h to remove and put back in place, and about $50 in parts if bought used off Ebay (what I did with mine).

Post by **vtl** » 26 May 2015, 19:56

Other possibility is overcharged A/C system. It starts to build excessive pressure on a high side of the system, and the system shuts down to avoid further problems.

Worn A/C clutch can be reshimmed: remove the clutch, it has two shims inside (red on the picture). Remove thinner or thicker one to have gap in range of ~0.3..0.5 mm. I removed PS pump and alternator and worked on compressor from above, but I think it's possible to do it with everything in place and the bumper dropped down. If you go this way, make sure to unbolt clutch's center bolt (10 mm?) with serpentine belt in place, because it will likely be impossible to work with A/C counterhold tool (green on the picture) in this tight space. You may need to remove the passenger wheel and hold crankshaft in place.