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2001 S60 AC Not Working Correctly

Help, Advice, Owners' Discussion and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's stylish, distinctive P2 platform cars sold as model years 2001-2007 (North American market year designations).

2001 - 2007 V70
2001 - 2004 V70 XC (Cross Country)
2004 - 2007 XC70 (Cross Country)
2001 - 2009 S60
2003 - 2007 S60 R
2004 - 2007 V70 R

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downtime12
Posts: 1
Joined: 21 June 2020
Year and Model: 2001 S-60
Location: USA

2001 S60 AC Not Working Correctly

Post by downtime12 »

I have a 2001 S60 that has this issue: the AC will cool for 5-10 minutes, then stop cooling. I turn it off for 5-10 minutes, and then start it up again, and it then does the same thing.
When I first got the car about 2 years ago, the AC wasn't cooling at all, and I brought it to a dealership who did a dye test and said that the condensor had a leak. So, we replaced it and refilled the freon (on our own, not at the dealership). It now does the above.
Someone suggested that it might be a bad evaporator sensor in the heater box or a sensor inside the compressor. Before I replace the compressor, I want to try to see if it is the evaporator sensor. I am having difficulties locating it (I'm not a mechanic, but am trying to do this myself if it is this sensor). Also, how can I test that this part might be bad on my car? Any leads would be great. Also, I typically get my parts from rockauto, but don't know how to source it there. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Or, we have a good junkyard near us that has been a good source (was there yesterday and got a few small things).
Thanks in advance!

chrism
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Post by chrism »

My 2003 V70 suffered the exact same symptoms. First make sure the compressor is engaging and not cycling off and on - that's the first indication of a failed evaporator sensor.

To access the evaporator sensor you have to drop the kick panel over the drivers feet. The sensor just slides into the evaporator box up above the gas pedal. Pay attention to which way as it rotated when you pull it out as there is a right and wrong way for the air to flow across it.

A healthy sensor will show the following resistance values at the given temperatures:
32 deg F (freezing) = 10K + or - 200 ohms.
77 deg F = about 3K ohms.

When mine failed it was showing:
Garage Temp (80 deg?) = 1400 ohms
77 deg = 1500 ohms
65 deg = 1700 ohms
43 deg = 2200 ohms
Freezer Temp = 2200 ohms

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oragex
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Year and Model: S60 2003
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Post by oragex »

Bad evaporator sensor causes the AC lines in the engine bay to get covered with white 'ice' and also reduces the airflow through vents like the fan is at low speed, but still blows cold. When yours stops cooling, open the hood and look at the clutch (round plate) on the AC compressor, if it doesn't spin for 1 min or more, you may have the clutch gap problem

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