A/C stopped working

Metallo · Post by **Metallo** » 30 Jun 2023, 15:00

Hi folks,

2006 - AWD XC70
The A/C no longer blows cool air, so I ran a VIDA diagnostic and got the following:

: Capture.JPG (100.99 KiB) Viewed 354 times

If I press the AC switch it does not look like the compressor starts.
According to my wife, the radiator fan is always on, and it became very noisy.

My questions:

Is the part below the one supposed to be defective?

Snap 2023-06-30 at 17.50.59.png (88.48 KiB) Viewed 354 times

How can I be sure that the sensor is the issue?
If the sensor is the problem, do I need to empty the system before replacing the sensor?

Thank you!
Alex

Post by **jonesg** » 30 Jun 2023, 17:32

They usually have a check valve that allows swapping out without losing gas.

Post by **abscate** » 01 Jul 2023, 03:36

Look for specs on the sensor for voltage or resistance as a function of pressure and see if it is responding in good faith. Inspect the connector and wiring carefully forcuts and bruises

That’s the last steps in diagnostics

Post by **chrism** » 01 Jul 2023, 05:22

As a test to verify a faulty sensor, can the wires be temporarily jumped (bypassing the sensor) to see if that will call for the compressor to engage? That is a common test on the older models.

Metallo · Post by **Metallo** » 01 Jul 2023, 06:18

Could you please confirm if the sensor is the one I posted in the above VIDA screenshot?

If so, I guess I need to remove the front bumper to access it, am I right?

Thanks you all for your advice.

Alex

Post by **jonesg** » 01 Jul 2023, 10:01

remove the air dam , see if you can reach up.
I took my air dam off 6 yrs ago, still have it someplace.

Post by **jonesg** » 01 Jul 2023, 18:22

Mine was similar, you might have to drop rad and intercooler out the bottom together, you should be able to get to the sensor.

Metallo · Post by **Metallo** » 01 Jul 2023, 19:02

Thank you guys, I will give it a shot and see if I can get to the sensor.

Post by **erikv11** » 01 Jul 2023, 23:01

chrism wrote: ↑01 Jul 2023, 05:22 As a test to verify a faulty sensor, can the wires be temporarily jumped (bypassing the sensor) to see if that will call for the compressor to engage? That is a common test on the older models.

Yep, absolutely.

Remove the connector, carefully run a wire across the two terminals inside the connector, start the car see if the AC engages. Only use for short-term test.

Post by **P80GLT** » 02 Jul 2023, 00:08

When my A/C compressor seized Vida gave me a pressure sensor fault code therefore the code doesn't always mean the sensor is faulty. More checks need done before you change the sensor