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Aircon only works for a short time?

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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Blue 8
Posts: 6
Joined: 9 July 2008
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Aircon only works for a short time?

Post by Blue 8 »

Hi all,

The uk is finally getting a summer 8) and guess what my Aircon has packed up :(

It seems to work on first start up for all of 10 mins then it stops i guessed low pressure.

So i called an Air-con guy out yesterday to re-gas my system.

The guy connected his equipment up using both high and low ports , did tests which all showed up as ok/normal.

He then proceeded to do his thing IE drain and check for leaks etc this took about an hour.

All was still showing ok no leaks etc.

After draining down the system he weighed what was recover 534Gramms he then started to re-fill and oil, the system took 720Gramms.

He then run more tests with the air-con running checking clutch and pressures etc, again all was just how it should be, temp at mid vent went from 13 degrees down to 2degrees, all was great, so i paid and the guy left.

Off i go out for a drive 5 mins into my trip and the air con stopped working just as it had did before, so i drive back home and call the guy back.

Guy turns up starts the car and yup air-con working a treat that is all for a bout 5mins then the compressor stopped, and had no intention of re-starting.

Shut the car off for 1/2 an hour then re-started and sure as you like air-con work fine again.

This guy spent close on 4 hours working on my air-con running various tests etc and could not find a fault with the air-con its self.

The air-con will work fine on first start up for about 10 Min's then it justs shuts down until you turn off the car and leave it for 1/2 an hour or so then it will work again all be it for only 5/10 Min's

In all fairness to the guy after all that work he only charged 1/2 price for the re-fill

VCA
Posts: 645
Joined: 21 February 2008
Year and Model: 2008 S80 T6 AWD
Location: Orlando, FL
Been thanked: 5 times

Post by VCA »

[quote="Blue 8"]Hi all,

The uk is finally getting a summer 8) and guess what my Aircon has packed up :(

It seems to work on first start up for all of 10 mins then it stops i guessed low pressure.

So i called an Air-con guy out yesterday to re-gas my system.

The guy connected his equipment up using both high and low ports , did tests which all showed up as ok/normal.

He then proceeded to do his thing IE drain and check for leaks etc this took about an hour.

All was still showing ok no leaks etc.

After draining down the system he weighed what was recover 534Gramms he then started to re-fill and oil, the system took 720Gramms.

He then run more tests with the air-con running checking clutch and pressures etc, again all was just how it should be, temp at mid vent went from 13 degrees down to 2degrees, all was great, so i paid and the guy left.

Off i go out for a drive 5 mins into my trip and the air con stopped working just as it had did before, so i drive back home and call the guy back.

Guy turns up starts the car and yup air-con working a treat that is all for a bout 5mins then the compressor stopped, and had no intention of re-starting.

Shut the car off for 1/2 an hour then re-started and sure as you like air-con work fine again.

This guy spent close on 4 hours working on my air-con running various tests etc and could not find a fault with the air-con its self.

The air-con will work fine on first start up for about 10 Min's then it justs shuts down until you turn off the car and leave it for 1/2 an hour or so then it will work again all be it for only 5/10 Min's

In all fairness to the guy after all that work he only charged 1/2 price for the re-fill
2008 S80 T6 AWD
1999 S70 GLT

Responsible for the care of a '92 960 and an '07 S60R

Blue 8
Posts: 6
Joined: 9 July 2008
Year and Model:
Location:

Post by Blue 8 »

Hi VCA , sorry i should of said, the car is a UK spec 1996 850 n/a 2.5 20 valve 5 cylinder.

Coming out from the fire wall i have two pipes one has a little two pin clip clip connector going onto a switch, is this the one your referring to?

I will do your test tomorrow, once the A/C has quit working for what ever the reason is , is having continuity at the switch a good thing or bad?
Cheers
Lewis

VCA
Posts: 645
Joined: 21 February 2008
Year and Model: 2008 S80 T6 AWD
Location: Orlando, FL
Been thanked: 5 times

Post by VCA »

Blue 8 wrote:Hi VCA , sorry i should of said, the car is a UK spec 1996 850 n/a 2.5 20 valve 5 cylinder.

Coming out from the fire wall i have two pipes one has a little two pin clip clip connector going onto a switch, is this the one your referring to?

I will do your test tomorrow, once the A/C has quit working for what ever the reason is , is having continuity at the switch a good thing or bad?
Cheers
Lewis
Yes, that's the switch I'm referring to. Continuity is good...open circuit is bad.
2008 S80 T6 AWD
1999 S70 GLT

Responsible for the care of a '92 960 and an '07 S60R

Diesels_n_Poker
Posts: 11
Joined: 28 June 2008
Year and Model:
Location:

Post by Diesels_n_Poker »

You have a high pressure port? Lucky dog... Compressor has an overheat switch on it doesn't it? Check that also...

Good luck with it - I just spent a couple weeks filling up the AC THREAD through my trials with my 850. You'll sort it out. Just don't work backwards...

Ozark Lee
MVS Moderator
Posts: 14798
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Year and Model: Many Volvos
Location: USA Midwest
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Post by Ozark Lee »

Your solution is likely here:

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.ph ... opic=16658

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/Ac-Therm ... 76833.html

Be sure to see N8-50's pdf writeup. It is the proper way to fix the problem.

The ghetto repair is here:

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.ph ... opic=80181

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

Blue 8
Posts: 6
Joined: 9 July 2008
Year and Model:
Location:

Post by Blue 8 »

Guys you really are a great help, im going to try what VCA has said this afternoon when i wake up ( i work nights) :wink: if i have a open circuit once the A/C as quit does that mean the fault is down to that switch and not the clutch? if so can i fit a new switch with out draining the system?

Ozark Lee, cheers fella for the links really helpful , that ghetto fix is one cleaver alternative, that man deserves a pint..

PS , just read all 114 posts in the A/C thread, some very helpful info in there , need to buy my self a set of gauges now :wink: am i right in 0.76mm should be the gap when i insert the gauge behind the pulley :?:
Lewis ( UK)

2.5 CD 20v 854 Manual

Blue 8
Posts: 6
Joined: 9 July 2008
Year and Model:
Location:

Post by Blue 8 »

Right here goes, ive checked for continuity at the switch and even when the A/C quits i still have Continuity, so im guessing that's good?

I have also checked the gap between the front plate and the pulley and i have a gap of 0.93mm or there abouts, where as from what i have read i should have a gap of 0.76mm , would an excess 0.17mm cause the clutch to fail to engage, it seem very slight to me :?

Please reply back guys your help really is appreciated
Cheers
Lewis
Lewis ( UK)

2.5 CD 20v 854 Manual

Ozark Lee
MVS Moderator
Posts: 14798
Joined: 7 September 2006
Year and Model: Many Volvos
Location: USA Midwest
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Post by Ozark Lee »

The original spec is said to be 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm. They get problematic at around 0.8 mm.

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

Blue 8
Posts: 6
Joined: 9 July 2008
Year and Model:
Location:

Post by Blue 8 »

Ozark Lee wrote:The original spec is said to be 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm. They get problematic at around 0.8 mm.

...Lee
Thanks Lee,

0.4 wow thats tight, ok im going to make up some packers now, i`ll report back soon
Lewis
Lewis ( UK)

2.5 CD 20v 854 Manual

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