Weird AC Problem

artbar92706 · Post by **artbar92706** » 22 Aug 2008, 15:39

I have 1996 850, no turbo. This happy little thing lets me use the AC when it feels like it!

When I first turn it on, it works fine. If I stop n Go into a store, when I come back and get into car, no workie.

If I am riding on highway, as long as spped is same and dont stop, workie. If I stop, no workie. If RPM goes high to overtake, Stop Workie.

Recently too, the blower quit, fuse okay, compressor works and as I move the ac blows in cold aire whilst in motion. but if any of the above happen, it go bye bye. This has baffled me for quite a few years now.

Have done a bypass on pressure sensors (two) and nothing. Charge is fine too.

Thanks in advance for any help on the subject!

Art

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Aug 2008, 17:12

It sounds like the compressor clutch gap has gotten too large. It can be shimmed without replacing the compressor. I believe the repair is in the repair database section.

artbar92706 · Post by **artbar92706** » 22 Aug 2008, 17:17

would that prevent the clutch from engaging? I cant even hear a click or anything like when you normally turn it on & off

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Aug 2008, 17:19

Yes it does...you don't hear the click because it doesn't engage...this is all said assuming that you have the right amount of gas in the system.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 22 Aug 2008, 17:19

+1 on the clutch gap. Here are some links to good threads that discuss the subject.

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

Be sure to see N8-50's writeup.

Here is a link to the ghetto fix:

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

...Lee

khooper · Post by **khooper** » 22 Aug 2008, 20:04

It blows at idle but not cold? Sound to be condenser fan or condenser coil is dirty/blocked.
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Post by **vegasjetskier** » 23 Aug 2008, 07:06

artbar92706 wrote:If RPM goes high to overtake, Stop Workie.

Most cars have a cutout switch to turn off the AC at full throttle to give you maximum passing power.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 23 Aug 2008, 07:51

True, but for the A/C to then not come back on typically points to the compressor clutch. Many have had the same issue here and have fixed it from looking at Lee's provided links.

madorion · Post by **madorion** » 31 Aug 2008, 11:42

Hi All,
I had the same problem with my BMW.(sorry) It turns out the condenser fan seized. I would get great cooling at highway speed but nil in around town driving. Sometimes the electric condenser fan gets hard to turn due to bearing failure or rubbing on another component. Under or overcharged systems will have somewhat the same symtoms.

Quote: "If there is a 50-50 chance that something can go wrong, then 9 times out of ten it will. "
Paul Harvey

Post by **wheelsup** » 02 Sep 2008, 00:56

My radiator fan relay (I think that is what it is called) was going bad and I had the same symptoms. Make yourself a little alligator clip jump cable and next time you get into the car and the compressor won't work, jump the fan relay and make the radiator fan turn on. The compressor should turn on then if the relay is going bad. If it doesn't then it's something else.