Dead AC on '94 850

beewerks · Post by **beewerks** » 19 May 2009, 17:21

I've hear that it's pretty common for the AC to die on these cars. I've been trying figure out what's wrong with mine for long time and any advice I could get from you guys would be much appreciated! First off, when I turn the AC switch to on, the little light doesn't come on (the fans are on), second, I don't hear the compressor fire up. I'm not sure where all of the various parts are on the car for it. Are there any things under the hood I should check or look at?

dan2286 · Post by **dan2286** » 19 May 2009, 19:04

Have the pressure checked. If there is no refrigerant, the compressor is not going to turn on.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 19 May 2009, 19:56

I agree- you can "jump-start" the compressor for a short period of time in order to fill it with gas, but since you're asking very basic questions, I would get it checked by a professional.

beewerks · Post by **beewerks** » 19 May 2009, 22:16

Alrighty, I'll see if I can find a someone here in CO to take a look at it and see where to start with it. Thanks for your help. Happy driving!

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 20 May 2009, 11:32

First off, when I turn the AC switch to on, the little light doesn't come on

Is this an electronic climate unit or a manual? On the electronic version the light should be off when the A/C is on. If you have a manual climate unit and the light doesn't come on chances are it is a bad switch - I've had two of them go bad on both of my cars with the manual climate units. You can test the theory by pulling out your radio (you will need the radio code) and reaching up and squeezing the switch - if the light comes on when you squeeze the switch it is bad.

...Lee

KRUZNBY · Post by **KRUZNBY** » 20 May 2009, 17:33

On the electronic version the light should be off when the A/C is on.

This confused me for a bit too. I just bought an 850 and it's strange that the light has to be on for the A/C to be off. I guess Volvo wanted us to leave it on most of the time.

beewerks · Post by **beewerks** » 21 May 2009, 16:21

I have a manual climate control system. I pulled out the radio and black cover with the temp knobs to see if I could mess with the switch. Replugging it and twisting/squeezing the switch's base didn't get the light going. I need to see if there's a way to test the switch itself with a multi-meter or something. It would be nice if it was just the switch.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 21 May 2009, 22:32

It would be nice if it was just the switch.

You say that but I forget to tell you the price. At my stealership it was over $100.00. I paid since my wife drives that car and, while my wife is hot, she doesn't like being hot and she lets me know about it. I'll try to dig through the schematics and give you some wire colors to check. The schematics are on a different computer.

...Lee