1998 SL, A/C compressor will not engage

Klavolvo · Post by **Klavolvo** » 03 Jul 2009, 16:32

Hello, I am trying to find out if there are fuses and/or relays that could keep my A/C pump from engaging. The system show charged, the A/C light says "on" in the dashboard, but I can physicall see that the pump is NOT turning.

Many Thanks,
Damon

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 03 Jul 2009, 20:17

Sounds like a bad compressor clutch gap to me... there are several threads on here about that as well as a cheap/easy fix. Take a look and search for "clutch gap" in the repair database.

Klavolvo · Post by **Klavolvo** » 06 Jul 2009, 15:50

Thanks for your reply. What is a "clutch gap"?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 06 Jul 2009, 20:01

This:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... c&start=20

I have not yet had to mess with any of mine but the "bread clip" method has had rave reviews.

...Lee

chernobyl1 · Post by **chernobyl1** » 08 May 2011, 12:59

I'm having the same problem on my wife's '99 V70. All the lights and indicators on the climate control panel are acting regularly but the compressor will just not kick in. Its about 75 degrees out today and without A/C its a bit too hot for our 8 month old. Did the breadclip "fix" yesterday to no avail. Put a can of refrigerant on it the other day and with the compressor off the pressure was reading in the 60 PSI range. From some other threads that I've seen on MVS that seems a bit low, but would it prevent the Compressor from engaging at all?

Looking for some ideas for what else might be the problem. Tried pulling the A/C relay while the engine was running and it killed the whole thing. Not sure if that means the relay is still doing its job or not.

Stumped on this one and would like to fix the wife's A/C for mother's day. Any help would be appreciated!

Post by **jblackburn** » 08 May 2011, 13:45

Try jumping the low pressure switch at the firewall line on the passenger side and feeding it in. You cannot charge up the system unless the compressor is circulating the refrigerant.

chernobyl1 · Post by **chernobyl1** » 08 May 2011, 22:55

Good call. I will try that first thing and let you know how it goes.

MatDesign84 · Post by **MatDesign84** » 08 May 2011, 23:55

Maybe I'm just being greedy, but I wish someone would write a "How to fix your A/C for dummies" thread, I would like to tackle mine after I get some other problems sorted, but with such wide spread threads covering different issues, its enough to make someone cross-eyed. Just Sayin'...

VolvoKev · Post by **VolvoKev** » 31 May 2011, 08:20

I've run into a similar issue with my wife's 06 V50. AC blows extremely cold for 1st 15-20 minutes on a hot day, but suddenly starts blowing outside warm air. Clutch disengages, and won't re-engage until you turn it off for a few minutes. On a 90 degree day, a few minutes feels like forever, especially with a 18 month old in the car. I tried the "bread clip" fix yesterday with zip ties instead of bread clips and superglue. I figured this would be a good way to test the fix, without the permanent adhesion of superglue. I will update once it is tested out today (another 90 degree day in NY). My only question is, is there a possibility of the plastic melting as the clutch heats up a bit. My assumption is no, being that many people have "shimmed" using this method, but that would be my main concern. If this fails, it's time to go proper and remove the plate and a couple of the washers.

Post by **misha** » 02 Jun 2011, 14:14

Klavolvo wrote:...the A/C light says "on" in the dashboard...

When Ac is ON the orange light at ac control panel should be OFF

When Ac is OFF,then the light on the Ac control panel will be ON(for ecc climate control).

I suppose that you're talking about the little orange light just under Ac switch,because there is NO Ac light on the dashboard.