240 1993 Stalls

[240Dad]

Here is a "Is this even possible" question.
My 93 volvo has air, ps and pb. I had noticed that, occasionally, the air conditioner would "chirp". I delivered the car to my daughter Tuesday. She found the air conditioner switch yesterday (long story) and called to say that the car dash would light up then stall. She could start it and it would go a few hundred feet and do it again. Since the only intermittent problem I had seen was the AC, I figured there was a connection.
Is it possible that, given that the belts are new and tight, when the compressor clutch locks up it could stall the engine?
Thanks,
Bill

[billofdurham]

when the compressor clutch locks up

By this do you mean when the clutch engages, it shouldn't lock, or do you suspect that the clutch is not working as advertised i.e. not cycling on and off?

Since this happened has your daughter tried running the car with the AC switched off and if so did she have any problems?

I have never heard of the compressor clutch actually stopping the engine but I have heard of one that did jam on engaging and the drive belt eventually snapped through friction. It did warn the driver by screaming loudly but he turned up the radio to drown out the noise.

Bill.

[240Dad]

Bill,
Thanks for the reply. By locking up I mean just stopping. Sure enough I just texted her and she sad the only time she did it today was when she briefly turned it on because it was so hot on Knoxville today. I explained that my first car did not have AC and that I was OK with that but somehow it did not comfort her at all. She says that the only time the belt squeals is when the AC is on. So, I think we have found the problem. I suspect that the fact that the car has about 200,000 mile on it has had an effect on the compression and aids in the stall. So, the next question is, can I replace the clutch only or do I have to replace the compressor as a unit? What is the best approach to this moneywise?
Thanks,
Bill

[billofdurham]

I explained that my first car did not have AC and that I was OK with that but somehow it did not comfort her at all.

We mollycoddle them too much The first car that I had with AC was the 960 which I bought in 1996. Most UK cars didn't have AC until the late 1990s. We just smiled and wiped the perspiration away.

I have digressed. The clutch can be replaced but you would still need to have the system evacuated. There were several different compressors used on the 240 so if you can find out which one is on your car I probably have the instructions for replacing the clutch.

A couple of other things to check before tearing it apart: Compressor clutch circuit open and compressor clutch coil inoperative. You can test these with the engine switched off by momentarily putting a jumper wire from the battery + to the compressor connector. You should hear the clutch jump in. Also check the clutch earth (ground) connection.

Bill.

[240Dad]

Okay, my daughter brought the 240 home from school yesterday and left with me to fix the AC. Here is what I found on the side of the compressor:
VOLVO
Model SS121DS5
Ser. No. Can't read
OIL SK20cc
Frig. R134a
SEIKO SEIKI
Made in Japan
If I can fix the clutch, I would like to do that. If not, and I have to replace the compressor, what else should I replace along with it to bring it up to snuff?
Thanks,
Bill

[billofdurham]

Unfortunately I can't help on this one. I have 30+ overhaul sheets for compressors fitted to the older Volvo models. Seiko Seiki is listed but states, "Volvo Seiko-Seiki compressor servicing procedure is not available from the manufacturer".

As I have acquired these documents over the years from friendly Volvo techs (they can be found) I contacted one today to see if he had could update the service sheets. Volvo's own sheets are the same and neither he nor his colleagues has ever done a Seiko-Seiki.

Bill.

[240Dad]

Thanks, Bill. I will get with my local mechanic tonight and see what we can do.
Bill