A/C Fun Please help (Long, but detailed for better help)

[junkcollector]

I need to do a bit more diagnostics... I took a look at the electric shroud fan - that seems to come on just fine shortly after turning on the A/C. Then I noticed the compressor cycling a lot - similar to other posts here about low refrigerant. Now I get the blinking A/C and Recirc lights, so I'm going to hook up my code reader to see what it says. I bought an A/C recharge kit with a gauge so I can measure the pressure. Advance Auto had a great deal on a two-bottle kit with U/V and light pen for $40. I will post again when I know more - I have a long weekend to play with it...

[Ozark Lee]

Unless you have a very high dollar Volvo specific code reader it won't tell you anything about the A/C system - only the engine and transmission. Many times the flashing lights are due to the interior temp sensor fan being clogged up with lint.

...Lee

[djm850]

Any more info? I've seem to have a similar situation. Charged the system 3 years ago. Ran fine. This year had to do it again, but it seemed to be down two weeks later. Filled again thinking maybe low pressure valve might have gotten stuck, but now occasionaly it will blow warm, turn if off for a bit then back on and fine. Condenser fan runs with AC on at idle. With A/C set on 1, compressor cycles on for about 8 secs. then off for about 5 and so on. Bought another charge with dye and Indie will be testing with UV and sniffer. Any advice before going?

[Ozark Lee]

The bad news is that your evaporator is likely leaking and you are already low again on R-134A. One of mine is taking a can a week of R134A. The clutch gap issue tends to be typified by the system working just fine for 15 minutes or so and then it quits and wont come back on until things cool down. If you can get your hands on a gauge set it would be helpful to know your low pressure side readings while the system is running.

...Lee

[junkcollector]

So I charged the A/C system up with the kit from Advance - it was definately low at 25 psi, probably a slow leak somewhere, since it had not been charged in maybe 4-5 years. So one full 18 oz bottle (with some dye & oil) plus a couple of oz from another bottle - that seemed to have done the trick, bringing it up to 45 psi. The A/C stays on and blows as cold as it ever has and I drove the car for 1/2 hour without the A/C crapping out (that's the farthest I've taken it since the fix). I checked the psi after driving for 20 min and it was higher - around 53 psi (the gauge really helps) - I'm not sure why, but it's not in the red (65 and up).

I'm still not convinced I've gotten to the root of the problem - I'm going to be watching the pressure over the next few weeks and also checking with the UV light underneath. I'm a bit distracted from the A/C issue because the No. 2 solenoid is now acting up and putting the transmission in limp mode - but that's another issue I'm working...