Climate control and coolant issues

[patrickjcrum]

1995 850Turbo, 143,000 miles

Hi,
I have several issues related to my cooling/climate control that I'd like to address: Any help/advise is appreciated!
First a little history-This may be unrelated to the current issue, but just in case it isn't I though I'd put it in. About 7 months ago the AC condensor ruptured, spraying really smelly green stuff all over the engine- at first I thought it to be coolant, but I surmise it was some sort of sealant that was in with the freon. Anyway I didn't bother fixing it, and shortly thereafter the Compressor seized/failed. At that point, rather than replace I just put a shorter belt on and bypassed the compressor alltogether. Ever since then I've had flashing lights on the AC controls, but ignored them thinking it was related to the lack of AC components.

More recently the heater core burst, filling my cabin with coolant and steam and all that.
I replaced the core, and topped up the system with 50/50 premix (prestone from Wal-mart FWIW)
Ever since doing this, I do not get much heat from the CC system and the engine water temp barely rises even when the car has been driven for a long time.
Last night I noticed that I was getting heat on the passenger side, but not on the driver side- the driver side control does not seem to do anything at all.
Also I think my blower is dying as it is very low even when turned all the way up.

So, where do I start? Replace the control unit? the servo unit, I think the blower is a given, maybe the resistor as well?
I'm really concerned with the lack of engine heat- Winter is coming and I don't want the engine frozen!

Again, I appreciate any advise!

[jblackburn]

Start with replacing the thermostat and coolant temperature sensor in the engine. Follow the upper radiator hose over to the thermostat housing; there's a write-up for replacing it here.
Replace thermostat volvo 850 s70 v70 c70 or xc70

You may then blow out both of the temperature sensors in the vents in the grab handles above your door, and read the codes for the climate control system.

Read and clear all codes from B1 as shown here. Write them down and come back and we'll have a better idea of where you stand:
http://www.volvospeed.com/CheckEngine.php

[Klausc]

Scan and clear your codes from B-1, that is making the orange lights blink. You know the AC isn't working, so ignore that code. When the lights blink, the ECC unit will not work in automatic mode, so the blower and vent selector cannot be on auto.

Replace the thermostat with an OEM equivelent, the cheap ones tend to fail in the closed position and the engine will overheat and die. Drain a small amount of coolant out of the block so nothing spills on the alternator when you remove the top hose. The two T40 screws that hold down the housing strip easily, so use a good quality torx driver.