1995 Volvo 850 GLT-- AC Question

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 28 Jul 2016, 14:13

Does AC in a car work better, that is get colder, when the car is moving at higher rates of speed, compared to being motionless or lower speeds?

I haven't noticed this with my Volvo, but did notice this with a VW Passat, and a 2002 Nissan Maxima.

I thought given they are different models, this may extend to my Volvo, or is some general automotive knowledge that I'm unaware of.

I expect the air to be warm when the car first starts after sitting overnight. Driving around 20-30 mph the AC seems to kick in more, but a few minutes later when I reach a stretch of road where I can drive 55 the air gets noticeably cooler coming out of the vents.

The AC is set to recirculate in both vehicles. I understand the recirc. function, but as I said above, perhaps there's something I don't understand.

Thanks in advance

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 28 Jul 2016, 15:18

Marginally better. The way the Volvo system is set up it turns on the electric radiator fan any time the air conditioner is on and that tends to move sufficient air across the condenser coil to keep things efficient. The compressor RPMs are higher at speed so it circulates the refrigerant at a slightly higher rate and thus removes heat a bit better. All told the Volvo setup is pretty darn good when it is properly charged.

...Lee

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 29 Jul 2016, 00:02

Thanks Lee- I was hoping you'd reply. Your experience and thoughts are ALWAYS appreciated by me.

To be honest, I've always felt my 95' 850GLT AC's system was under powered as in Volvo didn't design it to be strong enough. My Nissan Maxima, granted a 2002 model (and larger cabin) cools much faster and colder.

I need to fix my driver's side windshield wiper so it doesn't bend (probably get one of those S70s), and need to replace the right rear trunk drain hose, not the sunroof hose, the other one. Somehow the lower portion was crushed during installation.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 29 Jul 2016, 18:28

I agree with your observations, viper69. I've noticed the fan itself seems to move less air than other cars I ride around in. Is the 850 fan on the weak side or should I start looking at obstructions to the air flow and/or issues with power being supplied to the motor?

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 29 Jul 2016, 21:56

Good question. I really don't know. Personally I feel it's under powered from a manufacturing/design standpoint.

Post by **tryingbe** » 29 Jul 2016, 22:27

polskamafia mjl wrote:I've noticed the fan itself seems to move less air than other cars I ride around in. Is the 850 fan on the weak side

850 have a 2 speed fan setup. The low speed is on when a/c is on. High speed is on when the engine needs the cooling.

Post by **abscate** » 30 Jul 2016, 04:16

I think one is talking radiator fan and the other climate control system fan. It's good thing there are fan moderators, even if there are few moderator fans.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 30 Jul 2016, 18:27

tryingbe wrote:
polskamafia mjl wrote:I've noticed the fan itself seems to move less air than other cars I ride around in. Is the 850 fan on the weak side
850 have a 2 speed fan setup. The low speed is on when a/c is on. High speed is on when the engine needs the cooling.

Interior fan. I apologize for the confusion.

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 05 Aug 2016, 18:14

And all my topic rely email alerts stopped again, crap!

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 05 Aug 2016, 18:18

On my 850 the AC temp gets colder after a few minutes of higher speed driving.