850 Air Cond./ Not superheat problem

Jul 02, 2004 7 Replies

'94 850, standard A/C.



Most times, the A/C works fine, and cools well. Occasionally, the compressor does not run. When this occurs, the blue indicator on the dash does not light.



Most often when it fails to work the car has been driven, shut off, (sometimes for just a minute or two, sometimes for 1/2 hour or so) and when restarted, the indicator lights for perhaps two seconds, goes out, and the car will not cool.



Yesterday this occurred, and fiteen minutes later, driving with the windows down, I felt a blast of cool air, and saw the indicator lit. The A/C worked well the rest of the way home.



Two things to consider:


1) the superheat switch has been bypassed already


2) The R134 charge is 'normal' per my cheapie suction-side guage/filler.



I suspect something is getting heat-soaked, and failing, but I don't know what I might check before sending it to the repair shop.



Any ideas?



Thanks!


Magnetic clutch gap too large?

with a feeler gauge, can't tell you what the gap should be on the Volvo but do a search and check that as a starting point.

mine had a cold solder joint on the switch board.

Ron/Champ 6

1963 8E5 Champ (Champ 6) 1962 Lark Daytona Convertible (Boomerang) 1995 VW Passat (Vanilla..yuk) 1994 Volvo 850 (Tilley)

Ron/Champ 6

1963 8E5 Champ (Champ 6) 1962 Lark Daytona Convertible (Boomerang) 1995 VW Passat (Vanilla..yuk) 1994 Volvo 850 (Tilley)

Hey that was close enough to help me find my problem! last 3 times the A/C acted up, I blasted the switch with a can of air to cool it, and it started working.

Figuring I had nothing to lose, I carefully disassembled the switch, and found a burnt contact. I cleaned ther contacts, reassembles it, and so far, so good, I don't expect it will last too long, but who knows. At least I've got time to find another switch.

Thanks all!

Ron

Ron/Champ 6

1963 8E5 Champ (Champ 6) 1962 Lark Daytona Convertible (Boomerang) 1995 VW Passat (Vanilla..yuk) 1994 Volvo 850 (Tilley)

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