I have a UK Feb 97 V70 (2.5 10v) with Climate Control. The Air Con has been really good for 9 years, that is until now.
The air con clicks on when I start the car and runs really cold BUT sometimes, not always, the aircon clicks out and does not seem to want to come back on again until it has had a rest or I have parked the car for a short while. The symptoms are a bit vague I am afraid because ther are not always entirely consistant. When the air goes off clearly there is no chilling effect and there is also a slightly stale smell (not cabbages) until it eventually comes on again.
I have had the R134a pressure checked and that was ok not indicating any leaks. Pressure was slightly low but then after 6 years since it was last repressurised...........
I have read on the Volvo Owners Club Website that there is a clutch (???) on the Air Con Compressor that is continually clicking on and off and that this may be playing up - apparently this can be re-gapped to take out some wear, the 'gap' being too wide or something.
Can anybody help me out here with a bit more info on the air con clutch and whether this is the most likely problem or should I be looking elsewhere. I am a bit reluctant to take the car into Volvo to start fiddling around with at their charge out rates especially as they did not appear to be all that knowledgeable on the subject. About the best I could get was 'bring it in Sir and let us take a look, it could be almost anything' - really confidence building stuff this.
Any help, direction, I really would like to understand what is going on here.
Many thanks to everybody
Bruce