Volvo Community Forum. The Forums of the Volvo Owners Club

Forum Rules Volvo Owners Club About VOC Volvo Gallery Links Volvo History Volvo Press
Go Back   Volvo Owners Club Forum > "Technical Topics" > C30 / S40 & V50 '04-'12 / C70 '06-'13 General

Notices

C30 / S40 & V50 '04-'12 / C70 '06-'13 General Forum for the P1-platform C30 / S40 / V50 / C70 models

Information
  • VOC Members: There is no login facility using your VOC membership number or the details from page 3 of the club magazine. You need to register in the normal way
  • AOL Customers: Make sure you check the 'Remember me' check box otherwise the AOL system may log you out during the session. This is a known issue with AOL.
  • AOL, Yahoo and Plus.net users. Forum owners such as us are finding that AOL, Yahoo and Plus.net are blocking a lot of email generated from forums. This may mean your registration activation and other emails will not get to you, or they may appear in your spam mailbox

Thread Informations

Air con not cold

Views : 657

Replies : 8

Users Viewing This Thread :  

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old May 24th, 2020, 09:39   #1
C30inFrance
Junior Member
 

Last Online: Jul 16th, 2023 15:20
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Limoges
Default Air con not cold

Hi folks, the air con on my C30 isn't blowing cold air. Due to the lockdown (I live in France) the car has had no use for around 6 weeks - the AC was fine before lockdown. Now, just as summer kicks in in earnest, it's packed up

It was regassed 2 years ago (no faults/problems were reported) so I don't suspect it needs regassing - but then again, perhaps it does.

I've been reading of expensive fixes (compressor replacement etc) but I'm obviously hoping the problem is a simple one. Perhaps it's just in need to time and a longer than normal run to sort itself out (overly optimistic, I know!)

Could a period of non-use cause problems? Seals dried up or something??
C30inFrance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 24th, 2020, 09:56   #2
Austin160
Master Member
 

Last Online: Oct 29th, 2021 14:42
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Cardiff
Default

It is not uncommon for systems to be re-gassed to just above the minimum requirement to satisfy a ‘service’ of leak test and re gas.
If it were mine, I would simply get this procedure repeated whenever you can, rather than considering spending money on replacing components.
Kind regards,
Austin.
Austin160 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 24th, 2020, 11:47   #3
C30inFrance
Junior Member
 

Last Online: Jul 16th, 2023 15:20
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Limoges
Default

Thank you for replying Austin. To be honest, I was thinking of doing that as a first step but I read a comment about 'throwing good money after bad' and wondered if a bit of diagnosis wouldn't hurt.

I can't really afford an expensive repair just now so maybe a simple regassing (if poss) will serve for another couple of summers.
C30inFrance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 24th, 2020, 13:20   #4
C30inFrance
Junior Member
 

Last Online: Jul 16th, 2023 15:20
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Limoges
Default

I've just connected OBD & Torque to look at any fault codes. There were 3, only 1 of which* seemed remotely relevant - P2485, relating to the temperature sensor circuit.

*the other 2, P2585 and P0341, are irrelevant here but worrying in their own right!
C30inFrance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 24th, 2020, 13:23   #5
lockstock
Senior Member
 

Last Online: Jan 15th, 2024 16:32
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: london
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by C30inFrance View Post
I've just connected OBD & Torque to look at any fault codes. There were 3, only 1 of which* seemed remotely relevant - P2485, relating to the temperature sensor circuit.

*the other 2, P2585 and P0341, are irrelevant here but worrying in their own right!
There are instructions somewhere to recalibrate the climate control. might be worth searching. Could simply be a faulty temp sensor in the cabin
lockstock is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to lockstock For This Useful Post:
Old May 27th, 2020, 10:44   #6
pdig
Member
 

Last Online: Dec 15th, 2023 14:42
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: London
Default

Hello C30inFrance,

My 2006 V50 had an aircon fault after an impact with a blown lorry tyre hitting the front grill. No obvious damage but the AC unit looking like a radiator at the base of the front of the car below the reg plate had been bent within the filaments. The condenser needed replacement. Has anything hit the condenser? See photo attached of my unit when damaged.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg photo car.jpg (177.5 KB, 23 views)
pdig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Jul 8th, 2020, 15:17   #7
C30inFrance
Junior Member
 

Last Online: Jul 16th, 2023 15:20
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Limoges
Default

Just to bring to an end, I had it recharged and all is ok. Well, ok-ish. Plus side is that it refilled without error or requiring any repairs or whatever. The garage that refilled it seemed to think that every 2 years was nothing to be alarmed about.

But I'd swear it's not as cold as it once was. That can only be down to the stuff used to refill it surely?
C30inFrance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Jul 9th, 2020, 11:56   #8
domhart10
Volvo S40
 
domhart10's Avatar
 

Last Online: Yesterday 00:18
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Chichester
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by C30inFrance View Post
Just to bring to an end, I had it recharged and all is ok. Well, ok-ish. Plus side is that it refilled without error or requiring any repairs or whatever. The garage that refilled it seemed to think that every 2 years was nothing to be alarmed about.

But I'd swear it's not as cold as it once was. That can only be down to the stuff used to refill it surely?
A common issue on these are the condensers as well, you might have a small leak there, just incase it goes down again.
__________________
-----------------------------------------
Current: 2009 Volvo S40 T5
Progress Thread: https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=271945

Previous Volvo: 2008 S40 SE Lux R Design 2.0D
domhart10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Jul 9th, 2020, 14:32   #9
Clan
Experienced Member
 
Clan's Avatar
 

Last Online: Today 01:00
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: L/H side
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by C30inFrance View Post
Just to bring to an end, I had it recharged and all is ok. Well, ok-ish. Plus side is that it refilled without error or requiring any repairs or whatever. The garage that refilled it seemed to think that every 2 years was nothing to be alarmed about.

But I'd swear it's not as cold as it once was. That can only be down to the stuff used to refill it surely?
It is NOT normal to have to fill the system every 2 years .... it is a completely sealed system and by law cannot leak more than a tiny amount each year .
Most volvo systems never need attention for 10 or 20 years . the garages duty is to take the gas out and see how it compares to the volume it should be , if less they are obliged by law to do a Nitrogen PRESSURE test NOT a vacuum test which is built into most old AC test machines . The law changed about 8 years ago .

It is most likely your condenser leaking , or blocked up with leaves , Condensers can fail even after 4 or 5 years ...due to the flying debris on the roads.
__________________
My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience .
Clan is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Clan For This Useful Post:
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:42.


Powered by vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.