V50 AC : V50 Climate problem

[Sceleton]

Hi

Strange things happen overnight...
Climate blows only cold air from drivers side. Passenger side is all good, reacts to temperature changing and all....but not drivers side. No matter what temperature or function I choose, only cold air is blowing.

I've read that sometimes climate need to be calibrated?! How to do that??
Or where to start look solution?

Car Volvo V50, 2,4 D5, 132kw, AT

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by Sceleton

Hi

Strange things happen overnight...
Climate blows only cold air from drivers side. Passenger side is all good, reacts to temperature changing and all....but not drivers side. No matter what temperature or function I choose, only cold air is blowing.

I've read that sometimes climate need to be calibrated?! How to do that??
Or where to start look solution?

Car Volvo V50, 2,4 D5, 132kw, AT

Its possible the motor controlling the flaps for tunnel circulation is stuck. Its also possible its broken or seized, when you change the temp for only L or R side, do you hear any movement in central console or any reaction at all?
Calibration is done from VIDA , not sure if you can do it by button combination like on prev gen of S40.

[RichT4]

Originally Posted by LizardOfBodom

Its possible the motor controlling the flaps for tunnel circulation is stuck. Its also possible its broken or seized, when you change the temp for only L or R side, do you hear any movement in central console or any reaction at all?
Calibration is done from VIDA , not sure if you can do it by button combination like on prev gen of S40.

Do they not have separate heater matrix units then?

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by RichT4

Do they not have separate heater matrix units then?

We have only 1 heater core, if thats what you are asking about, behind waterfall, whether its divided or not idk. I *think* I remember reading about a flap that controls the distribution between 2 sides but maybe its too vague description - but I am not sure what sorcery is made in the background to allow various temperatures.

From experience (I just reminded myself) I know that air in the system can cause various temperature issue (happened to me when I had too little coolant) but behaviour was different as mine blew hot from one side but reacted to temp change (min-max) and went back ok.

[Welton]

The 'dirty fix' to try first is to carefully take both sides down to 'Lo' and then back up to 'Hi' and back to your desired temp, sometimes this forces things to settle down again.

Personally I don't think car climate systems like having too much of a temperature 'request' between left and right, on our Citroen its recommended that no more than 3 degs C difference is called for.

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by Welton

The 'dirty fix' to try first is to carefully take both sides down to 'Lo' and then back up to 'Hi' and back to your desired temp, sometimes this forces things to settle down again.

Personally I don't think car climate systems like having too much of a temperature 'request' between left and right, on our Citroen its recommended that no more than 3 degs C difference is called for.

Interesting, is that a general thing or citroen specific? I noticed my car can handle LOW on one side and HI on another and was actually surprised it was even possible to set on display, I didnt hing such variances are possible.
U reckon its not good for heater core or what?

[Sceleton]

Originally Posted by Welton

The 'dirty fix' to try first is to carefully take both sides down to 'Lo' and then back up to 'Hi' and back to your desired temp, sometimes this forces things to settle down again.

Personally I don't think car climate systems like having too much of a temperature 'request' between left and right, on our Citroen its recommended that no more than 3 degs C difference is called for.

Yes, I was also pushing and turning different knobs and buttons...and it started to work again...so now for three days, it's working.
Let's see how long

[Welton]

It's like many things to do with heating and cooling, try selecting something 'reasonable' on the temperature controls rather than force the system to extremes, of course it will try to perform whatever you throw at it but it's preferable to be kind to the controls and actuators. (I've worked in the HVAC industry 30 years).

The 'heater' in our cars is always at full running temp, the incoming air passes through the pollen filter and then either mostly over the heater matrix or mostly over the evaporator for cooling using a sort of two-way gate to direct the airflow (or a combination of both when the cabin temp is satisfied). The various sensors use outside air, cabin temp, sunlight intensity, vehicle speed, windscreen wiper function (and even knows if the front windows are open) all to control fan speed and temperature.

It's a very clever system and very reliable in general. One thing that will let it down is lack of pollen filter changes, if dirt gets past this filter it will clog the various dampers and put strain on the actuator motors leading to temperature control issues.

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by Welton

...satisfied). The various sensors use outside air, cabin temp, sunlight intensity, vehicle speed, windscreen wiper function (and even knows if the front windows are open) all to control fan speed and temperature.
...

Oh yea, so I am not crazy noticing it changes the speed and vents when closing the windows on AUTO mode ? always suspected that but never actually spent much time investigating.
btw- heater core is always "hot" right? thats why the behind-waterfall area always works like a radiator heater, always being warm ?

[RichT4]

Originally Posted by LizardOfBodom

Oh yea, so I am not crazy noticing it changes the speed and vents when closing the windows on AUTO mode ? always suspected that but never actually spent much time investigating.
btw- heater core is always "hot" right? thats why the behind-waterfall area always works like a radiator heater, always being warm ?

Not noticed this tbh, the only thing I've noticed is that the temp on either side changes should you adjust the other one.