850 Aircon doesn't come on

[TimC]

That's bizarre!

I've had the car seviced and checked by Lookers Volvo at Witham, who have confirmed that the problem is the ac control panel itself. To replace it, they wanted £149.50 plus VAT, plus fitting. However, the panel (part 3522673) actually costs £82 plus VAT, according to Nordic, and Lookers give 10% discount on parts (but not labour) to VOC members, so I should be able to sort it myself for less than £100. I was told by Nordic that 'it might be the PCB', but that is purely a lighting device and has nothing to do with the ac itself - as I've now discovered after buying said PCB!

We're getting closer...

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2002 V70 T5
1996 850 2.5 10 valve

[TimC]

Correction to that part number: it's 6849318. The price is correct.

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2002 V70 T5
1996 850 2.5 10 valve

[JOE 90]

Tim,

let me know as and when you have it all working...as my TDi has exactly the same problem....blue light on but no-one at home!

Cheers,

[TimC]

The problem is now cured! The panel I referred to above has sorted the problem and took only 5 minutes to fit.

Once I'd fitted the new one, I took the old panel apart. It's a fairly simple device, and includes the switches for the AC, recirculation, and fan. There is a small PCB inside the box housing the ac and recirc switches, and I think it's here where the problem lies: I suspect one or two of the soldered joints have deteriorated. If you're any good with an iron, it may be worth trying to redo some of these joints before you splash out on a new panel. Beware! When you take the switch box apart, there are 4 little springs just waiting to escape...