S40 (New) AC : Air Con not Cold?

[VenomS40]

Just noticed today in the hot heat that the air con didnt seem as cold as it has been? I would say it was lukewarm. After running it for a few mins I could feel that the passenger side was blowing ice cold air and the drivers side was lukewarm? I have the zonal climate control set to the same both sides.

I dont have any history on the AC system of when it was regassed or anything like that? Someone told me I may have ran it while the window was open? It has gotten a little better but still feel one is colder than the other and not as cold as it should be?

[Gel]

Weaknass in air con is the Ford condenser, which VOLVO use no more;
look for other posts here with "condensor" in subject line.
My lease coy originally tried to fix (though under warranty) by having regassed at Halfords; made little difference.
Getting condenser changed by Volvo was the cure; loverly & cool again.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by VenomS40

Just noticed today in the hot heat that the air con didnt seem as cold as it has been? I would say it was lukewarm. After running it for a few mins I could feel that the passenger side was blowing ice cold air and the drivers side was lukewarm? I have the zonal climate control set to the same both sides.

I dont have any history on the AC system of when it was regassed or anything like that? Someone told me I may have ran it while the window was open? It has gotten a little better but still feel one is colder than the other and not as cold as it should be?

If one side was " ice cold" then it is unlikely to be an AC cooling problem but a heater distribution problem , set temp controls to LO and distribution to face level ( second button down ), recirculation on and check with a thermometer at each of the 4 face vents . That should help you decide what is going on .. Today at around 16 C expect air of 5 - 8 C coming out all 4 vents ..

[copperknob]

if passenger side blowing hot and os blowing cold or vice versa then damper motors need recalibrating worst senario ccm upgrade ,

[VenomS40]

Originally Posted by Clan

If one side was " ice cold" then it is unlikely to be an AC cooling problem but a heater distribution problem , set temp controls to LO and distribution to face level ( second button down ), recirculation on and check with a thermometer at each of the 4 face vents . That should help you decide what is going on .. Today at around 16 C expect air of 5 - 8 C coming out all 4 vents ..

Which one is the recirculation button?

Originally Posted by copperknob

if passenger side blowing hot and os blowing cold or vice versa then damper motors need recalibrating worst senario ccm upgrade ,

How do I do that please?

[jaygee]

Originally Posted by VenomS40

Which one is the recirculation button?

That is the one that has a picture of the car with an arrow going through it and also a "A" (automatic - recirculation) "M" (Manually on - Recirculating air in that is in the system and not fresh air from outside) When the M is lit then it is recirculating the air in the system, when this is off or no light on the A or M then it is pulling in air from the outside.

Hope that makes sense.

Originally Posted by VenomS40

How do I do that please?

To get an upgrade, I don't truly know but would imagine either a main dealer or a Volvo specialist?

[SonyVaio]

Originally Posted by copperknob

if passenger side blowing hot and os blowing cold or vice versa then damper motors need recalibrating worst senario ccm upgrade ,

Unless one of the motors has gone?? They cost about £50 each and then can take upto 10hrs to fit as dash needs to be completely stripped out to fit. There is a way of cutting through from the side and replacing the motor (which Volvo won't tell you) and it saves the dash strip down.

As copperknob said you can get a software update for the aircon that callibrates the motors.

[VenomS40]

Originally Posted by jaygee

That is the one that has a picture of the car with an arrow going through it and also a "A" (automatic - recirculation) "M" (Manually on - Recirculating air in that is in the system and not fresh air from outside) When the M is lit then it is recirculating the air in the system, when this is off or no light on the A or M then it is pulling in air from the outside.

Hope that makes sense.

Kind of, So what dose the 'A' do? Mine stays on 'A' all the time.

Originally Posted by SonyVaio

Unless one of the motors has gone?? They cost about £50 each and then can take upto 10hrs to fit as dash needs to be completely stripped out to fit. There is a way of cutting through from the side and replacing the motor (which Volvo won't tell you) and it saves the dash strip down.

As copperknob said you can get a software update for the aircon that callibrates the motors.

Would the main dealer not inform me of software updates? Or do they not perform updates when in for a service?

[SonyVaio]

I doubt the aircon / heater motors are one of the normal modules that are part of the updates in the 'service promise' - but I don't know.

It would be worth an ask - most dealers don't even tell you what was updated anyway.

[jaygee]

Originally Posted by VenomS40

Kind of, So what dose the 'A' do? Mine stays on 'A' all the time.

The A is an automatic function. I don't actually know how the automatic function works though. Maybe someone else on here has a clue?

Originally Posted by VenomS40

Would the main dealer not inform me of software updates? Or do they not perform updates when in for a service?

I don't think that is the case if there is a software update. I go on the adage that if it isn't broken don't fix it, so until it breaks they won't look at fixing it.