Air Con: 70: - S70 TDi - Compressor inoperative??

NI_Volvo_Nut · Apr 19th, 2011, 06:37

Since the engine swap I haven't had the air con regassed, wasn't a priorty tbh lol

Checking the car on Sunday, I switched the aircon on to see if the compressor was working, and as I suspected, it wasn't.....

Question is, is the compressor not working because the system knows there's no gas in it, or is there a fault with the car?

If it is a fault with the car, some fault finding tips please? Where do I look for voltage? Is there a fuse to check?

Luxobarge · Apr 19th, 2011, 08:33

There's a pressure switch on the aircon system, that disables the system if the gas pressure is too low and stops the compressor energising. If it came on with no gas it could damage it, so it's there to stop this.

IMHO you can't really diagnose the system further without gassing it. I have problems with mine, the gassing machine does a vacuum test before it fills it with gas, and this detected a leak, so we're fixing that before filling with gas.

Do the same - if the machine doesn't detect a leak, get them to continue and fill it with gas and see how it goes - chances are it'll work.

NI_Volvo_Nut · Apr 19th, 2011, 21:31

Thats what I was thinking myself, but I hate the thought of paying £40 and having to replace the pump, but I'm fairly sure it will work as pumps generally don't not work

Thanks for that

Luxobarge · Apr 19th, 2011, 22:03

I know what you're saying, but I don't think there's a lot of options really.

Well, there is one: if you can find the pressure switch (I can't remember where it is offhand, but it'll be fairly easy to find - post back if you can't find it and I'll look in my workshop manual) then take the connector off and short out the two wires in the connector briefly with the engine running. If the pump kicks in then my diagnosis is correct. Basically you're fooling the system into thinking that it's got pressure, but don't run it for long like this.

First aircon car I had was needed gassing, and like you I wasn't sure, so I did this and proved the compressor/pump was working. Took it to be re-gassed and sure enough there was a leak in the condensor! Worked fine after that was replaced though.

Same thing happened with my Saab 900.

Now the same thing with my V70.

I'm getting used to it now..... Lol.

NI_Volvo_Nut · Apr 20th, 2011, 06:53

Excellent, thanks dude, soon as I try it, I'll let you know

Apr 19th, 2011, 06:37	#1
NI_Volvo_Nut Volvologist Last Online: Dec 6th, 2023 11:13 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangor - Norn Iron View Photos By: NI_Volvo_Nut	S70 TDi - Compressor inoperative?? Since the engine swap I haven't had the air con regassed, wasn't a priorty tbh lol Checking the car on Sunday, I switched the aircon on to see if the compressor was working, and as I suspected, it wasn't..... Question is, is the compressor not working because the system knows there's no gas in it, or is there a fault with the car? If it is a fault with the car, some fault finding tips please? Where do I look for voltage? Is there a fuse to check? __________________ What's the matter with the car I'm driving? Can't you tell that it's out of style? Should I get a set of white wall tires? Are you gonna cruise the miracle mile?

Apr 19th, 2011, 08:33	#2
Luxobarge Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:16 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Horne (Nr. Horley)	There's a pressure switch on the aircon system, that disables the system if the gas pressure is too low and stops the compressor energising. If it came on with no gas it could damage it, so it's there to stop this. IMHO you can't really diagnose the system further without gassing it. I have problems with mine, the gassing machine does a vacuum test before it fills it with gas, and this detected a leak, so we're fixing that before filling with gas. Do the same - if the machine doesn't detect a leak, get them to continue and fill it with gas and see how it goes - chances are it'll work. __________________ Some people are like Slinkies, they serve no useful purpose but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.

Apr 19th, 2011, 21:31	#3
NI_Volvo_Nut Volvologist Last Online: Dec 6th, 2023 11:13 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangor - Norn Iron View Photos By: NI_Volvo_Nut	Thats what I was thinking myself, but I hate the thought of paying £40 and having to replace the pump, but I'm fairly sure it will work as pumps generally don't not work Thanks for that __________________ What's the matter with the car I'm driving? Can't you tell that it's out of style? Should I get a set of white wall tires? Are you gonna cruise the miracle mile?

Apr 19th, 2011, 22:03	#4
Luxobarge Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:16 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Horne (Nr. Horley)	I know what you're saying, but I don't think there's a lot of options really. Well, there is one: if you can find the pressure switch (I can't remember where it is offhand, but it'll be fairly easy to find - post back if you can't find it and I'll look in my workshop manual) then take the connector off and short out the two wires in the connector briefly with the engine running. If the pump kicks in then my diagnosis is correct. Basically you're fooling the system into thinking that it's got pressure, but don't run it for long like this. First aircon car I had was needed gassing, and like you I wasn't sure, so I did this and proved the compressor/pump was working. Took it to be re-gassed and sure enough there was a leak in the condensor! Worked fine after that was replaced though. Same thing happened with my Saab 900. Now the same thing with my V70. I'm getting used to it now..... Lol. __________________ Some people are like Slinkies, they serve no useful purpose but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.

Apr 20th, 2011, 06:53	#5
NI_Volvo_Nut Volvologist Last Online: Dec 6th, 2023 11:13 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangor - Norn Iron View Photos By: NI_Volvo_Nut	Excellent, thanks dude, soon as I try it, I'll let you know __________________ What's the matter with the car I'm driving? Can't you tell that it's out of style? Should I get a set of white wall tires? Are you gonna cruise the miracle mile?

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