Air Con - How to diagnose?

Chris Wickers · Jul 13th, 2015, 21:50

Air con ran fine last year.

Start of this year - nothing so got it re-gassed.

Collected it and it worked fine.

Two days later - nothing.

When switching between a/c and no a/c there is no change in engine note.

Where to start?

I know the push button control is notorious for dry joints - however if it is something else I would rather not take the dash apart as when I take it apart something normally goes ping, or snap, and whereas this would normally mean expense to replace said 'pinged' or 'snapped' item on a 480 it is different as said parts are no longer available - thanks whoever decided to discontinue all the parts! (I already have the joys of trying to modify a bit for my cruise control which has snapped, pinged, and disappeared...........)

All advice gratefully received.

Kind regards

Chris

Ian Fife · Jul 14th, 2015, 08:18

Chris, I'm no expert here, but I would check if all of your gas is still present and correct! (especially if that could be done by the garage that did the fill and they could check this for free?). If you have a leak of the coolant this could explain the symptoms you describe perhaps?

IanF.

Anadinolin · Jul 14th, 2015, 17:32

They should have checked the system is holding its pressure with nitrogen gas first. Did they do this? My next thoughts would be Aircon pump needs looking at.

On my old 480 there was a canister with a button on it, press it and you should hear gas escaping I think it's a valve where they refill the Aircon.

Chris Wickers · Jul 17th, 2015, 16:40

Took it back to Mr Clutch - didn't think service like this still existed.

They put it immediately on the machine, rechecked it and then re-gassed it.

Still OK at the moment.

However **** heater and air con control module started playing up so dash out again, heater control out and as expected failed solder joints inside.

So all back and still working..............

Just got to put the dash surround back.

Kind regards

Chris

Chris Wickers · Jul 18th, 2015, 22:52

So suspecting a leak? Although pressure tested OK.

Just now looking for an a/c specialist in Essex.

Kind regards

Chris

Derek UK · Jul 18th, 2015, 23:11

As part of the testing for suspected leaks they should use a "sniffer" around all of the joints. Should be done if they put a new condenser in for example.

Chris Wickers · Jul 19th, 2015, 14:00

Suspect it needs a bit more of a diagnosis - so now looking for a specialist!

I am also guessing perhaps they did not check it for leaks properly?

Kind regards

Chris

Jul 13th, 2015, 21:50	#1
Chris Wickers Director Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 08:00 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chelmsford	Air Con - How to diagnose? Air con ran fine last year. Start of this year - nothing so got it re-gassed. Collected it and it worked fine. Two days later - nothing. When switching between a/c and no a/c there is no change in engine note. Where to start? I know the push button control is notorious for dry joints - however if it is something else I would rather not take the dash apart as when I take it apart something normally goes ping, or snap, and whereas this would normally mean expense to replace said 'pinged' or 'snapped' item on a 480 it is different as said parts are no longer available - thanks whoever decided to discontinue all the parts! (I already have the joys of trying to modify a bit for my cruise control which has snapped, pinged, and disappeared...........) All advice gratefully received. Kind regards Chris __________________ *To get a Forum sticker please see the thread in 'General Volvo and Motoring Discussions'*

Jul 14th, 2015, 17:32	#3
Anadinolin VOC Member Last Online: Jun 20th, 2022 14:32 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Upminster View Photos By: Anadinolin	They should have checked the system is holding its pressure with nitrogen gas first. Did they do this? My next thoughts would be Aircon pump needs looking at. On my old 480 there was a canister with a button on it, press it and you should hear gas escaping I think it's a valve where they refill the Aircon. __________________ what good music deserves is full deep bass to give it warmth. the stock volvo sub works....just at high volumes Drum n Bass and dubstep

Jul 18th, 2015, 22:52	#5
Chris Wickers Director Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 08:00 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chelmsford	Air con failed again So suspecting a leak? Although pressure tested OK. Just now looking for an a/c specialist in Essex. Kind regards Chris __________________ *To get a Forum sticker please see the thread in 'General Volvo and Motoring Discussions'*

Jul 19th, 2015, 14:00	#7
Chris Wickers Director Last Online: Apr 10th, 2024 08:00 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chelmsford	Air Con Suspect it needs a bit more of a diagnosis - so now looking for a specialist! I am also guessing perhaps they did not check it for leaks properly? Kind regards Chris __________________ *To get a Forum sticker please see the thread in 'General Volvo and Motoring Discussions'*

Jul 14th, 2015, 08:18	#2
Ian Fife Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:15 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Inverkeithing	Chris, I'm no expert here, but I would check if all of your gas is still present and correct! (especially if that could be done by the garage that did the fill and they could check this for free?). If you have a leak of the coolant this could explain the symptoms you describe perhaps? IanF.

Jul 18th, 2015, 23:11	#6
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 23:46 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	As part of the testing for suspected leaks they should use a "sniffer" around all of the joints. Should be done if they put a new condenser in for example.

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