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S80 '06-'16 / V70 & XC70 '07-'16 General Forum for the P3-platform S80 and 70-series models |
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AC IssueViews : 572 Replies : 8Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Apr 23rd, 2019, 22:30 | #1 |
New Member
Last Online: Jun 30th, 2019 09:44
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Workington
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AC Issue
Good evening,
I've been a member of the owners forums for a long time. Saying that, I haven't logged in for a long time. I could really use some assistance if possible? The day before last my AC started blowing warm air. Initially I thought it would probably need its refrigerant topped-up as I can't remember the last time it was done. To my surprise, when a vacuum test was done on the system the results showed there were no leaks with the refrigerant level at 801g out of 820g apparently? I appreciate you can't really tell much by looking at it but the condenser appears to be in reasonable condition (with the odd fly trapped in the fins) so i thought I'd check the fuse for the compressor. While it hadn't blown, the blades were fairly dirty so I replaced it (position 32, 15a in the engine bay fuse box, next to the water bottle filler) You can hear the compressor clicking when you turn the AC on and when I set the temp to 'LO' I get the occasional blast of cool air, but it doesn't last for long. Can anyone confirm if it sounds although the compressor is goosed? or are there further checks I can do to diagnose the fault myself before having to fork out between £400 and £600 for a new compressor? Thanks in advance. |
Apr 26th, 2019, 15:38 | #2 |
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Last Online: Jun 30th, 2019 09:44
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Location: Workington
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Well, having scratched my head and spoken to the local dealership I think I found the cause of the problem. I started thinking that as it's AC there must be a temp sensor in the cabin to tell the system how hot or cold it is. I confirmed this with Volvo and was told it'd be part of the control module which, if damaged would be really expensive to replace (£80 off eBay for a used but good)
While teaching myself how to dismantle the console I realised that my winter windscreen anti ice sheet was still in the little pocket behind the control module......it was blocking a vent! I'll now assume that vent covers the temp sensor.....Item removed and heypresto....ice cold air and pipes! Assumed the worst and thankfully was pleasantly surprised at an easy fix for a change. |
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Apr 26th, 2019, 20:03 | #3 | |
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Last Online: Feb 11th, 2023 21:32
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Location: Blyth, Northumberland
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Jun 29th, 2019, 13:21 | #4 |
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Last Online: Jun 30th, 2019 09:44
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Workington
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An update. The AC started misbehaving again so I stripped the centre console and had a look at the control module. Funny old thing, the temp sensor is not built in like the dealership originally advised when they told me it would be expensive to fix (and they had the parts diagrams). Instead, it appears that somewhere there is a temp sensor that feeds back to the control module by means of fibreoptic? So, another call to the dealership and low and behold a sensor is available for £24+£2 postage. The control module might still be damaged but I'm all about simple to complex in seeking a solution. If dealerships thought that way they may promote customer confidence instead of going straight to the most expensive possible issue!
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Jun 29th, 2019, 13:56 | #5 |
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Last Online: Today 13:59
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Orpington
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Be aware that there is also an external sensor in the passenger door mirror unit. Mine actually displayed 60 degrees outside with frost on the screen! Clashes with the internal sensor and throws everything out!
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Jun 29th, 2019, 16:21 | #6 |
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Last Online: Jun 30th, 2019 09:44
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Location: Workington
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Thanks for the heads up. If that is faulty would the reading on the dash reflect this or would I need Vida to see it's reading?
Last edited by Turkish68; Jun 29th, 2019 at 16:24. |
Jun 30th, 2019, 01:56 | #7 |
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Last Online: Jul 4th, 2023 13:54
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Location: oxford
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The reading on the dash will reflect it.
It's a dome shaped sensor pointing out the bottom of the passenger mirror, cheap to replace but a bit fiddly. |
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Jun 30th, 2019, 08:18 | #8 |
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Last Online: Jun 30th, 2019 09:44
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Location: Workington
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Thanks for the information yesterday. I checked the temp sensor in the mirror and it was working. I thought I'd be missing something obvious so it went back out and had another look. The interior sensor was so obvious this time . I was clearly over thinking the simple things when I found the delicate looking orange cable that has no sharp bends in it, that's plugged into the ECC module. I pulled the console apart again and after a couple of mins had the sensor in my hand. A quick check after cleaning years of dust off the fan and sensor wire at the cost of 1 cotton bud, reassembled.....again, and boom, ice cold air and the return of that little puddle under the car after the system has been running.
New lessons learned and something else I now know how to dismantle! Last edited by Turkish68; Jun 30th, 2019 at 08:22. |
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Jun 30th, 2019, 17:30 | #9 |
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Last Online: Today 13:59
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Location: Orpington
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It's a Volvo!
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