6 replies to this topic

[Doityourselfer]

Hello folks, I've purchased a '96 850.
I've taken it on like 20 drives since purchase.

as per the previous owner the ac worked for the first 10 mins after starting the car.

my findings is that it usually does not work at all, however it did blow ice cold air yesterday for like ten mins after a morning startup. this was the first time I ever got that "10 min of cold air" that the previous owner talked about.
so I know the system is charged, it is not low on coolant.

where would the likely culprit be?

[jnderr]

Sounds like the ac compressor clutch gap. There are a few ways to fix it. The correct way is to remove the ac compressor clutch and remove or file down the shims behind the clutch to get the gap within spec. Some have had luck using bread tags to narrow the gap. I did this and it got me through the summer.

[andyb5]

Yup, AC compressor clutch is failing. You can try to shim your existing one, or install a new/used one. I bought a used one from Erie Vovo (comes with a lifetime warranty) for a couple hundred bucks over 3 years ago and it still blows ice cold, no issues so far.

[jnderr]

When my went, I ghetto shimmed it with bread tags the first year. Had the clutch shimmed properly the next year and that lasted a summer. The next year it was just toast and had the compressor replaced.

[Doityourselfer]

I found the link you guys are referring to at matthews volvo site.
there are pics of this bread shim fix.
I'm wondering if I should cut little spacers out of metal. how well do those plastic bread bag shims hold up?

[trigtm]

What you can do is to measure the gap first. Most people here used bread tag shims which are too thick IMHO.

I used some aluminum that was meant for a gutter end cap and hammered it a bit thinner which game my clutch the correct gap and then installed with metal epoxy. 2 years going strong. Since the AC compressor isn't cheap, I wasn't messing around (nor so I think that removing the shims from the backside is the only 'proper' fix.

[Ladder3me]

New to site, thanks in advance for any input..

Just purchased a 97 850 with a/c issues... After doing some troubleshooting this is what i have found.
The system takes a 134 charge only if i unplug the high pressure sensor behind the front pass headlight. If the sensor is unplugged the ac is cold and clutch and compressor is working, plug it back in and it kicks it off.. Now i know its sensing something it does not like but i dont care i need it to work without having to replace a 100 sensor. How do i rewire it to quit shutting down the compressor.
Secondly if i just leave it unplugged is there any danger to that...the fan still kicks on without it plugged in.
Thirdly illustrations, pdf drawings, pictures and detailed instructions would be a tremendous help because i cant find a clear direction on this subject anywhere. Also i need to know with pics exactly how to rewire the thermal switch on the compressor ect...
Thanks...