Volvo AWD 850 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 9/2004 850 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A/C only when fan at max 850 1994

Pushing 100F here in Louisiana. When this hot A/C compressor clutch will only stay engaged if I set blower to max (#4 position). Freon good, I check often. Fan works fine in all positions. Have already bypassed temp cutout sensor/switch coming from rear of compressor.

On cool mornings clutch stays engaged at slower blower speeds. But when hot A/C works for about five minutes, then disengages. Turn a/c switch off...wait five minutes...will engage again for a few minutes...then quit again.

With blower at max...a/c works indefinitely expect with heavy acceleration.

Seem to recall other posts that suggested this is classic symptom of failing compressor clutch. T/F?

If compressor/clutch need work and/or replacement, is this really a reasonable job for reasonably proficient DIY guy. Having to remove belts, power steering pump etc seems to suggest something for the pros.

Thanks for all assistance

chuck








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A/C only when fan at max 850 1994

This is where the relay I installed in my car comes in. I installed it on the wire that goes to the compressor. The hardest part of the job is getting a new crimp connector on the wire that goes back to the compressor. I remove the temp sensor from the circuit(these are a problem anyway). Take the power line and cut it off just before the temp sensor and wire it to the coil side of the relay. The other leg of the coil side goes to ground. The load side goes to the battery (don't forget an inline fuse) and to the compressor (this is the only hard spot in the job. This gives more power(more voltage)to the clutch. If you can get another season or two out of the clutch, great.

--
Howard Berman 95 850 wagon 155K 95 850 Sedan 140K, 94 850 Sedan Turbo 140K, 68 1800S 80K(My Toy)








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

mine works longest on fan 1 850 1994

funny thing, these old compressors. I really need to fix my air gap, but . . . I have the perfect amt of refrigerant in mine. B/C the pressure tends to stay a little lower w/ fan speed of 1, the low pressure switch cycles the a/c off much more often (normal function). My theory is that such "resting" keeps mine a bit cooler/less hot and allows it to run 90% of the time.
--
Two 1995 854 GLT's (w/ manual transmissions)








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A/C only when fan at max 850 1994

If it's happening when in the auto mode try cleaning out the temp sensors behind the front door grad handles. Remove the small plastic cap with the hole in it behind the handle and CAREFULLY blow/vacuum out any dust inside the opening. Dust connects on the thermistor and can cause temp sense problems.








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A/C only when fan at max 850 1994

If it's happening when in the auto mode try cleaning out the temp sensors behind the front door grad handles. Remove the small plastic cap with the hole in it behind the handle and CAREFULLY blow/vacuum out any dust inside the opening. Dust connects on the thermistor and can cause temp sense problems.








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A/C only when fan at max 850 1994

I'm just curious - how do I check my freon?








  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A/C only when fan at max 850 1994

What pressure are you seeing on the low side line when the compressor is running? Should be somewhere between 30-35 psi. If you've got it over-charged the compressor will kick off. Is it an Auto ECC controlled system or a manual controlled system? Are you able to pull any malfunction codes off the B-1 socket?







Mike







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.