This problem began when we heard a squealing noise and smelled burning rubber upon starting the car...with the AC being left permanently ON, since we live in Florida and my wife (primary driver) never shuts it off. A couple of weeks later it was "honey my air conditioner isn't working." Looked under the hood and found the broken compressor belt lying on top of a cross-member next to the compressor. Took car to repair shop. Shop guy said "your compressor clutch failed and we'll need to replace the entire compressor. Some people try to replace just the clutch but the tolerances are too hard to get right." $1700.

I paid $1700 for my first 240 (another story) and did most of the work on that car for 14 years. No way am I paying this guy $1700 to replace the AC compressor.

I think I can get to this area by lifting the car and removing the splash guard/skid plate.

Has anyone done an AC compressor clutch replacement on a P3 platform Volvo?

Does the belt look like it broke due to the compressor pulley locking up? I’m having trouble picturing how a failed clutch causes a broken belt. It sort of sounds like the compressor itself may have locked up. Does the pulley turn freely when the A/C is turned off? When you turn the A/C on, does it engage the clutch such that you can turn the pulley and compressor together?
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Current rides: 2005 Volvo S80 2.5T, 2003 Volvo V70 2.4NA, 1973 Volvo 1800ES (getting ever closer to road worthiness)

Did I miss something? The belt broke after 2 weeks of making noise? The same belt that drives the alternator, PS, and PB.

The compressor is toast, you need a new one.

If you don't like the estimate, call around. There are a lot of Mom&Pop AC shops in FL.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new