Ok, here's the solution to the S70 A/C problem -- you know the one: where you start the car, and the A/C fan comes on for 30 seconds and then cuts off? My dealer's service dept. knew exactly what it was: thermostat problem. Just tell your repair place to replace the thermostat, and it's fixed. It's a near recall problem (along with the ABS module problem) well-known to Volvo, but it's definitely fixable, so don't let anyone tell you they don't know about it!

I don't know if this is on a recall level, I doubt it, but I had the same thing happen. Mine was a little different. I started the car up one morning and it would just blow warm air and nothing else. I had the climate set to 64, but just warm. Basicly the thermostat had died and my climate control didn't know what tempature it was. The dealer found the problem in about 15min and about 1 hour later I was done. No problem since.

So I'm one person that's had the thermostat replaced. I was at about 40k when that happened.

JH

Well, I'm back replying to my own post from the begining of the year. This is for all those searching the archives for AC problems. My problems didn't stop with the thermostat, and I'm getting a little annoyed. @ 60k my AC starts to fade after about 15min of use and starts blowing warm moist air after that. The dealer states it's probally just a sensor. Funny thing is they didn't check any of the freon levels during the 60k check-up nor my battery's charge as it died shortly before this... anyway.
They recharge the AC system. Its now 3 weeks later @ 62k and the problem is back again. I've read that it could be the sensor on the compressor and it should be bypassed, it could be an evaporator problem. The key will be is this covered under warranty since I've had the problem for the past 4 months, when I was still well under the warranty umbrella.

Good luck to all, I'll post a solution when I find one.

JH

Back yet again, and it only get's worse. Dealer says the AC compressor is dead, burnt coils... and on top of that my engine has that lovely o-ring issue that allows the piston slapping sound to happen. All, this can cost YOU $1500 on a 3 year old car. Just lovely. Even though the AC was a problem back at 45k, they will not cover it under the warranty.

Cheers,

JH

Sorry but being a Volvo dealer master tech myself, I've never heard of that one. A T-stat can't cause that either.

Ron,

I need your help as a Master Tech. My 2000 SE's AC works fine for about 30 minutes, then gets a low, gutteral whine which seems to cut air flow drastically. Although the problem is clearly evident, I get the "we can't duplicate it" from my dealer. Are you aware of this, and if so, how can I guide my dealer to fix it under warranty.

Thanks for your help.