Volvo AWD 850 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 1/2004 850 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

A/C and heat question. (Help!) 850 1997

Recently, I bought a 1997 850 T5 with 93k miles, and it's been great. Except for the ABS ECU, which seems to be going (but that's for another time!). However, I was driving along, and then with both controls down to their lowest setting, and the AC on, smoke/steam/vapor began to flow out of my vents! I'm pretty confused to why this would happen. Either way, the smoke was odorless, and was white.

This happened twice yesterday. Usually it happens when I turn the A/C off, and back on again in a few minutes.

Thinking about this, I came to the following conclusion(s) of what it could be:

1. Heater Matrix. I hear that coolent leaks will cause something like this. However, this happened when I had the A/C on, and it on it's lowest setting. I will continue to monitor my coolent for leaks. I don't believe there has been though, and my temps have been stable.

2. Evaporator. Somehow that doesn't make sense, because I thought that it would just not have cold air come out of the vents. It does cycle a lot, I think. I'm going to take it in for a recharge before I leave for school.

3. Pollen Filter. It's really dirty and needs a clean. I'm going to try this first.

Also, after doing a couple tests on when this happened, the Climate Control Unit falted. However, it was a 20 second blink type fault, and from what I looked up, this could be minor. It is quite coincentdental. I would appreciate any help on this; I'm getting nervous about the reliability of the car!








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

    Connecticut Yankee sees fog 850 1997

    New Englanders not used to new fangled things like A/C and have to learn that modern devices are not evil nor expensive to maintain. The "fog" you see is because you turned the "climate control" knob to 60 degrees. Save your self some work and leave it at 72/74, the system will take care of you. The car will not cool down faster when you turn down the control, nor will it heat up faster when you turn the temperature up. If you want cold fast, turn off the recycled air switch to the left of the A/C switch.
    The "fog" indicates the R134a in your system is in good shape and doesn't need to be boosted. Yes, it does cycle a lot, but that is supposed to save on gas.

    Happy motoring and stop worrying, you have a good car.

    Klaus
    --
    95 854T, 88 780, 88 245








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

    A/C and heat question. (Help!) 850 1997

    I think your AC is working properly.
    Here is how I would it explain the phenomenon: When you have humid air in your car's interior (your AC has been off), and you first turn on your AC, that very cold AC air mixes with the humid interior air, causing the moisture to condense as fog. That's the white stuff you see. After you have run the AC for a while, the air inside your car is now cooler and drier, and no more fog will form.
    The exact same thing happened with my '97 850 last night. I too live in Connecticut, and it was mega-humid here yesterday, especially after it had just rained. I guess the test would be to try it again in drier conditions and see if the fogging still happens.
    I think you may be suffering from "oh God I bought an old Volvo, what is going to break next?" paranoia. It is a side effect of frequenting this board (which I love) ;-)








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      A/C and heat question. (Help!) 850 1997

      I agree with the fog/humidity analysis. If coolant were being leaked into the system you would smell a very sweet smell and it would occur all the time.

      As for the ABS issue, please e-mail off line and I might be able to help you out.

      www.ogbrownv@mchsi.com

      Oliver

      96 960 GLT
      86 245 DL
      66 1800S
      64 122S








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        A/C and heat question. (Help!) 850 1997

        I have had the same problem with the mist coming out of the vents. The system was low on freon. When more freon was put in, the problem went away.








        •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

          A/C and heat question. (Help!) 850 1997

          Thanks guys! I learned today to put the airmix down a bit, and well to put up the temp. :)

          However, I still have blinking lights on my climate control. Any ideas?







<< < > >>



©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.