I have a 1992 240 wagon -- 170,000 miles -- The A/C does not currently work -- I would like to have it fixed before the summer....any ideas on what I would be looking at for a price to convert the system to the new freon.

Is there things I should check on the car before sending it to the mechanic?

thank you!

Hello:

Your car has the more modern 700/900 style AC system. My best guess is that the system has leaked out most/all of the freon. A quick thing to check-- jumper the pressure switch on the receiver/dryer by removing it and using an unbent paper clip to bridge both sides of the switch. With the AC set to on (blue snowflake switch), the clutch should engage and the compressor should run. Don't do this for more than a few seconds-- the freon that is probably missing carries the oil that cools the compressor. If the compressor clutch does not engage, check to see whether there is 12V at the clutch wiring. If not, check fuses and the AC relay in the dash.

There is an excellent Volvo r134a conversion kit for your car (there is currently one on e-bay). Don't do a conversion without replacing the receiver/dryer and the expansion valve. There are many excellent posts on this topic in the archives. Do a search for AC conversion and Chris Herbst.

Good luck!
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Herb Goltz, London, Ontario, Canada '92 245 w/102K mi

FCP Groton gets $64.00 for the kit, which is less than the buy-it-now price on ebay.

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1991 245, 61k miles, looking for a 5 speed 92-93 245 cheap.