Wiggi

During the drive across North Wales to Holyhead we noticed the car was getting far too warm. Climate was in auto for 20 degrees however there was virtually no air flow through the vents, what air there was was very cold. Turning the fan to max made no difference to the flow but the fan speed did increase. Last resort was to try the rapid de-mist button but this crashed the whole system. After a fuel stop the system operated normally with gale force cold air flow however the above symptoms have reoccured. Any idea's

mikkistorey

My XC90 also does this. We are reduced to opening the windows!

I have tried changing between recycle air and external air, and although there is a change in the sound of the fan, no air gets through.

Has anyone seen the problem before and had it fixed?

Rockhopper

Not sure if this is a aircon issue, but if you want to check this is working, and as you're in Holmes Chapel I'd definitely recommend Simon James, a mobile aricon guy based in Bollington http://www.mobilecaraircon.co.uk/. He came out and sorted mine with full professional high vacuum for 20+mins to remove all moisture, a leak test, re-gas and low/high pressure test for £55.

Also note that the manual and other car data stats state 1kg of gas for a MY03-06 car (no rear aircon). This is WRONG as Simon and I found out after the 1st regas. It worked fine for a bit then kept cutting out - leaving it for a while it would then work again. This was due to gas getting under too high pressure and the HP sensor kicking off the compressor. Turns out the refill is 0.7kg (as stated on the yellow sticker near rads - should have checked this first). Another vacuum and regas and its now icey cold.

Wiggi

Thanks Rockhopper, had Simon out. He has diagnosed a fault with the evaporator temperature switch deep in the dash. This controls the compressor cycling. Has anyone had this replaced and is there an easy way other than 12 hours labour and complete dash removal by the stealership?

wimorrison

The aircon on the XC90 has the same controls as the V70 and I had a similar issue last year. It transpired it was the thermocouple that monitors the air temp pulled from the cabin. This is located immediately behind the little grill above the drivers temperature setting and looks like a loose wire.

Now thw bad news - this cannot be replaced on its own, but LB Volvo sold me a complete 2nd hand Climate control unit for £65 (Volvo Price £700 + fitting). It takes 10 mins to fit and it cured my issues - and Volvo do not have to do software load either (just disconnect battery before replacing the unit)

http://www.thomsonlocal.com/LB-Volvo...mpanyinfo.html

To test if this is at fault, blow some COLD air into the grill that I mention witrh the car set at 20 ish. The air coming from the vents shoudl warm up, then blow hot air at the grill - guess what, cold air should come out

May not be your issue, but this may help some others

Iain

Wiggi

Well the air con is still not working properly, I have been told that the condenser sensor may have failed but requires the dash out to fix. Are there any work arounds and would this lead to the air con. pump to run continuosly? Also should Volvo diagnostics be able to identify the problem accurately? Any advice gratefully recieved.