What do I have to remove in order to gain access to the Evaporator Temperature sensor?
For an '01 S80.
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Buy vaporizers

 

Just the lower dash panel on the drivers side. Once the cover is off look under the dash and to the right. You will see some linkage and the heater core.Then towards the firewall from the linkage you should see a plug in the box. It is the sensor it pulls straight out.

 

What is the purpose of this sensor? What does it monitor? Do you have an error code popping up?

 

Thanks Tech. I was coming at it from the wrong side.

My mechanic explained that the Evap Temp Sensor tells the computer when the air is too cold and dissengages the compressor clutch. I presume this is to prevent icing. He told me the sensor is reading 15 to 20 degs too cold.
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Vaporite solo

 

Yes that is what it does.
Older cars have low pressure switches in the hard pipes. The newer cars use the evap temp sensor instead of a low pressure switch.

 

An interesting discovery with the temp sensor... I picked up a new one from the dealer ($40) and I did an intercomparison between it and my old sensor. I ohm'd them both out at 100? and at 35?F, and guess what - they both indicated about the same value. The old sensor is not indicating too low as the mechanic suggested. So I stuck a thermal couple into the evaporator and my A/C is cooling to around 43?! Wow! So here's what I suspect: the computer's lower limit is somewhere around the low 40's. If the air blows too cold then the computer shuts off the compressor so things don't freeze over. I want to change this lower limit. I live in Chandler, AZ where you don't have to worry too often about condensation. I want access to volvo software to change the limit. Is there someone on the forum in the Phoenix area that has volvo software? Maybe one of you know of someone on one of the other forums?

Thanks.
PieceKeeper
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GLASS PIPE PICTURES

 

Dear Tech,
Car V70 build 2001, 2.4 non turbo
I'm running in the same problem, my evaporator ice up, the R134a level is okay did a full refill one week ago hoping to get rid of the ice clogging.
However it did not work out that way, R134a pressures are fine, way within limits.
My airflow out of the vents stops after 10min running the AC, fan works fine but flow gradually stops. Switching off the AC restore the airflow after few minutes.
So the Ac workshop presume that the de-icing circuit is not functional or defect.
Reading your post it looks like the evap temperature sensor maybe defective.
You are referring "Just the lower dash panel on the drivers side" this is not fully clear to me. Could you be more specific about the panel and the removal of that.
Can the sensor behaviour been checked trough the OBD???
Some help would be very much appreciated. Like to have the AC up and running before our holiday starts...

Many thanks in advance,

Frans
The Netherlands...

 

Ahhh it's so nice to come across this thread. I took my 2001 V70 in for an A/C recharge and was provided a large quote of replacements which, among other things, includes replacement of the evap temp sensor. I think I'll have them sell me the part ($35.24) and I'll install it myself ($73.60 labor).

Thnaks guys!