Hi all...'97 850 here, when a A/C compressor fails and my local Volvo Speciality repair shop orders and installs a new one, does the local Volvo dealer send a brand-new factory compressor or a re-built compressor?

My compressor began locking up and I took it to a regular old A/C repair shop to a mechanic familiar with working on Volvo who flushed it and installed a new 850 compressor, condensor, evaporator. This mechanic rebuilds literally thousands of compressors. I leave the shop and get on the interstate and get up to a speed of 60-70mph and the car starts making 3 or 4 consecutive clicks, simultaneously as the clicking begins the car is drawing on the electic system it seems causing a slight jerking motion only when the clicks are present. The clicks do not happen when the A/C is off. The clicks sound like it is coming from the relay area behind the glove-box. Right relay is hot as hell, left relay is normal. Have been told this is not the problem and is normal. If I turn the A/C off while driving, the car makes a sudden "pull/jerk." When idle turning off A/C, car shuts off. Car won't cool below 60 degrees.

I take it to the Volvo Specialists and they tell me my "Air Recycle" button is broken and causing the clicking noise by the arm trying to catch and lock in place. The compressor is trying to shut off improperly. They disesemble the "arm" and the it seems to have fixed the clicking and engine shut-off problem. Just no recycled air now. Unrelated, they advise that the compressor I had installed is not cooling properly and that the car should get down to 45 degrees, as they demonstrated in another model. The Volvo Specialists also tell me that the fans are not blowing properly and thus am taking it to them for a new electrical motor, A/C fan motor, A/C fan resistor to fix the above issues. I am wondering the difference in compressors I might get if I decide to have these guys re-do the previous one. These guys will order a "new" compressor that is basically just a re-built compressor correct? Volvo dealerships send re-built compressors not "new factory" right? I am wondering the difference in the same model compressor I got from the original A/C shop and the one I would get from Volvo. My first mechanic has offered to install a "new re-built" one free of charge and stands behind his work. The Volvo guys tell me that it is possible the first mechanic put "too much oil" in the compressor originally. They have stressed that official Volvo parts were not installed in my car. A re-built compressor by my mechanic is the same model re-built compressor I would get from the Volvo dealer, am I wrong here? I am not sure what to do in this situation.

Please advise and much thanks in any replies and feedback.

 

I just can't believe that your aux fan, blower motor resistor, and fan relay would all need to be replaced. Sounds like a another stealership story to me. Have you had any flashing lights coming from your leds on your control panel on start up? The ones next to your switches recirc and a/c switches. If so, have your mechanic pull the codes. If I was you I would either give your mechanic a chance to redeem himself or get a second opionion from another Volvo indy. Maybe even have you indy help you offset the cost for a new compressor and have him put it in. Try this place for your parts: http://fcpgroton.com/VolvoAC/volvo850ac.htm. Oh, and I believe that the difference between rebuilt and new is that for "new" they replace all internals with new parts and for rebuilt is most essential internals are new, but I am not 100% sure. Maybe tech will chime in on this one and give you more well seasoned advice.

Also why would the mechanic you took it to need to replace the condensor, evaporator, and compressor. I could see the evap if you had a leak there, which is pretty common what I hear(knock on wood) or the compressor and drier if that is what it was, but all three. Did he replace the drier? Thats a must if you open your system.

Well good luck and let us know, I'm curious...hope your not just getting bent over

Oh and welcome.

 

Now when you order a Compressor from Volvo they are New and Not rebuild. Atleast the ones we get arent.

I to say it sounds fishy about the Condenser to be bad. I have never replaced one for leakinng only for Damage from hitting something and poking a hole in it.

It should cool way better than that. I can usually get mine to cool to about 30 Degrees.

Make sure he replaced the dryer. Also I would have the first Tech install another new one and go from there.

Also the Blower motors and resistors are common to go bad.
When they do they usually will turn the Blower motor on for a few minutes or seconds then turn off. The lights on the A/C controls will also Blink then.

 

Thanks for the feedback. The Volvo Specialists here can order a new compressor out of the box or a new rebuilt one. It was like $50 more dollars for the new out of box, new case. The condensor is not being replaced, my error. The new fans, blower and resistor have made an incredible difference, glad I did it. I have having a new, rebuilt compressor installed today at no cost. Should solve my clicking problems. Does anyone have any feedback on using after market products such as for the distrib. cap and rotor, spark plug wires? Looking forward to picking it up in just a little bit. Thanks again.

 

Buy Bosch Ingition Parts. They make them for Volvo.