The switch on my 1995 850 heat/AC blower fan doesn't work most of the time. It cut out one speed at a time, with speeds 1 and then 4 the last to stop working. Do I need to get the switch itself replaced? Most sites saw this part is no longer available.

Thanks!

 

It is likely the blower motor resistor that has failed.
There are two systems and you have the MCC. The manual climate control. They will use different parts.

You should search for info on testing it just to make sure.
This is just one place that carries it and an idea of what it will cost.
Duralast/A/C Heater Blower Motor Resistor (JA1696) | 1995 Volvo 850 5 Cylinders 5 2.3L Turbo DOHC | AutoZone.com

 

Thanks for your info, Kiss4aFrog! Was wondering if since the labor for both switch and resistor are essentially the same (removing the dash) it would make sense to go ahead and replace both parts now, considering the age of the vehicle (probably original parts, both the switch and the resistor).

 

The switch is in the panel but the resistor is in the plenum down in the passenger foot well.

My car, I would only do the resistor. BUT . . . if I say that to you the switch will burn up in a week
From your description it pretty much points to the resistor and nothing else. I'd just do the resistor.

Please see:

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...hp?f=1&t=23749

Blower Resistor Repair Guide 850/s,v70 - FWD/AWD 1998 and Prior - Volvospeed Forums

 

So today out of habit, I switched on the blower all the way to speed 4. It blew full force for a couple of seconds then shut off and wouldn't restart. Is that still sounding like the resistor? Saw one thread somewhere that said the actual blower motor could cause certain issues.

Thanks so much for all your help!

 

Anybody?

I do know there is a Freon leak, and sounds like it's at the condenser considering history of this model. Haven't had

 

Oops, sent too soon. Haven't had any Freon added this season. Can hear the compressor cycling on and off.

 

One of two ways the blower motor is going to fail. One ... it will just fail to start and be dead. It could be caused by a burnt out winding, the brushes for the motor being worn out/down or the bearings that it spins on seizing. The last one is the worst as the motor fails to spin but it's still pulling power through the circuit and that's where it can then burn out your resistor.

If it's intermittent it can be those bearings and there are instructions on line to take it apart and lube it. Not that hard and you're not taking it completely apart just remove it from the car and take a cover off. With bad bearings the motor is pulling more amps than it should through the circuit so it's where you can burn out a resistor pack, replace the pack and end up burning out your new one if you don't check the fan for free spinning.

It could also be a relay with burnt contacts that at times switches on but doesn't make proper contact and other times does.

Because your's is specific to speed slection as in it runs in position 4 but not 1,2,3 .... I'm thinking more a relay problem or maybe the switch itself but I'd need to put my hands on it to figure it out. There's a limit to what I can do on line.

When it's not working you need to be able to track the wiring and find out where you lose power. That's the way to find out what part is causing the problem.

Try these:

'93 850 heater fan works on 4, not on 1, 2 or 3!

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...php?f=1&t=8819

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...hp?f=1&t=34370

95 850 fan stopped working - please help

 

Awesome. Your first instinct still seems most correct -- that it's the resistor. Will start there. Thanks again. I inherited this car, have a former jaguar mechanic who is now doing European cars in his own shop and just doesn't know that much about Volvos. Your expertise is awesome.

 

To get the resister out just pull the lower dash panel, 3 screws, then look under there and pull the 2 screws out that holds the resister in. Then unplug the resister.

 

Sounds almost easy enough that I could handle that myself!