Hey guys and gals...having a problem with my wife's S40. The A/C only works when it feels like it...sometimes it's fine, sometimes it doesn't work at all (blows warm) and sometimes it works for a few minutes then blows warm.

I'm not too familiar with anything but American cars...not sure if it just needs a charge or what. The compressor seems to be working (I think I hear it kicking on and off).

Any suggestions?

Thanks for any input!

 

Check and see if the clutch is working when it blows warm. The clutch might need to be reshimmed.

 

This happened to my 2005 s40. My service guy at the dealership said it might be the freon (sp?)... Well it wasn't. It was actually my ac compressor. I got a whole new one...! Luckily it was covered under warranty.

 

If it is not under warranty you can have it reshimmed.

 

Might sound weird but check the outside temp display when tha a/c is not cooling. If it goes down to temps way colder than it's supposed to be then there's a service bulleting for that problem. They will clean some electrical harness contact points or replace the harness and the problem will be solved.

 

I had the exact same problem, and the comprssor needed to be reshimmed. I was able to fix the problem myself by placing some shim stock, about the thichness of a razor blade, under the three rubber bumpers located on the pulley face of the A/C compressor. I applied a dab of super glue to ensure the shim stock did not fall out. You need to remove the front passengar side tire and the fender well cover to gain access to the compressor. The entire process took about 45 minutes and saved me a bundle. I did this about three months ago, and the A/C is still working great.

 

I am so thankful to have found this post on here. I am having the same problem and took my car into get looked at. I walked out of the dealership with them telling me that I needed about 1100 dollars of work done to replace the A/C compressor, front air guide, both air drive belts, and freon.

I declined to have the work done and am still contemplating my next step. I have read that the A/C compressor needed to be reshimmed in many of the previous posts and I am a little confused as to what this exactly is. Do I need to contact the dealer to do this (will they even do this?) or should I take it to a private Volvo speacialist to have this done.

My air blows cold at highway speed but goes in and out during city driving. About how much would it cost to get the compressor reshimmed or unclogged through the dealer?

 

Here is my post about reshimming it. I have to make a better one soon but should give you and idea. Take it to a Volvo specialist should be about 2 hours labor.
https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-850-16/c-compressor-clutch-reshimming-6665/

 

Thanks for your help. I see that you are located in Orlando. I am also from there and would like to know if you recommend a certain Volvo specialist in the area.

 

I work at one if you want to try us. Send me a PM and I will send you the info on the shop.

 

The external temp display always reads about 15* colder than it really is...I'm thinking this may be my problem.

Does anybody know more about this TSB or this issue?

 

I was hoping to find out more about this possible temp display issue before I tear apart the A/C compressor. Anyone have any info about this?

 

It might be one of the sensors in the side view mirror.

 

Any solid way to troubleshoot them?

Any good source for replacements?

Thanks for the tip!

 

It is kind of hard to trouble shoot them without having the proper tool(scanner) to read them.
But that should not affect the A/C.

 

I didn't think so either...but someone said it might be the cause. I guess it's not too far fetched - if the car thinks it's 26* out when it's really 86*, maybe the car wouldn't blow cold air.

Seems too "high tech" though and I'm leaning toward the bad compressor clutches and hopefully removing the shims will do the trick.

Thanks for all your input everyone!

 

You can reshim the compressor without even removing it from its position.
Unscrew the inner fender liner then you can get right to it.

 

I didn't know that! Thanks for the tip.

I'm leaning toward the possibility of having to do this re-shim job. Kinda daunting for someone who has never worked on a Swedish Automobile before.

 

It is not that bad at all. You mainly need to loosen and pull back the inner liner in the front. Then remove the 10MM in the center. Then there is 2 ways you can get it apart.
I use a puller I put a longer 10MM bolt in and install 3 screws into the front of the clutch(I believe they are 5MM threads. Then pull the center out. Then you can remove one of the shims and put it back together using the original 10MM screw. There should be a thick and thin shim in there. Remove the thicker one and only use the thin one and you should be fine for a while.

 

Thank you for the info, tech.

I was hesitant to do the job but now I think I can swing it.