A/C only works intermittently
 

My 98 S70 has had an issue with the A/C only working on an intermittent basis for about 5 years. Sometimes it works fine, other times it will not engage. I've had this checked by my Volvo dealer and they couldn't find the problem. The worse thing is that it's intermittent.

Anyone know what might cause this?

Is it cold when it does work?

Dads s70 glt has same issue, gets cold then clicks off after running for a bit?

could be the fan clutch..?

It doesn't seem to be dependent on outside temperature. It was scorching hot yesterday and luckily it was working.

Best way to test the theory is when it starts blowing warm check for power at the compressor. If you have power the clutch needs a reshim.

Just to clarify, in my case it doesn't start then stop. It either works or it doesn't.

Some days it won't start at all, i.e.: I press the AC button and the green light doesn't turn on and I get no cold air. Other days it works fine.

Ok then you have another issue then. Maybe the relay under the hood.

Could also be the AC switch itself; mine went out and gave very similar symptoms.

Pop the switch out and when it stops working ck to make sure voltage is on both sides of the switch.

may also be a bad pressure switch...if it fails there is nothing to tell the compressor to turn on..also if it is low on freon this could happen..sometimes work sometimes not...I would test your switch itself wiith a test light. Turn switch on. Find power wire to compressor and put test light on it if it lights up then your switch is good if not switch is bad unless the is a relay in between the 2 the test from switch to relay if power switch is good then wire after relay if lights up relay is good if not relay is bad...can also test same way at presure switch if power at pressure switch and compressor does not turn on you either have a bad pressure switch or low on freon..get a test light save yyou a lot of time and guessing.. :) good luck

Posted this reply to another AC problem ........
I`ve got a 2000 S70 SE that has been leaking AC refridgerant for the last 3 years. I would just recharge the AC at the beginning of the summer and it would last thru the summer.

Not this year .... recharged it and a week later was gone. Took it to my guy and he put a fluid in that would see where the leak was when gone over w/ a green light.

Needed a new compressor and reciever dryer tank. $684 later ( parts & labor ) it`s like brand new.

Living in New England I had to have it.

I am NOT savvy with cars and stuff, although I am a handyman and have fixed various things in various cars before, but I don't know terms and part names like I would have to in order to be a "car repairman". All I do when I need to fix something is I use google + youtube and voila... I can get things done. I am a hands-on type of person.

I have a 2001 V70 and my a/c works at times and at times it just decides not to work. When it works it is always ice cold. When it doesn't, if I speed off real quick or hit a pot hole, it sometimes kicks it back on. Once in a very blue moon (I mean, verrryyyyyy blue moon) the whole panel turns off and stays off for a little while and when I turn the car off and leave it off for the night, the next morning the panel lights up just fine. I don't think I have a leak, nor it needs freon. The a/c is COLD! But for whatever reason, it decides to turn off and on whenever. It has a mind of its own. Now, please note it doesn't go off and on all the time while I'm driving. If I start the car and it is working, it works for quite a while, sometimes days. But if I start the car and it doesn't start, that's when the speeding off and pot hitting begins. I don't want to keep doing this because I am not an offensive driver nor I want to bend my wheels or anything worst, but when it's 110F outside, one desperately uses all tools to start the dang thing. Please help if you can and shed some light. Thanks in advance.