I have a 2002 S60 2.4T with 2000miles.

From the beginning, I have noticed that when the air conditioning is on, there is a cyclic "hissing/rattling" noise about every 15 seconds. This is accompanied by a subtle but very distinguishable vibration of the ac compressor comming on and off. With the hood open observing the engine, it is obvious. Volvo Dealership says it's "normal", but it makes me crazy to hear it (the car feels great with the AC off).

Can anyone comment or relate to this?

Yes I do hear things. Indeed a hissing and rattling. But, it is not really loud and it occurs sometimes (once per minutes?). I'm not worried about it.
As suggested, the best to do is to ask a test drive with another S60/V70 at your dealership.

I have exactly the same problem with my 2001 2.4T and it drives me nuts. It is very loud and sounds almost like a loose timing chain. The noise is not "normal" by any means and is unacceptable in a $30,000+ luxury car. I plan on dropping it off with the dealership and telling them I won't pick it back up until they fix it.

Jim,

The noise absolutely drives me nuts, and where I live I use AC 10 months a year! I have left the car at the dealership for several days and they insist it is "normal" for the design. It is unacceptable to me, but what can I do. I test drove another model on the lot and it did the same thing. Had I noticed it prior to purchase, I would not have gone through with it. I don't know who else in Volvo to contact. Let me know if you learn anything.

EEA

My 2000 S70 will make a click sound every 15 sec or so once the interior temp is cooled down. Dealer claims it's normal. Going on the third summer and it blows as cold as day one. Hissing noises I do not get, but would worry me though.

If you want peace of mind, ask the dealer to take you out in one or two new 2002 S60's to demonstrate the "normal" sounds of the AC.

if you have the AC on, the compressor should come on and remained engaged. If it's going off and on, I'd think that you didn't have any refridgerant in the system.

With only the AC on, crank the temp switches to the coldest setting. Does the compressor engage only once - and are you getting cold air inside the cabin?

For such a new car, hissing and rattling does not sound normal.

DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW IF THE S60 HAS THE SAME EVAP PROBLEMS AS THE 850 OR S70?

Dan

My s60 24t just kind of has starting making a similar noise. I didn't really notice it untill about 1k miles ago (have 10k now). Strange though, it's not really loud at all, or atleast as loud as it sounds for you.

hmmmmm

I have owned my S60 2.4T for 1 1/2 month and, this morning, I went to the
dealer for a minor problem of bad odour coming from the AC. I asked about
this hissling noise that I also hear and the master tech of the shop told me
that it is normal and explained what does this.
He first asked me if it happens only a couple of times after I start the AC (this is exactly what happens) and described the noise better than I did.
He then gave me a lenghty technical explanation, that I would be unable to repeat, and reassured me that there is nothing wrong.
I must add that if the radio is playing or if I am talking with somebody, I hardly notice it.