My 850 AC problems sound like what a lot of other folks here are reporting. My AC will usually blow cold for a while, then stop cycling and get warm. Generally it will work for 10-20 minutes. Steady highway driving seems to keep it working longer, stop and go driving less. I should mention that it doesn't get extremely cold at any time. The evaporator was replaced by the previous owner just over a year ago.

I took it in to the dealer to get it evaluated. Here is what they told me: It needs a new compressor, accumulator and expansion valve. They also said that it needed the blower assembly replaced and the interior temperature sensors (auto climate control) replaced. All this came to a grand total parts and labor estimate of almost $1500. They said that the refrigerant pressure was OK. Naturally, I am somewhat reluctant to make this kind of investment. Summer's half over.

So why the post? I was wondering if anyone else had similar problems, with a similar diagnosis. And especially if they had then had the work done, and it fixed their problem. Also, what they might have paid to get this level of work done.

Thanks,
Phantom

For all of those folks that were following this post, I have gotten my A/C repaired, and it is working. There is some bad news, and some sort of good news.

After the dealer estimate, my options were to live without A/C, take out a loan, or get another estimate. I decided to take it to Swedish Engineering in Marietta. The bad news is the original diagnosis was correct, the compressor was bad. The sort of good news is the repair bill was $870, or roughly a $600 savings over the dealer estimate. This was for a compressor, receiver/dryer, orifice tube and recharge.

The rest of the bad news is that I suspect that some of you who are experiencing similar problems which haven't responded to any of the suggested fixes, especially if you have an older or high mileage car, might have the same problem. I had been hoping for an easy and relatively inexpensive fix. Now I am just hoping that the fix will last a good long time.

Phantom

Go to an AUTO AC specialist and get a second opinion. I wouldn't be surprised if the freon was overcharged. Regardless, get a second opinion. Volvo doesn't have the market cornered on Volvo ACs.

forget about replacing it just recharge it every year... cheaper buy a kit at walmart and do it yourself...

we have the systerm replace at dealer 2 times like you $1500 each time.. only for the leak to come back again... you must learn fast there are a design difecctive on the aircondition that why it leak after 2 years...

don't throw away your $$$$$$$$$

First, if the compressor's not noisy then I highly doubt that it's bad. Next, the car does NOT have an expansion valve, has an oriface tube which doesn't just "go bad" and is usually never replaced. Old 240s had expansion valves and that's where they stopped with Volvos. If the pressures were OK, then what's wrong with the compressor, accumulator or oriface tube? If either of those were really bad, your pressures wouldn't be normal, period.
Sounds to me like some serious double-barrel shotgun diagnostics IMHO as there's no way ALL that's why your AC isn't working right.
I'd seek out another dealer, another "real tech" at that dealership (if possible) or even try an indy who knows 850s, has actual 850 experience.

Robert,

I felt somewhat the same way when they gave me the estimate. Interesting note about the expansion valve, but I looked again, and it is right there on my receipt. I had come to the same conclusion about taking it to another shop. There is an indie european car specialist shop in town that I will probably take it to for a second opinion. I would like to fix it, but before I spend that kind of money, I want to be sure all of that it is really necessary.

In any case, if I successfully resolve this problem, I will post the fix, as this seems to be a common problem.

Phantom

Believe it or not, the freon may be low again and THAT just might be the only problem with your AC system (besides it leaking slowly from somewhere). If it's low (known when the freon is recovered, weighed) and if there's dye in the system, have it checked with a blacklight. If the newer evap's leaking again (can happen) and it's a slow leak, like takes a season or two to leak, then I'd just have it topped up (recharged) as I don't believe there are laws regulating that with 134a as there is with R12 (which can't legally be topped up if there's a known leak).
Make sure that whoever looks at the car has 850 AC experience, not just a guy who says he knows as I'm sure that many would.

I replied to an earlier post about this,but somehow the reply didn`y show up on the board.
I had the same basic problem on my `97.My mechanic,an indy,bypassed the a/c high temp switch and now it works as new.A 5 min procedure for which he did not charge.He said that switch failure is common in 850`s and there are many other safety features in the system,such as high pressure cut-off,so that the switch can safely be bypassed.

Can you send me a copy as well? After all of these request, you may want to consider placing on the board for anyone.
Thanks.

dear katfishstu,

how did your mechanic do this, is it possible for the average person to make this bypass? Please e-mail me at asmith@smith-designs.net

Thanks
--
Drew

HI,

IF POSSIBLE COULD YOU EMAIL ME HOW TO BYPASS THIS SWITHCH THANKS.

PAUL 850R
EMAIL:PAULTANNER7@AOL.COM

Better yet post it for all

yes please do post how.. looks like we all need a little help with this one
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'93 850 GLT *Red* 5 Speed