A/C Compressor not coming on

A/C Compressor not coming on - 84 Volvo 242

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Dave - 03 Mar 2007 17:20 GMT

This problem is with my 1984 Volvo 242. Had my a/c system completely
rebuilt 2.5 years ago with new compressor, etc and has been working
fine. The compressor is no longer turning on when the a/c switch is
turned on. The adjustable thermostat switch on the switch was not
replaced when the system was redone. Before taking this in to the Volvo
mechanic, are their any obvious things to check? I did check the fuse
and it was OK. Is their anything funny about this thermostat switch?

Thanks in advance,

Dave

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James Sweet - 03 Mar 2007 18:44 GMT

> This problem is with my 1984 Volvo 242. Had my a/c system completely
> rebuilt 2.5 years ago with new compressor, etc and has been working
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Dave

You can check it with an ohm meter, it's just a switch. Be careful not
to damage the capillary tube for the thermostat that controls it.
Turning it fully clockwise should close the contacts regardless of the
state of the thermostat. If the compressor is no longer turning on the
charge may have leaked out, I don't recall whether the 240s have a
pressostat to sense that.

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z - 15 Mar 2007 20:59 GMT

> > This problem is with my 1984 Volvo 242. Had my a/c system completely
> > rebuilt 2.5 years ago with new compressor, etc and has been working
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> charge may have leaked out, I don't recall whether the 240s have a
> pressostat to sense that.

While we're on the subject, what's the deal with the red end of the AC
thermostat? What's that represent? War Emergency Air Conditioning?
Temperatures so cold as to be dangerous?

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James Sweet - 16 Mar 2007 03:38 GMT

>>You can check it with an ohm meter, it's just a switch. Be careful not
>>to damage the capillary tube for the thermostat that controls it.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> thermostat? What's that represent? War Emergency Air Conditioning?
> Temperatures so cold as to be dangerous?

It bypasses the thermostatic switch, forcing the compressor to stay on
(assuming no fault conditions). It can cause the evaporator to ice up,
no damage but it will stop cooling until the ice melts and it could leak
on the carpet.

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Mike F - 06 Mar 2007 13:22 GMT

> This problem is with my 1984 Volvo 242. Had my a/c system completely
> rebuilt 2.5 years ago with new compressor, etc and has been working
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Dave

Connect the 2 wires at the receiver-drier, and see if the compressor
comes on then. If so, then the switch is bad (very unlikely) or the
refrigerant has been lost.

Signature

Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

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graham.brownlee2 - 14 Mar 2007 21:34 GMT

Dave
I do not know where the a/c compressor is on the 242, but if you can get to
it, when you think that it should be coming in, ie a/c full on, VERY
CAREFULLY give the end of the clutch a tap with a thin wooden stick. If it
clicks in, your clutch may be worn beyond its limits. It might be possible
to adjust it in situ if this is the problem.
Graham

> This problem is with my 1984 Volvo 242. Had my a/c system completely
> rebuilt 2.5 years ago with new compressor, etc and has been working
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Dave

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James Sweet - 15 Mar 2007 04:36 GMT

> Dave
> I do not know where the a/c compressor is on the 242, but if you can get to
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> to adjust it in situ if this is the problem.
> Graham

It's right on the front on the lower-left side of the car. Easy to get
to like all the rest of the accessories on a 240.

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