960 air conditioning Q and info....

Discussion in 'Volvo 960' started by Randy G., Aug 1, 2004.

  1. Randy G.

    Randy G. Guest

    The Q first- where is the high-pressure-side connection for a gauge on
    this car (1993 960 estate)?. The low pressure is right near the
    drier(?.. the silver canister near the fire wall). I ask because....

    I went to an air conditioning shop recommended by my alignment guy
    (who I trust). They couldn't find the high side port and said this car
    doesn't have one. They said they added about a pound of refrigerant.
    The air is now really cold and worked great yesterday on the way home
    from the shop. Actually was dripping condensation from under the car
    as it should for the first time in a while. The recirculation "off"
    button turned off as well (lit automatically when car is hot inside
    and then unlit when it cooled off). They said some other contradictory
    things as well- each of which may not be a big deal but when taken all
    together makes me not want to go back there again.
    __ __
    Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
    \__/olvo
    '93 960 Estate
     
    Randy G., Aug 1, 2004
    #1
  2. Randy G.

    VRparts Guest

    If it is like a 940 there are 3 high pressure ports behind the grill.
    They have pressure switches in them.

    Al
    94 940 166 Kmi
    Had
    94 940 257504 mi Crunch- Parted out
    94 940 165 k mi Daughters
    86 240 320 K mi
    81 240D ate transmissions
    79 245D
     
    VRparts, Aug 1, 2004
    #2
  3. Randy G.

    Randy G. Guest

    I got those, but without removing a switch it is it possible to
    install a test gauge? Is there a valve behind the switches that keeps
    the R134a from escaping? Can a hihg-side pressure gauge be installed
    there for the purpose of testing and/or filling?

    Thanks!

    __ __
    Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
    \__/olvo
    '93 960 Estate
     
    Randy G., Aug 1, 2004
    #3
  4. Randy G.

    Mike F Guest

    Behind the switches is something like a large tire valve (schrader
    valve). These switches control the fan speeds (low and high) and the
    compressor cutoff if the pressure gets too high, so operating with one
    disconnected for testing purposes won't hurt anything. (Reconnect the
    switch to the wiring harness after removal)

    --
    Mike F.
    Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

    NOTE: new address!!
    Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
    (But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)
     
    Mike F, Aug 3, 2004
    #4
  5. Randy G.

    Randy G. Guest

    THANKS Mike! That's exactly what I needed to know. The owner of the
    shop I went to (recommended by my alignment guy) said his air
    conditioning guy as experienced and said that this car didn't have
    such a port. it reinforces some other things he said that supports my
    opinion that he didn't know what he was doing. I think I'll buy the
    big bottle of R134a and a manifold set and do it myself from now on!
    It probably would have saved me money.

    Thanks again!
    __ __
    Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
    \__/olvo
    '93 960 Estate
     
    Randy G., Aug 3, 2004
    #5
  6. Randy G.

    Mike F Guest

    Keep in mind that under those switches are R12 type service fittings.
    If you want to hook R134a equipment you'll need to temporarily add an
    adapter. Also, these are on the high pressure side, you'll want to use
    one of the fittings on the drier to add refrigerant. And the R134a
    fittings are different (size) from low to high, make sure you don't try
    to fill from a can to the high side! And doing some of this may be
    illegal where you live.


    --
    Mike F.
    Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

    NOTE: new address!!
    Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
    (But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)
     
    Mike F, Aug 5, 2004
    #6
  7. Randy G.

    Randy G. Guest

    It is still legal to fill your own R134a in California. Costco
    actually sells the large (3 gallon?) bottle of R134a. I do have one
    fitting on the drier and have used it to add a little R134a
    previously.

    Thanks again.
    __ __
    Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
    \__/olvo
    '93 960 Estate
     
    Randy G., Aug 6, 2004
    #7
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