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Smoochiii
Saturday 4th June 2005, 14:41
Hi people, first post here and i'm hoping someone will know the answer to my obscure problem on my '96 850 T5 estate...

Set heater controls to lowest setting, blower position doesn't matter, air recirculation off, A/C on OR off.
Turn the blower on and every 5 seconds or so, you can hear what sounds like a relay click on and off somewhere beneath the dash. At the same time what i assume is the compressor comes on for a second and then clicks off. Hence no A/C and cold air in this wonderful hot weather we're having at the mo (not).

I guess my question is... Is this senario supposed to happen whether the A/C is turned on or off and why doesn't the compressor stay on longer ?

A/C is all a bit over my head i'm afraid, so I'd be eternally grateful for any assistance.

One other thing, whilst i'm here... In replacing my busted heater matrix the other week, i came across a grey 2 pin plug, with a brown wire and a red/white white attached to it - Not connected to anything. This seemed to appear from the wiring loom that sits below the stereo/fag lighter area. I couldn't see a place to plug it back into though. Anyone know if it actually does anything ???

Cheers guys !

splatt
Saturday 4th June 2005, 14:56
Welcome to VF...I'm sure somone on here will have your answers...

The clicking is probably a solenoid..had a similar problem with the low pressure switch on mine £10 from Volvo, easy to change..no more clicking..

Andrew
Saturday 4th June 2005, 15:01
It may also need re-gassing.

Smoochiii
Saturday 4th June 2005, 17:32
Popped the bonnet and found the source of the clicking noise... Picture attached. Seems this little wheel spins up, then stops. Is this the compressor ?
As for regassing, had that done within the last 6 months, no leaks found then. So unless its developed a leak since then, perhaps that is the cause of the problem. Probably worth getting that checked as well i guess...

splatt
Saturday 4th June 2005, 18:00
That is the magnet clutch on the air con compressor...it clicks on and off to keep the system flowing, on the bulkhead you should find an air con hard pipe with a screw in switch/multiplug connector attached, if you remove it there will be a short puff of gas before the safety valve seals itself...try cleaning the switch up. make sure u r outside!!!
If u r not happy doing it I would say take it to an AC specialist, the gas can be a little bit 'unpleasant' to say the least!!