r12 or r-134a air conditioner

I have three 240's and have air conditioner questions.
The 1989 I am sure is r12.
The 1993 has a air system that is labeled R-134a.
The 1991 has a air system that looks like the R-134a
in the 93, but is not labeled as the 1993 is on the top
of the tin can.

Any help will be fine.
Thank,
Joseph

 

The R-134a systems have fittings that are reverse threaded; if the
fittings on the 1991 match the fittings on the 1993, it's R-134a.


Gary

 

Reverse threaded? The standard R134a fittings are not threaded at all,
they're quick connects.

 

James, Thanks, I checked the refrigerant can and it is quick
release....
You are a God Send....Thanks.
Joseph

 

I checked the refrigerant can and it is quick release....

 

In <>,

What? I've never seen a refrigerant can that was quick release. Usually,
the low pressure and high-pressure ends are quick release. The cans
are threaded - you have to use an adaptor to connect it to the low pressure
end.

AC

 

I assume he's talking about the reciever/dryer can, a can of fresh
refrigerant will be clearly labeled, no guesswork there.

 

James,
I just replaced my heat/air fan and boy was it a task (now I have warm
air..YIPPI)
.....I now have an air conditioner issue.
I don't have cool/cold air, I hooked up a can of R134 and immediatly
the meter was in the
RED. This means that it is full. The R134 unit does not get cold,
rather it was warm/hot when
I attempted to fill it. The car is at 240 (1993). I also replace the
bulb in the air conditioner switch,
which I thought was not allowing the air conditioner to turn on.
Also, I checked the relay switch while I was under the dash and it
gets power, then when I turn the
switch on the second prong gets power, then a few seconds later the
third prong get power after I
hear a click, but, the forth/last prong never gets power, could that
be my problem.
Any idea what my issue might be.
Thanks again,
Joseph

 

There's a pressostat on the filter/dryer cannister, it fails sometimes and
won't let the system come on. IIRC '93 uses the GM AC system on which the
pressostat is screwed onto a shrader valve and thus can be replaced without
opening the system.

 

James,
Thanks for off...for your assistance.
The pressostats on my two 240's are not identical, so I could not swap
them to test.
The 93 came with the R134, the 91 must of been converted at some time.
When I unplug and replug the pressostat on the 240 (ac not working)
the idle on the
car changes a bit, but the ac does not get cold. Does that mean that
the pressostat is working or just that it is
taking power? I may have to head out to the salvage yard to try to
find one that matches.
Thanks again,
Joseph

 

That probably means that it's working, you can temporarily bypass it to
check though. Does the compressor spin? If not, I suspect a bad clutch,
wiring to it, or relay.

 

I have owned a 91 240 and currently own a 93. The 93 240 was the
first year that Volvo introduced R134. Among other improvements over
the 91 240, it had an air bag for the front passenger and the driver
had padding in front of his knees in case of an accident. Also have
electric side mirrors.

Most likely the best 240 one can buy.

 

They're great cars, I'd much rather have one without the airbag, but a '93
240 is one of the best cars Volvo ever built IMO. Wish they made a 2 door.

 

My mistake, I was thinking about another Volvo. The 93 240 doesn't
have a passenger air bag.

I was thinking of my ex- 95 960 versus my 98 S90 (960 re-badge).

P.S. I have disabled the air bags in my 93 240. I find it unfair
that in an accident, I would have one, but the wife wouldn't. Very
easy to do, btw, just unplug the battery, remove 2(?) screws at top of
steering and unplug air bag.

 

Well the passenger doesn't have a steering wheel to smash their face into,
but the steering column on a Volvo is collapsible anyway and thing that
scares me about airbags is they're so powerful, and it adds one more thing
to look out for when working on a car. A 240 is a very safe car even without
the bag, always buckle up and drive carefully, no need for the added
complexity.

 

Is the Pressostat also called the pressure cycle switch ?
Thanks,
Joseph

 

Also, do not forget that air bags do NOT last forever. I think the
life of a bag is around 10 years. It's written on a sticker at side
of door or something like that.

I ain't in a mood to spend a few grands to replace air bags...

Moreover, common sense will always prevail over technology. People
feel more secure cause of air bags, abs, etc. and this feeling of
increased safety makes many, if not most, take higher risks when
driving.

Common sense and mankind seem kind of incompatible. On the bright
side, there are too many people on this planet, so I see cars as a
mean to reduce the population. Similar to cigarette. It's not smart,
but that's mostly who we are...