V50 Engine 2.4 : General advice for a new old car owner

[demeaux]

I've recently bought an 04 V50. It's my first car, ever. I've managed to get through nearly all of my adult life without owning a car. Which is a bit mad.

Within a month of owning it I've had an engine warning light come on, which was resolved by fitting a new fuel sensor and then resetting.

I've got new discs on and after a week of driving around listening to them "bed in" and them not "bedding in" it's off to the garage to be looked at (as there's also a passenger side rattle when I go over bumps).

In the last week the A/C has gone from just about working to only throwing out hot air on the passenger side and cold air on the driver side.
It's also very difficult/impossible to get the windscreen to demist.

What should/could I be doing to look at the A/C problem?
Ah yes, also meant to say:
The outside temp sensor decided to tell me it was -7 C outside on Monday night. It was 18C. This was when the A/C was also going nuts.


I'm also wondering if it's possible to swap out the lamps for something less yellow and able to light up the road ahead of me a bit better.

(I'm off to look around and try and find the answers I need on here, but sometimes it's quicker and easier to ask first)
thanks in advance if anyone can answer my questions.

[Kev0607]

Does your car have dual zone climate, so one side can be colder and the other side warmer? If it does, are both temperatures set the same. One side may be set to cold and the other set to hot. Its a possibility! If not, then...

Warm air blowing out one side and cold on the other could be a sign of low refrigerant in the a/c system. As it was working recently and has stopped, its either low on refrigerant or there's a leak somewhere. Its not something you can fix yourself, as you need to be trained/qualified to work on a/c systems. A garage will need to look at this, test for leaks and "regas" the system. Bring it to them and explain the symptoms.

If its not low refrigerant, it could be something called a blend door. As you say the window is difficult to demist, the door may not be working properly, meaning air isn't being directed to the windscreen as it should. Again, a garage would need to look at it. (It may not be the blend door, it could be the refrigerant... garage diagnosis required).

Bulbs can be sorted fairly easily. You can buy brighter Halogen ones that are more of a white colour than yellow. They allow for better visibility at night, but don't be expecting them to be great either... Its an old car with halogen lights. Its not going to have bright lights like some of the new cars do. I suggest you go to a local parts store, give them your reg and tell them what you want. For a fee, they may fit them (Halfords definitely do).

The air temp sensor sounds like its no longer working. Normally, this is underneath the passenger side wing mirror. Try giving it a clean first to see if it makes any difference, as sometimes dirt can make it misread. If it doesn't work, then its likely that you'll need a new sensor.

I suggest you mention the issues you're having to a garage of your choice. In the kindest way possible without sounding rude, if its your first car ever, unless you're mechanically minded, you'll be unlikely to fix these issues yourself.

[demeaux]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

In the kindest way possible without sounding rude, if its your first car ever, unless you're mechanically minded, you'll be unlikely to fix these issues yourself.

Not a problem! I'm unlikely to want or have the time to fix it myself! I mean, I'd like to be able to potter around and poke things knowledgeably and talk confidently about what it is and what it isn't or what it could be, but that's not going to happen quickly.


I'm not looking to turn the car into something it's not, and I'm fully aware I've bought a 20 yr old car ("faded elegance" is the slogan we're using at home). I just don't know where to start with "what could be wrong here then".


I'll give the sensor a check, have a fiddle with the climate control (currently both sides set at low - might change this to 14/15 C instead), call the dealer tmrw.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by demeaux

Not a problem! I'm unlikely to want or have the time to fix it myself! I mean, I'd like to be able to potter around and poke things knowledgeably and talk confidently about what it is and what it isn't or what it could be, but that's not going to happen quickly.


I'm not looking to turn the car into something it's not, and I'm fully aware I've bought a 20 yr old car ("faded elegance" is the slogan we're using at home). I just don't know where to start with "what could be wrong here then".


I'll give the sensor a check, have a fiddle with the climate control (currently both sides set at low - might change this to 14/15 C instead), call the dealer tmrw.

Hopefully its easy fixes and nothing too expensive or drastic. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by demeaux

I've recently bought an 04 V50. It's my first car, ever. I've managed to get through nearly all of my adult life without owning a car. Which is a bit mad.

Within a month of owning it I've had an engine warning light come on, which was resolved by fitting a new fuel sensor and then resetting.

I've got new discs on and after a week of driving around listening to them "bed in" and them not "bedding in" it's off to the garage to be looked at (as there's also a passenger side rattle when I go over bumps).

In the last week the A/C has gone from just about working to only throwing out hot air on the passenger side and cold air on the driver side.
It's also very difficult/impossible to get the windscreen to demist.

What should/could I be doing to look at the A/C problem?
Ah yes, also meant to say:
The outside temp sensor decided to tell me it was -7 C outside on Monday night. It was 18C. This was when the A/C was also going nuts.


I'm also wondering if it's possible to swap out the lamps for something less yellow and able to light up the road ahead of me a bit better.



(I'm off to look around and try and find the answers I need on here, but sometimes it's quicker and easier to ask first)
thanks in advance if anyone can answer my questions.

It sounds like you have bought someone's neglected car .

you probably have non genuine volvo brakes hence the noises.

The rattle could be anything, maybe rusty brake back plates falling apart, or non volvo pads rattling in the holder.? or a worn suspension ball joint?

The AC could be low on gas due to a corroded condenser, this is a problem on an older V50.

The temperature sensor is in the left mirror, undo the wiring plug you see when the Left door is fully open and spray it with contact cleaner and work it in and out to clean it, that usually works .

Dull headlamps ... the reflector will be tarnished at the top and possible a cheap bulb and yellowed headlamp cover lens ? volvo do the long life H7 bulb you may need.

[demeaux]

Originally Posted by Clan

It sounds like you have bought someone's neglected car .

you probably have non genuine volvo brakes hence the noises.

I'll get this checked when the mechanic looks at it. Which should rectify the rattle too!

A/C i'll ask the mechanic who they recommend.

[Lancee]

Perhaps keep in mind the now largely forgotten by most, primary function of a car.

That is to get you, and perhaps your friends/acquintances/family/possessions safely from a point A to a point B. The rest is largely superfluous.

For example air conditioning used to mean winding a window down, or even opening a quarterlight !

On balance spend your money where it matters.

[demeaux]

I'm nearly 50 and can remember all sorts of terrible cars and situations.
This is a car to get kids to places and all of us on holidays.

The only _real_ problem is the hot one side/cold the other and the "why is my misty windscreen not clearing as fast as I like".

[Lancee]

Originally Posted by demeaux

I'm nearly 50 and can remember all sorts of terrible cars and situations.
This is a car to get kids to places and all of us on holidays.

The only _real_ problem is the hot one side/cold the other and the "why is my misty windscreen not clearing as fast as I like".

IMHO:

A new pollen filter may help with the demisting until you sort the airconditioning. It's something many owners overlook because it can be a challenge for some to change. Do of course make sure the heating is not in recirculation mode.

The air diverter flaps in the heating system may need resetting (and if not faulty also the outside temperature sensor) to equalise the distribution of air to left and right and the screen etc, but I think you may well need Vida diagnostics for that/these.

In my experience Volvo OE brake parts are usually the least troublesome, most certainly the handbrake shoes in the cars to which they apply (not yours). But you will pay a premium for Volvo parts. Many manage well with pattern parts.

If you intend keeping your Volvo you ideally need Vida diagnostics, it will save you a fortune both now and in the long run, but that's another matter.

[andy_d]

Originally Posted by demeaux

I've recently bought an 04 V50. It's my first car, ever. I've managed to get through nearly all of my adult life without owning a car. Which is a bit mad.

Within a month of owning it I've had an engine warning light come on, which was resolved by fitting a new fuel sensor and then resetting.

I've got new discs on and after a week of driving around listening to them "bed in" and them not "bedding in" it's off to the garage to be looked at (as there's also a passenger side rattle when I go over bumps).

In the last week the A/C has gone from just about working to only throwing out hot air on the passenger side and cold air on the driver side.
It's also very difficult/impossible to get the windscreen to demist.

What should/could I be doing to look at the A/C problem?
Ah yes, also meant to say:
The outside temp sensor decided to tell me it was -7 C outside on Monday night. It was 18C. This was when the A/C was also going nuts.


I'm also wondering if it's possible to swap out the lamps for something less yellow and able to light up the road ahead of me a bit better.

(I'm off to look around and try and find the answers I need on here, but sometimes it's quicker and easier to ask first)
thanks in advance if anyone can answer my questions.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...ight=projector
headlight Possible,
i did it , the projector reflective coating in mine 04 plate was burnt flakey and,, not reflecting
simple swap following the thread ^^ ,, and with Halogen Volvo bulbs in the Dip beams are fine for 50-60mph on Unlighted roads .

outside temp sensor is a simple/easy swap, main dealer for the part,, 20mins and done it is in the passenger side door mirror, that little "bump" on the lower edge , glass out, disconnect the plug, single screw (iirc) , change the sensor + backing plate (All in one) ,, rebuild