Volvo XC90 Driver Side AC Not Working- Causes And Solutions

Whether it’s a Volvo 2006 XC90 or a 2024 XC90, you can come across a problem where your AC vents won’t be blowing cold air or not blowing enough air. So many people including myself have faced this issue of one side of AC not working in my XC90. So, Why is your Volvo XC90 driver side AC not working?

The most common cause of Volvo XC90 driver-side AC not working is low refrigerant or Freon level. This causes the pressure to fall and the AC on one side stops working. Other causes include faults in the Blend door actuator, stuck flaps, dirty evaporator, faulty AQS sensor, or problems in the blower motor.

While some of these problems can be fixed by DIY methods, others require replacement of parts by a professional. Stay with me as I explain to you the causes and solutions of these issues.

8 Possible Causes – Why Volvo XC90 Driver Side AC Not Working

As I’ve mentioned earlier, there can be multiple reasons behind this issue. If your driver-side AC is not working, any part of the air conditioning system can be the culprit. So, a thorough investigation of the whole system will help you diagnose the issue.

Since I’m a professional mechanic and have come across this issue multiple times, here are the most common causes of one side of the AC not working and the solutions.

1. Low Refrigerant Pressure Can Be The Cause

Refrigerants or Freon keep the air conditioning going on. The refrigerants leak through various routes from the cooling system. So, low refrigerant pressure can cause the driver-side AC to not work in your Volvo XC90.

Usually, there is a normal leaking of refrigerants in every vehicle. It causes a pressure drop of 5 psi every year. Especially, the AC lines going to the evaporator at the rear firewall of the engine are the main route of the leak.

How To Check Your Volvo XC90 Refrigerant Level

In every model of Volvo running on the R-134 system, the only way to check your refrigerant level is by evacuating all of it.

So, at first, remove all refrigerant and then do a vacuum leak test.

How To Fix Low Refrigerant Issues

The easiest fix to this issue is refilling the refrigerants. You have to fill between 28 and 30 ounces of refrigerant depending on the capacity of your car.

But sometimes filling the refrigerants doesn’t solve the issue. Any leak in the air pipes will cause the refrigerants to leak again. So, fix the leakages first and refill the refrigerant.

2. Faulty Blend Door Actuator

This is one of the most common causes of driver-side AC not working. In the case of Dual climate unit ACs, there is a door actuator which is actually a door inside the ducts. It closes or opens depending on the temperature set in the system and mixes the air that comes from the outside or from the inside of the car with the refrigerants.

If the actuator has any issues, it’ll be stuck and the driver-side AC will most probably blow warm air while the passenger side will vent cold air.

Electric motors control the door and you have to diagnose the problem with a fault code.

How To Diagnose A Bend Door Actuator Problem

If you’re having a problem where the driver side of the AC is not working, you have to diagnose it with a special tool. In this case, Vida will be the best option.

It’s pretty simple in Vida,

• Select Vehicle Communication
• Go to the Advanced tab
• All the door problems will be found here

You can also diagnose the problem by the clicking sound of the AC when you try to change the temperature to max.

Replace The Bend Door Actuator Without Any Professional Help

You can easily replace the Bend door actuator by following these steps:

• The actuator is located on the driver’s side, above the accelerator pedal, and with the heater box sometimes.
• Take the glove box off
• Disconnect the wiring harnesses and bolts. Take out the actuator.
• Align the new actuator in place.
• Push it into the right position.
• Tightly place the bolts into position and connect the wires
• Now check if the actuator is working by changing the temperature.
• Close the glove box.

3. Fault In Temperature Sensor And AQS Sensor

Any fault in the temperature sensor or the AQS sensor will cause the Driver-side AC to not work properly in your Volvo XC90.

The AQS sensor in the scuttle air intake can be replaced at home.

• Remove the scuttle and wiper arms.
• You’ll be able to locate the sensor there.
• Just take it out and replace it with a new one.

This works like a wonder in the case of many people. Give it a try if the above solutions don’t work for you.

4. Accumulation Of Dirt In The Evaporator Will Cause This Issue

Sometimes, dirt and pollutants escape the air filters and get into the evaporator. When dust and other particles accumulate on the evaporator, It’s likely that the AC on either side of the Volvo will fail to function properly.

To solve this issue, you might need to take your car to a professional as it’s quite tricky to open the evaporator and clean it.

5. Broken Vent Door

Like the blend door actuator, the vent door is also an important part of directing air flow to one side of the car. The vent door is placed inside the heater box. It helps the airflow from the evaporator core and blower motor to enter the cabin.

If the door is jammed or stuck, cold airflow will be hampered. If you suspect a jammed vent door, take your car to a specialist.

6. HVAC System Malfunction

Sometimes the HVAC system can malfunction. The HVAC module is important to detect the blend door actuator’s position. When you keep your battery disconnected for a long time, this issue can occur.

To fix this issue, just disconnect the negative connection of the battery for 5-1o minutes and the system will sometimes reset automatically.

7. Worn Out Blower Motor

A blower motor is an important part of your Volvo XC90 air conditioning system. If the blower motor is worn out or broken, it won’t be able to blow cold air into the cabin. In that case, you might experience noise coming out of the motor. But, sometimes the motor is not the one to blame but the fuse.

The only solution to this problem is replacing the motor with a new one.

8. Any Problem With The Condenser

A condenser helps to release the heat produced by the AC to be released into the environment. It’s located in the front of the car.

If the condenser is clogged with dust, dirt, or any particle, it’ll hamper the air conditioning of the whole car. So, if your Volvo XC90’s driver side AC is not working, you might need to check the condenser.

Conclusion

Volvo cars usually have a very integrated and dependable air conditioning system. It’s really unfortunate for you to face the Volvo XC90 driver side AC not working issue. But, the good news is that it’s fixable and the fix doesn’t require much money or professional help.

A proper diagnosis is what you have to make sure first. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if needed.

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