# A/C Instantly went hot, then cold, then HOT!

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-instantly-went-hot-then-cold-then-hot/66934>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 7, 2011, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-instantly-went-hot-then-cold-then-hot/66934 "2011-08-07T22:41:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ginaup718](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@ginaup718](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ginaup718)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-instantly-went-hot-then-cold-then-hot/66934/1 "2011-08-07T22:41:48Z")

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I have a 1998 Volvo S90. I usually have to charge the a/c once a year to keep it cold. Today while driving the a/c went from cold to hot almost instantly. I turned it off, waited a minute and turned it back on. Cold just like normal. Two minutes later, hot air again. Turned it off again, waited a few minutes, turned it on, cold air but only for about 30 seconds. This was all done while driving. Any suggestions on what might be causing this?

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**Author:** ![03impreza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/0/51bf81/32.png) [@03impreza](https://community.cartalk.com/u/03impreza)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-instantly-went-hot-then-cold-then-hot/66934/2 "2011-08-08T00:20:44Z")

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I’d take a look at the vacuum connections from the engine to the dash controls. Providing, of course, that it is a vacuum controlled system.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-c-instantly-went-hot-then-cold-then-hot/66934/3 "2011-08-08T00:57:57Z")

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You shouldn’t have to recharge it every year. It means there’s a leak, which should be found and fixed. Until you do that everything else is a waste of time and money.

Since I have neither the specialized equipment nor the expertise for automotive AC work, whenever I have a problem with the AC in my vehicles I take them to a shop with the necessary equipment and expertise.

I suggest you do the same.