Retrofitting air conditioning

[Matthew]

Just how much of a nightmare would it be to retrofit air conditioning to my 900? Would the cost be prohibitive?

I'm thinking "big nightmare" and "yes" to each of those questions, respectively.

[Armando]

Hi Matthew,

just a list of items you need in order to confirm your thought (and I can possibly forget some of):

A/C radiator
Evaporator
Condenser
Compressor
Expansion Valve
Additonal pulley
Hoses
A/C cutout switch (together with the T pipe is nearly 120 Euro OE in Italy)
A/C switch
Relays
Additional Raditor Fun (if not already installed)

Just the idea to start installing all of these items makes me freezing

I don't want to think about the expense. Hope the above will convince you to give up.

Armando

[bunny hopper]

That list sounds about right . . .

Is it just me or do Saabs have the weakest A/C ever? Everyone I know with a c900 has had their A/C broken for as long as they can remember!

Probably cheaper to put in a sunroon if you don't already have! :wink:

[Matthew]

Thanks for the replies folks.... 'fink I'll knock this idea on the head pronto.

On a car already equipped with air con, I wonder if it's feasible to upgrade that to a more modern system from a newer Saab... (probably not )

[Alex]

You also need the wiring loom if not already present on the car, the flap to close the cold air intake when switching to recirc mode (plus motor) and the upper water pipe with relocated thermo switch.

Oh, and the cost for someone to charge the system up and check for leaks.

[moberle]

Originally Posted by bunny hopper

That list sounds about right . . .

Is it just me or do Saabs have the weakest A/C ever? Everyone I know with a c900 has had their A/C broken for as long as they can remember!

Probably cheaper to put in a sunroon if you don't already have! :wink:

The A/C in my car rocks. And I live in Arizona (HOT).

I have recently been considering retrofitting a newer compressor that puts a bit less load on the engine.

[Matthew]

This idea is still rattling around in my head.

There's an independent Saab garage in the South West who'll retro fit air conditioning to a C900 for £600. £350 for the kit, and £250 for fitting. Probably plus VAT.

Does that sound reasonable?

[Jim Mesthene]

That sounds like it's about right.
In 1984 a kit cost about $1000 and took 5-8 hours (depending on how many you'd done) to install on a new car.

[Matthew]

Is the retro-fit a difficult/nasty/tedious job?

[sonett v4]

I am sure somebody with as much spare time as yourself will find it a doddle
Not too sure about the dodgy south west specialist though

[900t]

Originally Posted by Matthew

This idea is still rattling around in my head.

There's an independent Saab garage in the South West who'll retro fit air conditioning to a C900 for £600. £350 for the kit, and £250 for fitting. Probably plus VAT.

Does that sound reasonable?

But will it work?

And also... just take a vacation to the USA or something, heck, I'd give you a complete aircon kit, just pull it out of the car

[Matthew]

Are you going to Sweden?

[Jim Mesthene]

Originally Posted by Matthew

Is the retro-fit a difficult/nasty/tedious job?

I've only done it on new cars, with a new kit.
It was tedious, but straightforward.
With all new parts on a new car, they always worked perfectly.

[arouch]

Originally Posted by bunny hopper

That list sounds about right . . .

Is it just me or do Saabs have the weakest A/C ever? Everyone I know with a c900 has had their A/C broken for as long as they can remember!

Probably cheaper to put in a sunroon if you don't already have! :wink:

I don't think there is a problem with the A/C capacity, but the air distribution inside the SAAB sure sucks, however this seems to be a generic problem with European cars, they are just not designed with hot weather in mind (or at least, not in the 70's, 80's and 90's).

Occupant comfort in car to a large degree depends on moving large amounts of air to achieve the number of air changes required for a vehicle in full sun. This means having a large surface area for the air vents to keep the air velocity down to reduce noise, and the C900 dash doesn't have anywhere enough vent area.

Having said that, my A/C works fine to achieve comfort, it is just noisy in the cabin. Good thing I have a vert as you are already used to the noise level, but when I drive my Mercedes ML I have to check the tacho to see if the engine is running

[misu]

Originally Posted by Matthew

Just how much of a nightmare would it be to retrofit air conditioning to my 900? Would the cost be prohibitive?

I'm thinking "big nightmare" and "yes" to each of those questions, respectively.

Do not worry about this job. It is easy, easier, than it looks. I did it a couple of years ago for my '89 9000 without any major troubles. And C900 is even easier. And if you have an idea to fit some modern ACC system, it is even better. The fact, that someone else is thinking at the same way as me strats me thinking about it once again, even I already decided not to do that. I was thinking about retrofitting 9000 ACC system into my C900, but because it is convertible, it is not so important to have inteligent ACC system there. The whole AC system is practically useless, because when is hot, you will open top (why you have a convertible...). But there were AC at the past, so I will keep it on its place (maybe I will change my mind yet...).
How to fit 9000 ACC into C900? That's a question. First You have to find a suitable place for control unit. It is 1 1/2 DIN (I think), so mybe remove an old ventilation knobs and make a big hole under radio opening... Try to measure it.
Now I have to go, but I will return after cca. two hours...

[tdc-saab]

I was pondering this problem as well. In 95 degree heat and high humidity, the top stays on and the ac is just adequate. It stops blowing cold when the car is stationary.( At least mine does) I remember the 92 9000 had a second condensor in the back and I was considering if it was possible to add a second condensor and fan in the central storage bin, run the lines through the unused steering access and join then together with couplings from the 92 9000. Then cover everything with two black directional vents. Possible?

Tom

[900t]

IMO you are best with just getting both fans to operate with A/C on. This will improve performance at the condenser. With a second unit you are really just making more problems.

You may have a weak charge in the system, may need more gas!

[Rodentmaster]

Originally Posted by bunny hopper

That list sounds about right . . .

Is it just me or do Saabs have the weakest A/C ever? Everyone I know with a c900 has had their A/C broken for as long as they can remember!

Probably cheaper to put in a sunroon if you don't already have! :wink:

I tend think that the C900, and maybe any SAAB really, is a warm car, as in, the materials used are very cosy and warmth related. So when the car is exposed to heat, say in Australia here, the warth retention really works and then makes the A/C seem ineffective etc.. Once the heat soak is neutralised the A/C in my car is more than adequate. I think tinted windows definately helps too.

[misu]

Ok, I am back again...

let's leave question of fitting 9000 ACC, it is for Tuning section, and speak about fitting original AC system into C900.
When You look on the list from Armando, You need also recirculation flap, together with its vacuum servo, solenoid for this servo and thermostat.
First point should be check of wiring, because to make a new wiring is the hardest part of the job.
Start at the switcher row, remove twoo blank covers and try to find two connectors, one is for AC switch, second is for recirculation flap. They should be wired at this order:
AC switch:
Terminal 4 - yelow/red (two wires, one of them goes into term. 7)
Terminal 5 - black (two wires)
Terminal 7 - yelow/red (two wires, one of them goes into term. 4)
Terminal 8 - blue

Recirculation switch:
Terminal 4 - yelow/red (two wires, one of them goes into term. 7)
Terminal 5 - black
Terminal 7 - yelow/red (two wires, one of them goes into term. 4)
Terminal 8 - grey

Next check is wiring for recirculation solenoid. You should find wires near ventilation air intake, for GB cars at drivers side... One of them is grey (from recirc. switch term. 8), second one is black (earth).
There should be also next two wires, for thermostatic switch. They are blue/white and green/white.

Sorry, but I have to go away again, so later... maybe someone else will continue sooner then me.

[woywitka]

the ventalation system in the c900 is outstanding. The air volume excahnge is 100litres per minute at fan setting 1 when all duct seals are in good working order.The A/C system in the c900 is just too weak for r134A, something lese is needed. I have r134a in my blue car and I used ot say it worked great but it isn't amazing. IN moderated Vancouver is is fine, in California it is a little hard to use. Plus the power drain on r134a is just ridiculous, r-12 is THE GAS TO HAVE! however r-12 makes holes in the ozone, some people disregard this and say "so what", shame on you people, please stop depleting our ozone. we need to dispose of the gas and use something else. who knows what tho....

does a 1993 c900 or 1994 c900 vert use a factory r134a? 9000 went r134a iun 1992. I wonder if the later c900s had it?-then that would be the system to have.

A Saab without A/C is just worng, it isn't an economy car, it needs ot be working to enjoy the way the car was meant to be! plus the defogg on rainy days is awsome!