Volvo: Volvo Air Conditioning, laymans terms, freon

Question
Ray,
I have a '97 850 T-5.  The air conditioning unit does not cool and hasn't for a few years.  I've had the system charged and it did not make a difference.  The recycle light has never flashed, that I've noticed anyway.  Is there something I can do to rectify this problem?  I am not mechanically inclined so something in laymans terms would be more helpful.  Thanks!  It's hot up here!  Al  

Answer
Al,
There are more things to inspect during a diagnosis of the A/C system, not just charging the system. Take the car to someone that can inspect and read codes and knows how the system works. All in all leaks in the system can be fixed and if power is not going to the compressor that can be fixed also.
What I would do if the car came to me was read and record and codes, see if there is any freon in the system, see if the power is flowing to the compressor, if it is then I would see if it cools and how well. At that time I would recycle and recharge the sysytem with the proper amount of freon adding oil with a tracer dye. Then I would see if the system continue to cool by letting you take and drive the car and keep track and let me know how well it works and if things go wrong when, how, during what conditions do things go bad. So that being said you need someone that KNOWS how to check the system, and advise you what to do.