Definitely got something loose if the dash gets cold.

You also probably have a bad evaporator temp sensor -- this shuts off the compressor when the evaporator gets close to freezing,and if bad (open) will cause the cooling to stop until it makes contact again. Its' in the side of the case, accesable after removing the under-dash panel on the driver's side.

Also, if the AC quits and won't come back on until you shut the car off and restart, replace the belt -- if it's slipping, the KLIMA relay will shut the AC off until you restart, this is to protect you from a locked AC compressor ruining the belt and causing severe overheating from no water pump.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!