We replaced alternator with 80 amp unit (twice) and replaced the battery but I got stuck yeseterday - died on a freeway exit ramp stop light. had to be towed home.
I charged the battery at home, and it started fine - what could be caused this problem? regards, John
Hi John, when you say that you replaced the alternator twice, the alternators that you are installing, are they rebuilt?, did you measure the voltage out of the alternator with load on ( headlights on, rear defroster on, and fan blowing?) the voltage at the battery should be around 14.0 Volts. Check for ground wire from the alternator case to chassis, and from -batt to chassis. When the alternator failed, did you see all the warning lights except for oil pressure on? Please measure the voltage, check your wires and lights and post again.
Arnold
yes, alternators were rebuit and tested before we bought.
alt case has good ground.
when it failed sunday, I didnt notice any lights on the dash - not even oil pressure.
tonight before I started the motor, the only light i noticed was seatbelt and oil pressure.
I think my brother broke a water temp sender wire when he put the alt in.
charger ws on 2amps automatic charge for 2 days prior to test, then drove around the block.
battery volts at rest is 12.78 appx.
battery volts when running 12.5 appx.
battery volts when running with lights on 12.3 appx.
didn't get to check alt output as the rains came. will do friday and let you know. john
Test the system to see if you are drawing current while it is off. Then, check the fuse block with a multimeter.
My automatic door lock relay went south and suddenly it was drawing a full amp all the time(all four doors trying to engage all the time).
Disconnected the relay(manual locks now-no big loss) and everything worked perfectly.
now that I think of it, I wonder if the dash bulb is burned out for the battery/alternator indicator. I don't see it on when I turn the key to run with the engine off. john
You're on to something there John. The only time I've ever been stranded in a Volvo was because I didn't notice the alternator light was not coming on with the key in the run position before starting the motor. In my case it was a failed voltage regulator with plenty of brushes but bad internals. With a new alternator your issue is more likely the bulb or the small exciter wire to the alternator as Arnold described. How is the engine harness on your car, any flaking insulation as was so common on the '80-87 Volvos? \ Good luck tracking it down, you are on the right track. Dave Shannon snipped-for-privacy@cox.net (Spring Valley CA)
1988 240 DL 18X,XXX 1985 240 Ti 20X,XXX 1984 245 DL 20X,XXX 1984 245T 19X,XXX '01 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 10KMotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.