I bought my S-70 in the fall of 2004 that had like 83,000 miles on it. It now has 138,000. In the interim, I've replaced the front struts, rear shocks, the turbo oil hoses, all four rotors and pads and the CV boots. I also had to have my rack and pinon steering box replaced. Now my alternator has failed and my ABS/Trac idiot light comes on and then goes off. A Volvo mechanic said to forget about the ABS/Trac light since the ABS is working fine and the sensor would cost over $400.

I guess my question is this: Is this typical repairs for a S-70 with it's current mileage? What are other problems that can occur on down the line? I had a Toyota once and when I finally wrecked it, it had almost 200,000 miles and I never did anything to it except the normal maintenance.

Thanks.

Dano

Should be about time for the A/C condensor to go, the front bearing hubs, your door and window switches, and the air pump. Newer Volvos will last as long as your supply of money.

Not untypical for a Volvo, but your Toyota probably needed shocks all around and the steering was probably a little loose.
The alternator failing is premature by about 70K miles. The ABS is a $150 fix by Vic Rocha. Search his name on this site. Your mechanic is wrong, when the ABS light comes on the ABS will not work. Your brakes are fine, however.
I would look for a used alternator.

Klaus
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1975 164 w/174,800mi (Sold) 1995 850T w/91,000mi, 1998 V70R w/129,000mi

Hey thanks for your support. I found a guy who is willing to take my alternator off and have it repaired at a alternator and starter repair shop and only charge me 1.1 hours to R & R the alternator. He said I should get out for under $200.

My Volvo has the winter package on it. I bought it when I lived in Florida. Anyway, it appears that my cooling fan runs constantly and thus I don't get warm or hot air. The temp gauge is normal. I'm living in Oklahoma now and I'm working on my fourth winter storm. I need warm air. Do you think this is related to the alternator failure and my electrical system running of the battery?

Sorry about the $200 alt repair bill, but it should be as good as new.

No, I don't think this problem has any relationship to the engine fan running all of the time.
Go to this thread: http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=1100455

and read the response by Rule308. That should get you started and finished with the cooling fan. If the fan checks out OK, there are other things. Like the engine coolant thermostat/sensor or the thermostat which typically fails around 130K.

At least you have heated seats :)

Klaus
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1975 164 w/174,800mi (Sold) 1995 850T w/91,000mi, 1998 V70R w/129,000mi

Klaus:

Many thanks for your support. I of course really don't know you, but your simple postings to my messages have given me great englightenment concerning certain Volvo badges.

I just read a book where Bob Woodard claimed that General Powell during the first Gulf War, when he was Chairman of JCS, was called on a weekend on an important national security matter. According to the author, General Powell was working on his Volvo. I suspect it was something like a 444 or a 544, who really knows. Maybe it was a 1800 or a 1900?

After going to great lenghts, I finally got my alternator repaired the old-fashioned way, actually R&I to a machine shop where they repaired the unit, even spray painting the core's exterior.

The mechanic propery diansosed my heating problems as simply being a thermostart hanging open. Since I bought my Volvo, I was worried about A/C problems living in south Florida. I never thought about living in a cold weather envirnoment where heat was so important, even though my S-70 has the winter package.

I soon as I get a job, I'll certainly be making a donation to this message board!

Thanks so much!

Dano

When General Powell was stationed in Europe he had an old BMW which he fixed up and drove everywhere. His commuter car. He brought it back to the USA and painted it white - with latex paint and a brush!
Yes he now has a 144. He loves to tinker and drive fast around corners!

Klaus
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1975 164 w/174,800mi (Sold) 1995 850T w/91,000mi, 1998 V70R w/129,000mi