Thanks for the replies.
I purchased a new Volvo battery (was a bit larger than the original). Started fine and so far no problems. I do have one more question as I have gotten different answers. I work fo a small airline and one of the technitions there told me that the electric power when car is running, still has to come from the battery as it acts as a relay also? Ie acts as a buffer for voltage spikes etc. So if the battery is not "holding" a charge it is possible for the car to die when holding still at idle since when driving there is still sufficient voltage to power the car through even very weak battery. . Then again isnt that what a generator does? Ie alternator DOES power electrics, generator only batt???
The old battery was so dead it barely lit up the dash lights, so it probably was barely able to hold a charge.
If the battery is not needed when the car has started does that mean once I have started the car, if I were to open the hood and disconnect the battery it would still run? Anybody ever try this?
Thanks again.