Sid:
Thanks for your reply. I'd like your advice if you don't mind. Here's my situation in a nutshell:

My indie mechanic (who is generally pretty good) found that 12.9-13.1 is the charging voltage. I don't know if he measured at the alternator or at the battery. He calls the local Volvo dealer and gets the TSB and part nos.and recommends that I replace the parts. Gives me the TSB and parts nos. at that point.

I take the TSB# and find it on alldata.com under the Volvo section, I chose not to pay their fee to read the whole TSB. Without looking at the parts I blindly order them at the dealer for $75 each. When I recieve the parts I know I'm being extorted by looking at the simplicity of the wires laying there. I called the dealer and I can get most of my $150 back.

I was going to build new cables for $17 in parts but now that I've read your posting I'm rethinking changing the cables.

What would you do?

thanks
Scott