Good evening all,

Today when I started my 90 240 it sounded like a weak start up.
Next couple of times I started it up it was normal.

Then the car would not start up this afternoon.

After getting a boost from a friend I drove the 240 over to the
auto parts store so that they could hook it up to their computer
to determine if it was the battery or the alternator.

The service person informed me that my alternator is putting out
over 90 amps when it should only be about 70 amps. and that I may
have a short or wire problem somewhere.

Where should I start and what should I look for?

Thanks again fellow Volvo People.

Joseph Segura

Howdy Joseph,

When the fellow over at the auto parts house told you about a short "somewhere" did he test the battery for a shorted cell? Given the symptoms you've reported here, that is where I would start looking.

Has the battery been load tested?

--
Mr. Shannon DeWolfe -- I've taken to using mister because my name misleads folks on the WWW. I am a 53 year old fat man. ;-)

Hello Dewolfe,
The parts guy hooked up the shop computer and said the battery
is fine and that the alternator is giving out 94 amps as opposed
to the 70 it should and that there seems to be a short in/on
the alternator.

This morning I checked my wiring and found the ground behind the
alternator was coming apart, the sleeve was missing about an inch
of plastic and the wire was frayed. I removed the alternator for
ease of access and replaced the wiring.
When I went to start her up I needed a jump and while attempting to
jump the car it seemed to be sucking quite a bit of the power from the
jumper car, but she would not start.

I checked my wiring and connections and all seemed well. I jumped her
again and she started right up. While out for a drive the car seems
to idle rough, while at red lights or stop signs it revs up a little
then comes back down then repeats until I take off.

I think I have fixed the short. Now concerned with the rough idle.

Yesterday I cleaned the throttle body and the breather (boy was she
full of gunk), changed plugs, distributor cap, rotor and oil. I also
put heat-sink on the power amplifier because she was stalling on hot
days.

Tomorrow I will put in a new intank fuel pump and fuel filter.
(she is stalling in hot weather 95 plus days).

Any advice on the reving that I am experiencing.....

Joseph in New Mexico

Just drove home and on the way I stopped at repair shop and
they hooked her up to the testing machine again and the
alternator is sending out 14 volts, they say she should be
sending out about 12-13 volts. They also informed me that
my batttery needs a changing.
She won't hold a charge, so it is time for a new battery.

Thanks and if anything changes I will update this post.

Joseph in New Mexico