Uncle LeChuck,

A brickboard search of your symptoms, using the brickboard search or searching brickboard through google, would yield:

- Alternator-water pump-crank pulley belts are too loose (though the alternator needs very little belt tension to spin).
- Alternator brushes are worn down and require replacement. Your Bosch brand brushes only on your Bosch alternator. (I guess you could have an SEV Marchal alternator considering your year. Use OEM brushes for your alternator make and model.)
- The diode rectifier pack in the alternator is failing or as failed.
- The voltage regulator (located either near the coolant expansion reservoir or in your alternator) is failing or has failed.

The last two items require alternator rebuild or replacement; unless your 1984 240 has the external voltage regulator located near the coolant expansion reservoir.

Almost certainly your 1984 Volvo has a replaced alternator. Verify the alternator spins freely and quietly.

Running your battery down repeatedly can kill it even if it is new.

And you did purchase your own Volvo 240 service manual, yes? Bentley is best as is the host of green Volvo OEM 240 manual. A distant third is the Haynes 240 service manual. And then you have Chilton's and on down from there.

As another brickboard member signs off with:

Good luck, Chuck.

cheers,

MacDuff.
--
Buttermilk.