Hey guys I’m having trouble with my 88 volvo 245 wagon. I just changed the intank fuel pump yesterday to the ipd upgraded fuel pump because mine wasn’t working. Everything went fine from what I know pretty simple hook ups can’t really mess them up, one ground in the trunk. And drove it, it started right up, drove fine. Drove it again later that night and my voltage meter started reading a little low and as I was driving my radio and cigarette lighter started shutting off and back on, then completely off, then all dash lights and headlights started dimming to completely going off. But my car was still running. Sounds like the altanator but what’s the chance that happened to go right after I mess with the in tank pump. Also I changed out the altanator brushes maybe 2 years ago but I haven’t checked them since this happened last night. Thanks for the help.

don't know what kind of driving U do, but in my '87 I wore out the brushes down to the nub, that left me undexpectedly stranded --- after 30K Miles HIGHWAY miles on the Regulator/Brush unit (new). Cassette Radio shut down on the hiway...etc.

Check the brushes first. Older Slip Rings - the surface that the Brushes ride on get scored/pitted and wear out the brushes faster than U wud expect

No I didn’t disconnect the battery before but there is no power running to the in tank pump if the cars off. But just checked the brushes and yea they did end up wearing down quicker then I thought.

Did you disconnect the battery when you changed the pump?

If not - -tisk,tisk, tisk - if you did, check that.

Hi,

I think the logical thing would be to think the alternator or at least the connections like battery cables.
A loose or corroded ground cable would be my first place to check out.

A voltmeter bouncing around or the headlights flickering on you in front of a garage door is also a good sign of again connections or the brushes under the voltage regulator.
The condition of the slip rings might be causing the brushes to bounce.
Have you noticed this happening at driving speeds?

I don’t know how many sets of brushes can be run on the same rotor before you have to replace the slip rings as they do wear out or through to the inside. Grooves get deep and dry patches show up in the bottom.

A place to look these up for your car is here: https://www.aspwholesale.com/slip-ring-bo-p919.html
I have been wanting to buy a bunch of stuff from them since I have a back log alternators on my bench. Just seems I keep putting other priorities ahead of having the fun to play with them.


The amperage that the in-tank motor should be able to draw would never cause those symptoms.
Besides that circuit is fused.

As far as this happening at the same time you replaced the pump, is not unusual if you think about it, so why not? Its gotta do it sometime!

The opposite ends of the car are like a magnet, they can attract an aware mechanical owner at any time! (-:)

Phil