Several years ago I replaced two alternators - The one in our '90 744TI siezed and the one in our '88 745 GLE had gone south in Michigan (a good story, I'll tell it at the end of this post)

Both alternators failed at almost exactly 215K miles.

I got a 100 amp unit at a Volvo specialist junkyard for $30 - It was guaranteed for 1 year - It was still performing well at 275K miles. It had 110K miles on it when I got it - the junk yard guy told me he had 15 of them and they usually lasted to 200K.

I suggest a junk yard 100 amp alternator.



Now a nice story - My daughter was traveling from Massachusetts to Edmonton Alberta to work for Ducks Unlimited as a wildlife biologist. Her lights dimmed on a Saturday night in Michigan - she pulled into a rest area and the car stalled.

Her phone was dead as it had been plugged in to charge. A couple a the rest area let her use their phone to call AAA

The operator of the tow took her car to his garage and let her call us on his phone, then he took her to a motel.

Sunday morning he had his friend open his auto electric shop and the alternator got new brushes - he did not have Volvo brushes, so he cut down some larger ones.

She was on the road again by noon!

The 7/940 cars have more electrical accessories fitted as standard equipments. These are electric radiator fan, bigger blower motor, heated seats and side mirrors, ABS and front foglights. The 2 speed radiator fan could use up to 50A of power. You'd need typical alternator power of 80 to 100A. Some cars even has 120A installed (ok maybe thats for 960). If your 7/940 still uses mechanical fan, heater only no AC, no heated seats then maybe you could get away using 240 alternator. The 240 alternator in the photo looks like Bosch K1 series with external fan. Having max typical output of 55 to 65A.

Another mechanical aspect to consider is the front-back length of alternator, see if it hits the AC pipes above the compressor when installed (if car has AC).

Hope these helps,
Amarin