The car's alternator is not charging the battery (alternator has been tested and is fine). The instrument panel's gauges are not functioning either, and the overdrive light now comes on when overdrive is not engaged and light turns off when it is engaged. This all started at -45 in Interior Alaska. The guess is electrical and that it's all connected to the same problem. Any ideas???

Thanks from Larisa's backyard mechanic. After many hours, we found the problem. It ended up being a burned up strip on the circuit board in back of the instrument panel from the blue-red hot wire connecting to the board. I was able to jumper across it with several screws and a wire, and now everything works just fine!

Larissa,

My 240 is doing exactly the same thing. A reputable source of information tells me the wiring is defective. (it's a volvo thing). He suggested running a wire from the the red excite wire of the alternator to the red wire in the wiring plug at the fire wall and see if that makes it all work. If it does, one either needs to trace that wire all the way through the harness and find the break, or, run a new wire along the fender and into the harness. I haven't had time to do this as of yet, but it might be a place to start. And my battery as well as the alternator are working.

Leonard

Larissa -

If that red wire does NOT make connection to the back of the alternator, what one gets is what you got: No warning lights and no charging. the connector on the wire at the alternator gets weak and in -45 degrees it may loose contact.

The oil pressure light is differently wired, is yours working OK? Comes on when key hits position II and goes out when the engine has started?

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Larissa: other than moving to Florida (sorry, couldn't help myself...): how do you know that the alternator is 'fine?' How was it tested? Did they check to see that the belt is good, tight enough (and not too-tight), etc.? Next: what about the battery, and cables, and ground? -45 is a helluva strain on ANYTHING, much less a car, its oil and fuel and rad fluid: is it worth investing in a high-CCA battery each winter? IF that's the problem, it sounds like a cheap/easy enough fix. Have you checked the battery for fluid? cracked cell(s)? corroded power stage? (very common thread these last few weeks).
Have you considered HIBERNATION as an alternative? Good Luck, amiga.--PD.

On 740s (and maybe 240s as well), the instrument panel needs to be connected for the alternator to charge....soo...like someone else said already, a ground is likely, or maybe a connector has come loose.

Move to Florida? :>)

Sounds like a ground problem. Metal contracts as it cools. The ground connections are behind the driver and passenger side kick panels.
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Warren Bain - '86 744Ti M46 >282Kmi, '96 965 >97Kmi Wifemobile near Manassas Va