We have an old 1981 240DL wagon that has run beautifully the last few years-- but I fear it has reached its end.

6 months ago, the alternator went. I replaced it myself but the new one only lasted 3 months-- during a roadtrip the battery light didn't come on at startup, and 2 days later, in the middle of North Dakota, it was dead. It might have been my fault because you're apparently supposed to fully charge the battery after changing the alternator-- I didn't know that.

However, the second alternator was put in by the Volvo dealer in Billings, MT, and now another 3 months later, the battery light is out again: I'm assuming I've got 2 days and the car will die again.

Is it really possible to be so unlucky as to burn through an alternator and then get 2 dud replacements in a row, or is the car likely doing something that is frying these things? I am not knowledgeable enough-- and we can't afford to pay anyone-- to poke around to try to find some kind of wiring/ electrical fault. If the alternator dies again, I think this is it!

Thanks for any advice/ similar experiences.