I own a 1992 Volvo GL. It was working great until this morning. We got a sudden cold snap here in Chicago. This morning, the battery light and many of the other indicator lights on the dash started coming on intermittently (Including the ABS light, brake light, etc.). I managed to get to school and back (14 miles one way), and park. When revving really high, the indicator lights sometime go off, as though all is well.

I just tested the battery with my voltmeter, and it read 12.38 volts. When I started the car and tested the battery, it read 11.5 volts or so. That is not good! The alternator is not charging the battery!!

I checked the wires connected to the alternator, cleaned them, and did the same to the battery terminal connections. All tight and clean. Still same problem.

Could the fact that I gave a jump start to a friend's Volvo yesterday, in the cold snap, have done something to my alternator? If so, what's the likely problem?

I don't have access to a warm garage, so if I DO need to go to a professional to get it fixed, does anyone know of a good, honest, reasonable Volvo mechanic on the North Side of Chicago, Lakeview (near Wrigley Field)?

Thanks in advance, Brickboarders. You've saved me before...