I've longed for an older Volvo for years and after months of looking locally, I finally got a chance to purchase a beautiful 240DL sedan two months ago in Seattle. Like an idiot, I did not take the time to have it checked by a Volvo mechanic and I have been suffering the consequences since.

Within the first 24 hours, my temp guage went nuts (temp compensating pcb) and my brake lights blew (replaced relay and tailight assembly). After solving these problems, I took my wife for a drive to show off our new baby. At some point, I decided to step on the gas a bit when I was doing about 30mph to see what type of acceleration our brick had. The result of this experiment was getting to see my dash light up all the lower warning lights. When I let off the gas, the lights immediately went out.

I decided to solve this problem by no longer stepping on the gas in the same manner... but a few days later these lights were going on and off seemingly related to acceleration/deceleration. In pretty short order, my battery died. I had it towed home and it's been sitting since.

I've had one mechanic suggest it is my alternator, but the fact that ALL my warning lights went on makes me worry it could be a wiring problem. (At the same time my dash-lights went nuts, my wipers stopped wiping in my mid-wipe.)

I don't have any troubleshooting eqpt. or much experience. I've gotten a ridiculous quote to replace the alternator for $525 from a local service shop.

Suggestions anyone?

If it is the alternator, I have the following questions...

What size metric wrenches / sockets are needed to pull the fan blade and remove/install alternator?

Are the nuts that hold the fan blade "reverse threaded" (left to tighten, right to loosen)versus normal nuts and bolts?

Thanks for your help! I am trying to keep the faith in my brick but is getting harder. On the plus side, the engine has always fired right up and it seems to run very well on the road.