I was wondering if anyone could help me out with this. I just tried a four hour road trip in my 1989 740 gl wagon, and it didn't work out so well. As i was three hours into it, the car started acting up. As I turned on my turn indicators to change lanes, the radio would die. As soon as the indicators were turned off the radio would pop back on. Sounds like a Alt/Bat issue so far. I continue driving hoping to be able to make it the final 60 miles. 10 miles later my car starts to hesitate and slowly lose power as if it was running out of fuel. i was lucky enough to coast into a rest stop and it died completely as i was pulling into the parking space. I tried to start the engine, and nothing...no clicking from the starter or anything. still sounds like an Alt/Bat issue. When I checked the lights they looked as good as an 89 volvo's should, and all the warning lights on the dash seemed to work fine. Plus the alt/bat light never came on. Had it towed to a shop, they charged the bat a bit, it started right up, and they checked to see that the alt was charging the battery which is was. i decided to risk it and head off down the road only to have the same thing happen two blocks from my destination. i can jump the battery, and it will run for a bit and die. It is the alternator you say. A similar event happened last time i took her for a long trip. Drove down the 5 in Cali in 110 degree heat, and she quit just like what happened above. i coasted underneath an overpass, and waited two hours for a tow truck (never showed) then tried one last time to start it. it worked and i drove it to a repair shop, they weren't able to duplicate it, and i drove it for three years without issue. could it be some sort of solenoid issue? i don't want to replace $300 dollars worth of alt/bat and have it turn out to be a $20 part. Anyway to test it? Could it also be that the battery cables are worn through somewhere? I've heard that is a recurring problem with the 740.
sorry so long winded-thanks