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Hi all,
Nice to see all the new stuff on the board. I just wish the replies were all listed under each parent topic as they were long ago, but nothing is perfect.
I have a strange problem (to me) and I was wondering if anyone has any experience in this matter. My 1985 245 turbo occasionally would light up all of the red warning lights under the main instrument cluster (speedo/tach etc..) as well as show a drop in voltage (the voltage gauge would drop into the red, 9 volts? or so). It was very hard to pinpoint why. I assumed (but you know what assuming is known for) that either a "bump" from the road caused a loose wire, or perhaps a relay or wire was overheating. All fuses look good and have been cleaned and replaced. About 6 months ago this happened. I replaced the battery and my friend at "German Car" in Pomona installed a rebuilt Bosch alternator and voltage regulator (it looks all new). I know that Volvos aren't German, but I trust this guy. Previously, I had replaced and re-wired the main fuel pump relay, due to it's overheating. I was careful to do a professional job. (It's very warm now, but not nearly as hot as it used to be.)
Anyhoo, I noticed that the "ghost lights" again shortly afterwards, and returned the car to him. By the time I got there, it was back to normal. He tested the alternator output, checked the belt and the ground from the alternator and the battery, but could find nothing. We were puzzled.
Tonight, as my wife and I drove to the store, the "ghost lights" came on again, and shortly thereafter, the car died. I assume the battery was not getting charged properly for whatever reason and the motor was only running off of the battery. I jumped the car with mine to save a tow, and now it sits in my garage. I have a digital multimeter I purchased from IPD, but am not sure what setting to use to search for a short or a drain. I also have a Bentley manual. I am pretty good with repairs on VW, BMW and Volvo, but fall short when it comes to electrical troubleshooting. I plan on attending UTI Technical in December (in Rancho Cuccamonga), but that will not help me now. My first love are BMW's (sorry, but Volvos are a close second) and I don't think it's too late to pursue my love in life (at 31). Also, I can finally leave Costco after 13 yrs.......... I know, I'm rambling.
I'm really on a tight budget (who isn't), so I am trying to repair this by myself without asking the help of my friend (I hate to bother him again). My Bentley manual has no troubleshooting table for the charging system, it just says to check for current draw, and then to check each component, without going into much further detail. I can "jump it"
now, and it will run for as long as the battery will let it, but that's about it.
Please advise "Bricksters",
Ted (Bundy) Y.
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