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Hi Jen -
You're more like a brickhead than you thought: Most of us work on our own cars from love and/necessity. Only on RWD Volvos. AFAIK
Couple things. The battery light and others coming on when driving is a clue that your alternator brushes are worn too short. They usually are good for 100K and if yours haven't been renewed, they are overdue. There are brush sets available from online parts houses, but for the first time I would recommend that you get a new regulator/brush unit from a dealer. They run around $80.
The unit is attached to the back of the alternator. It is easier to access it if you remove the heat shield and the oil filter, as when doing an oil change.
Two Phillips-head screws hold it on. Be careful not to hit any wires, the big red one is hot all the time. Save the old unit, maybe you'll be able to put in a set of the $6.00 brushes later and have a good spare for when you get to 200K.
Antifreeze, aka coolant, can have a slow leak that evaporates with engine heat. A common suspect is the heater hoses, they leak at the back of the block and if all the coolant evaporates you'll hardly ever see it.
From the water pump to the back of the block is a metal tube, at its rear it connects to one of the heater hoses. Look back there and you'll see the other hose. Right after shutting down, open the hood and use a flashlight to look back there. See if you can smell it, too.
Both are a low-cost PITA to replace. They are shaped hoses, so get them from a dealer. If you do the repair, here's some tips. (1) do it with the engine dead cold, as you will find it easier to get at the fittings by lying down on top of the engine. (2) You can drain a little coolant out by removing the hose from the overflow tank to the radiator. (3) Check the FAQ's and your shop manuals to get all the info possible before starting the job.
Some years back I was gifted a Sears electric screwdriver. It is a great tool for these kinds of job. Oh, check for availability of ALL the parts with the on-line parts houses on the BB. Call Nick at fpcgroton, he'll do OK by you.
Post again, there's more info available.
Good Luck,
Bob
:>)
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