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I started the car and brought it up to full temp and speed. It idles at around 1600 rpms, which should be adequate for charging. I broke out the multimeter and here's what I found.
With no accessories running, I get an intermittent glowing amp light, my charging indicator, hooked to the amp light and shows when output drops below 12-14 volts - I think) is green.
I tested the voltage at several locations.
Battery:
+ terminal on battery - 14 volts with no accessories running, with all accessories and lights, it dropped down to 9-11 volts
Alternator:
B+ 19-20 Volts, same at VR terminal, no matter how many accesories were running.
D+ With all accessories running (at the regulator end) it's 5 volts, It jumped to 10 volts when I switched everything off. I couldn't probe the alternator side of the D+, too far in too close to the manifold.
Also, with the key on and the car not running, I only get 9-10 volts at the D+.
After running everthing for a while, the charging indicator went red, the amp light glowed brightly, lights got dim, wipers got slow. The radio goes black when the lights are turned on. bad news. I am definitely losing power.
My alternator is still sparking away, but the voltage from the alternator is steady. Kinda confusing. Only the D+ seemes to change.
Here's my new worry - is my alternator burning up my Voltage Regulators?
BTW: the charging indicator is just a simple little doohicky installed many years ago. No moving parts. All it does it light different leds up when the power level drops. Green - good, Yellow - losing power, Red - critical power loss. Nothing weird, it's piggy-backed to the Amp line, as far as I can tell.
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You mean Volvo makes cars that are *NOT* Wagons?!?
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