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My new early 240 model alternator arrived today via UPS. I went out and prepared to bolt it on, and I ran into a couple of small problems. One the new alternator is a "little" different from my 1975 model, and the bolt hole is just a wee-bit smaller causing the main mounting bolt to bind up. The smaller tightening bracket bolt hole is not threaded, so I need to work out another approach there too. The housing has a triple-prong hookup, and a couple of extra terminals. Very odd. I can work around these issues, but it seems something else was going on with the old setup.
I unbolted the 1975 alternator, pulled it and noticed something "odd"
The half-circle diode shield plate (with the B+ terminal) was all "loose" The other nut and bolt on the diode shield was gone (along with the plastic bolt cover) and the B+ bolt has loosened up at the diode shield as well.
Err...what the...?
Then I recalled hearing a couple of different "things" fall off the car on my last 30 mile trip. I knew that I lost one of the front letters (fortunately I had a spare), but I assumed that the second was a loose bolt or something.... It turns out that I was close to right...
So, I replace the lost washer and nut, tightened everything down, and reinstalled the 1975 alternator. I started it up and.... No AMP Light!
I turned on every electrical accesory that the car has and I got a dull glow from the amp, nothing more. Now, *all* the lights are bright. No sparks coming from the alternator. Multimeter reading show that I've got a solid 14 volts at the B+, at the B+ at the regulator, and at the + terminal on the battery. I took it on a few test drives, then went to the hardware store for some proper-sized speed-nuts. No troubles. I'll hold my breath for a few days to be sure, but I think the problem may be gone.
Too bad I dropped another $80.00 for a non-returnable replacement. At least I have a spare unit in case my celebration is premature.
Now I can get back to my other problems.
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You mean Volvo makes cars that are *NOT* Wagons?!?
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