my 240 keps eating alternators like a fat kid with candy

jeffrobodine · Post by **jeffrobodine** » 08 May 2004, 19:31

Well my dash warning lights started flickering for a few weeks at night and then the original alternator went, now i have gone through 8...thats right 8 and i depend on my car to make money, so now i am royally screwed, dont get me wrong the car has always been very dependable before this. i need some help so if anyone can offer some help please do so...

LaRy · Post by **LaRy** » 09 May 2004, 06:46

Have you changed the charging relay? In some newer models, the charging relay is a part of the alternator and in older Volvo's, it is a separate unit. It is definitely possible for a broken charging relay to destroy the alternator.
I would also check the insulation of the thick red power cable going from the alternator to the starter and from there, it continue to the battery + pole. Maybe you have some damage to the insulation so it is getting a short circuit to ground sometime. It use to go under the motor front end, and that is a weak point (grease, dirt and vibrations). Also check that the thick grounding of the motor to the car body is not broken.

Volvord · Post by **Volvord** » 09 May 2004, 10:04

LaRy is right on. These cars are prone to loosing their alternator ground which will lead to all sorts of problems. Check all the ground connectons between the alternator, engine to body, and battery to engine/body.

jeffrobodine · Post by **jeffrobodine** » 10 May 2004, 11:36

Well ive got the haynes manual and it shows no relay so where could i find this info? and ive traced the wires and they are intact so i think it has to be the relay. now if i could just locate it... oh and does ne1 know where i can find a proper muffler for a reasonable price? the places around where i am at want $350 +. THANX

LaRy · Post by **LaRy** » 16 May 2004, 11:19

You have never told us how old your 240 is, but only the old ones made in in the 70's and early 80's have separate charging relay. It is placed at the side wall to the left (under the hood). In Haynes you can see how the regulator looks, if it is placed in the alternator or on the side wall. I have a translated Haynes (to Swedish), and in that one the components are shown in pictures 14.1b and 14.1c and the relay is shown in picture 16.1a.

jeffrobodine · Post by **jeffrobodine** » 22 May 2004, 21:19

thanks laRy btw its an 87
turned out it was a corroded ground that was causing my problems