240 altinator

fjord · Post by **fjord** » 12 Oct 2005, 21:20

HI I have a 88 volvo 240
the engine was repaced about a year ago(dont ask its a sad story)
I put in a new altiantor two months ago and a new batery last month
I tightend up the bolts on the altiator and the radio cut out except at trafic lights.
so I dug aroung under the dash with no luck. and the battry started makng crispy sounds
then on a recent drive e the alitnator belt started screaching and the radio came back on. ah so it was running fine then the low beams went out but the highs beams got me home the next day it was fine
today the car just died at a light.
is it the altiantor again? a bad compter or a short?
this is my third 240 and Im stumped
thanks for the help

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 13 Oct 2005, 18:05

Get a voltmeter and measure the voltage across the battery. Red should be connected to the red lead and black should be connected to the - You should read 12v. Now start the car and you should measure about 13.8-14.2 v across the battery. If you do not have about 14v your system is not charging. What bolts did you tighten? If you shorted something (sparks!) you probably did burn the alternator out. Any time you are working around this expensive item disconnet the battery so this will not happen. Don't weld around it either! Fortunately I have not burned my alternator but I have burned out a speedometer and they cost even more! Live and learn.

fjord · Post by **fjord** » 15 Oct 2005, 16:06

thanks