Volvo S80 2.9 alternator serpentine belt sunroof

stephtmb · Post by **stephtmb** » 31 Jul 2013, 08:36

I am a newbie to this site and I am hoping someone out there can help me I am getting my license next week and my grandma left me her Volvo S80 2.9, she purchased it in Dec 1 2000 and it has 92006 miles on it.... great mileage right BUT is has literally sat in a garage for the past 6 YEARS NOT DRIVEN. The battery was dead, I purchased a new battery and the car started right up. The low battery voltage light came on while driving it to my home. My friends dad said it is probably the alternator. Sorry it's just me and my mom, I was hoping someone could give me some advice on something else that may be causing the low battery voltage. If it is the alternator which brand alternator should I buy, does anyone have instructions on how to change it along with the Serpentine belt. Also is there anything that I should have checked or do to the car before driving it. Thanks I know I have asked a lot of questions but I only have a little bit of money saved up and I cant afford to take it to the Volvo dealership. My friend is pretty good with cars, hoping with some instruction or help he might be able to fix it. The only other thing not working is the sunroof, is there a fuse that would prevent this from working or is it a motor if so how much would that cost.

I appreciate any and all advice help suggestion etc

Post by **mikealder** » 31 Jul 2013, 11:20

Start with the basics, get a digital voltmeter and set it to read Voltage on the 20V range, apply the leads to the battery terminal and note down what the batter voltage is with the car keys in your pocket.

Next start the car and make sure all the electrics are switched off, heated rear screen, lights to parking position, aircon off and no blower motor running, again take a voltage reading and note it down.

Finally switch everything on electrically, headlights, mainbeam, aircon, blower to maximum and rear screen heater to on, again take a voltage reading and note it down.

Step one should be around 12 to 12,5V (or slightly higher)
Step two should be around 13,8 to 14,5V
Step three should be above 12,8V any less and alternator is probably shot

The fuse for the sunroof should be 11C/34 which is located in the end of the dashboard under the cover on the drivers side of the car - Mike

rerobin66 · Post by **rerobin66** » 01 Aug 2013, 00:14

When I first got my car the sunroof did not work. I then discovered some weird security thing. Next time you are in the car push the unlock button on the key chain a couple times. See if that releases access to your sunroof....just a thought.

oh yeah, and when it goes into this lock down mode the garage door opener wont work either.

Post by **abscate** » 05 Aug 2013, 13:47

Steph - unless you are in Arizona its likely your brake rotors are rusted up after sitting for 6 years. Look through the holes in those cool alloy wheels and see if the surface looks fairly smooth and shiny. If it is all pitted and brown that is going to give you stopping trouble.