95 turbo wagon generator light flashes while car is off

theebassman82 · Post by **theebassman82** » 06 May 2015, 18:56

hello first time volvo owner here. so my generator light is flashing while the car is off and the keys are out of the ignition. the light shuts off as soon as i start the car. is this something i should be worried about? and how do i fix this problem? thanks.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 06 May 2015, 20:26

It is of concern but I don't think it is the alternator. My guess is that the instrument cluster is having issues. On a true alternator problem most of the warning lights come on along with the battery light. Yours is the first that I've heard of with a flashing battery light but there have been a bunch of them that have flashing service lights. That one (the service light) is an easy fix, just take out the lamp and remember to change the oil every few thousand miles.

...Lee

theebassman82 · Post by **theebassman82** » 06 May 2015, 21:29

So I had a tape in the deck and when I ejected the tape the light quit flashing. I'm confused as all get out.

Post by **erikv11** » 06 May 2015, 21:38

In my 96 850, the generator (battery) light stayed on when the key was off and out. It didn't flash, it just stayed on. Would shut off as soon as I started the car. Very strange.

Then I noticed so of the other dash lights would flash on and off at various times. The problem was the alternator, I changed just the voltage regulator inside the alt and that fixed it.

I'm not disagreeing with Lee, in fact he was the one who steered me to the alt in that example up above, just saying consider the alternator too. Most auto parts stores will test the alternator for free, probably worth getting that done as part of the investigation.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 06 May 2015, 22:23

theebassman82 wrote:So I had a tape in the deck and when I ejected the tape the light quit flashing. I'm confused as all get out.

Is the stereo stock? If it is an aftermarket it is possible that the wiring got butchered when they installed it.

I'm trying to come up with an alternator failure that would cause the pulse that makes the light flash. One quick and dirty test is to unplug the small red/white wire that goes to the alternator and see if the problem continues. That wire also feeds the SRS controller and I had a problem where the factory stereo amp with its sharp edges chaffed the wire where it went into the center console but that resulted in the battery light staying on all the time but only when the key was on.

...Lee

theebassman82 · Post by **theebassman82** » 06 May 2015, 22:51

Its a stock stereo. And you said a wire behind it caused yours to stay on? I wonder if ejecting the tape moved the unit away from said wire? I shall investigate more tomorrow after work. I am a first time volvo owner and have only had this car under a week and I already love it.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 07 May 2015, 06:13

I suppose that is a possibility. The wire to the SRS controller is also a Red/White wire that goes below the console. It is in a bundle of wires that routes directly behind the radio. Is the flashing at regular intervals or is it more random?

These are the kind of problems that will drive you insane trying to find the short. It is usually pretty easy to fix once you find it though.

...Lee

theebassman82 · Post by **theebassman82** » 07 May 2015, 08:07

Its a steady light with no pattern to it. Stuff like this does drive me insane. Also starting a new job doesn't help the stress factor much either.

theebassman82 · Post by **theebassman82** » 07 May 2015, 09:00

Well went to start it this morning wouldn't crank over. Gave her a jump started up then a mess of dash lights came and and started tweaking out.

Post by **erikv11** » 07 May 2015, 10:58

Alternator.

It is probably the voltage regulator and that can be replaced separately, or get a used or rebuilt alternator. I suggest you do some searches of the forum, there are a few options and things to consider.