1998 S70 Electrical Problems ( daughter trip, location OH)

rafmarkham · Post by **rafmarkham** » 10 Jan 2016, 08:11

My daughter is en route to Atlanta from Toronto - yesterday, near Lima, Ohio, the battery warning light came on, then SRS, and others followed, then the engine died slowly with warning lights pulsating dimly. Towed to a local mechanic, battery was dead and cracked or "exploded" when removed. Alternator checked out fine. Some wiring was melted near manifold. Replaced battery and burnt wiring, and attached module, with parts from local "donor" S70. This morning she set off, but engine light came on again near Dayton. Car starts but battery light came on again shortly after.Have supplied her with website giving OBD codes and area dealers, but with no Volvo dealers open today , we're trying to get insight on what may be wrong and what needs to be checked before she proceeds. Any advice would be much appreciated

UPDATE:
Lima mechanic confirms that he tested the alternator and got positive results 3 out of 4 times. He originally suspected that the PCM could have been an issue, but since the car starts is not keen on that being the case. Other possibilities he suggested are another short circuit (the melted wire mentioned above was thought to be the culprit of the original battery having cracked). Currently waiting at the only open garage we could find on a Sunday. Dayton mechanic will shortly start his inspection.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 10 Jan 2016, 09:37

It would be nice to know what wiring melted. Any chance of getting a picture posted of the wires involved? If we can figure our what melted we might be able to figure out why. The computer won't cause wiring to melt but that seems to be the default excuse when someone has no idea.

...Lee

rafmarkham · Post by **rafmarkham** » 10 Jan 2016, 11:55

Much appreciate your response, Lee. My knee-jerk reaction is a wiring issue. I will ask her to try and take pictures of area behind replaced battery (where worked on, and burnt, melted wiring and some sort of unit was re-placed yesterday) and also around the alternator itself.

Car re-checked at garage en route to Dayton - ran fine until battery light came on again- got another mechanic to check, road tested 15 min no issue. They resuming travel, light came on again after 30 minutes, so exited I-75 again. A stop at a Sears where-ever tested and said alternator output very low, and needed replacing - mmmm. The latter was checked 4 times in Lima yesterday, 3 readings OK, and once elsewhere after this am.(OK), so I suspect a wiring issue. (Car has only has just over 200,000 km on it - my 1995 850 alt. lasted 350,000). Battery re-charged by Sears "in case"... Given the long, picturesque, but "empty" stretches through states south to Atlanta, she (and boyfriend and two cats!) wisely decided to stop overnight in Dayton, where there is a Volvo dealer open 9:00am tomorrow that can check it out properly. Towing charges have mounted up...

Will forward photos from her if possible -thanks again for your input. Regards and wishes for a happy New Year.

Post by **abscate** » 10 Jan 2016, 19:29

Changed title to reflect trip need , made sticky for one week

rafmarkham · Post by **rafmarkham** » 11 Jan 2016, 08:46

Thanks abscate - much appreciated.

Volvo dealership/repair centre in Dayton ran a diagnostic this morning and concluded that the problem is a bad alternator. Quoted $300 for the part (which must be ordered in) + $400 for labour. Daughter found same part at Smyth Automotive for $169, and dealership will perform the work this afternoon for the quoted price. Optimistic that this is the end of the ordeal but concerned about further wiring issues, given the previous positive alternator tests. Will update when more information becomes available.

Post by **kahl** » 11 Jan 2016, 13:40

Sorry I just noticed this post. I am about an hour east of her near Columbus. If the dealership falls through on installing the alternator I will put it on for her. If you need this PM me and I will give you my number.

Post by **cn90** » 11 Jan 2016, 14:24

Couple thoughts:

- The 1st mechanic misdiagnosed the alternator problem. It became obvious later in Dayton OH.

- The Volvo dealer is correct but their labor charge is outrageous. The book rate for the alternator is 1.5h.

- Search for posts by "erikv11" on Voltage Regulator. Stick to Bosch and you can even install it w/o removing the alternator!
This is why when driving long-distance in cars with this vintage, it is always a good idea to carry the Bosch VR, which costs about $50.
If you end up never needing it when the car goes to the junk yard, you can always resell the VR later.

- Now if you decide on new alternator, it is a tricky business b/c the quality of rebuilt alternators these days is very bad. Sometimes people go through 2-3 alternators let's say from Autozone before they get a good alternator. This happens b/c rebuilders cut corner.
Googgle "Bosch Al0752X vs AL0752N".
Even Volvo dealer uses rebuilt Bosch.

NAPA has branches in Dayton OH and they usually carry better stuff than other parts store.

PS: Nice for "kahl" to offer help.

rafmarkham · Post by **rafmarkham** » 11 Jan 2016, 17:01

Many thanks, ozark, kahl and cn90, for your offers and input. Would have voted for the Bosch, but not there to referee, so I don't know what they used yet. She is now on the next 8-hour stretch left of the trip. Will go for the VR suggestion regardless. Checked with my trusted Volvo mechanic here (now he's open!) -21 years maintaining our 95 850, the 98 S70 and the 04 v70 - his comment was that if the battery warning light goes on, then the SRS, and others follow, it's an indication the alternator could be at fault- and that testing the alternator output may give "temporary" OK readings. We now await a safe- arrival call from Atlanta. Thanks, again, everyone, for your help.

Post by **cn90** » 11 Jan 2016, 19:15

Glad you got it fixed.

Old car is an issue for long trips, things such as water pump, alternator sometimes go out at the worst locations. This is why I always keep cooling system (belt, water pump etc.) up to date.

Age is not the issue when it comes to alternator which has separate components: bearings last 180K-200K. VR lasts about 120K-200K. The problem with the VR is that: it is an electronic part, it can go out at 50K or 250K, completely unpredictable. This is why on long trip, I carry the Bosch VR.

Another item that will get you stranded is: the fuel pump. Google Bosch 69693, about $120. Again, you can buy it as spare and leave it in the trunk. One day you sell the car, you can always list the fuel pump on ebay, amazon etc. Nothing to lose. A lot to gain when it comes to Volvo parts in the "middle of nowhere".

When I go long distance with family, I usually rent a van, less headache and in fact I save money (no wear and tear on my car).

Post by **rspi** » 11 Jan 2016, 19:34

rafmarkham wrote:... his comment was that if the battery warning light goes on, then the SRS, and others follow, it's an indication the alternator could be at fault- and that testing the alternator output may give "temporary" OK readings...

That is what happened when my alternator failed. Wish I was in the area but she's likely fine now. Ouch on that labor.