1990 Volvo 240 DL Charging System Problem

Post by **cattledog** » 28 Jan 2010, 17:13

If the alternator is turning , belt tension is not your immediate problem. Your alternator is not putting out. There is a small wire plugged on the back of the alt. Remove the wire, turn on the ignition and check with a 12v test light and see if you have power.

Post by **jblackburn** » 28 Jan 2010, 17:19

Is there a way to check my current regulator to see if it's functioning?

If it's putting out 12.4V (which is probably just the battery holding its own charge), the regulator/brushes are toast.

If the belt is spinning the alternator, and you can push on it with a finger and its not slack, the tension is fine.

That current draw seems a little bit high to me, were you able to determine if it dropped with any fuses being pulled?

Post by **cattledog** » 28 Jan 2010, 17:25

40ma is a little high, no more than 25 ma, could be that alt. not charging and drawing.

PaulSimonon · Post by **PaulSimonon** » 29 Jan 2010, 14:43

Well, I upgraded multimeters today to a more accurate one, and the current draw readings were under 25mA, so I don't think there is anything going on there.

Is there anything I else I ought to check for? Would it be safe to assume that it's the voltage regulator at this point?

Post by **cattledog** » 29 Jan 2010, 14:49

Yup, and make sure you use a little emery cloth on the attachment point under one of the screws on the alt.. It's used for ground.
Also when you're right there make sure the ground strap is good between the alt. and motor mount bracket. They used to pull out on the mount end.

PaulSimonon · Post by **PaulSimonon** » 30 Jan 2010, 12:01

The regulator is ordered and will be here Monday afternoon. I'll let you all know what happens when I throw that sucker in.

Thanks for all of your help guys, it is very much appreciated.

PaulSimonon · Post by **PaulSimonon** » 01 Feb 2010, 14:10

Just installed the new voltage regulator and there was no change. Voltage still dropped once the car was started.

What should my next step be?

Post by **jblackburn** » 01 Feb 2010, 14:28

Take out the alternator and have it tested. Advance Auto Parts or Autozone will do this for you.

Post by **cattledog** » 01 Feb 2010, 16:40

cattledog wrote:If the alternator is turning , belt tension is not your immediate problem. Your alternator is not putting out. There is a small wire plugged on the back of the alt. Remove the wire, turn on the ignition and check with a 12v test light and see if you have power.

Did you do this? This is the D+ terminal, the alt. will not work without power given to it. The alt.may be bad, but you have to know if it's getting power or you'll still be scratching your head with a new alt.
How did the brushes look on the old set?

PaulSimonon · Post by **PaulSimonon** » 04 Feb 2010, 19:14

I have battery voltage at the D+ terminal.

The brushes looked fine, but there was some corrosion on the regulator itself. The replacement is a new in box Bosch; it looked spotless.

I should have the alternator out and tested at some point this weekend and I'll let you guys know what the results of that are.

1990 Volvo 240 DL Charging System Problem

Re: 1990 Volvo 240 DL Charging System Problem