Anything from 13.8-14.2 is normal without a load (headlights, heater fan, large power draw items)
Neil.
What did you do to your Volvo today? Topic is solved
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scot850
- Posts: 14875
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Re: What did you do to your Volvo today?
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold
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454cid
- Posts: 1248
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Well headlights are always on. I suppose I could find the fuse and pull it, for a test. I forget about the lights always being on pulling the voltage down.
1996 850
1999 S70 GLT (sold after deer hit)
2010 Ford Focus SE
2006 Cadillac CTS
1996 Mercedes C220
1999 Chevrolet K3500
1969 Buick LeSabre Custom 400
1999 S70 GLT (sold after deer hit)
2010 Ford Focus SE
2006 Cadillac CTS
1996 Mercedes C220
1999 Chevrolet K3500
1969 Buick LeSabre Custom 400
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scot850
- Posts: 14875
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With the headlights on I would expect 13.5V or in that area. I'm no electrical expert, but having the headlights on is 2 x 55W? = 110W/12V
That is only 9A draw down on a 100A (-98) or 120A 99- alternator charging a 600CA battery. If your alternator is only outputting less than 13V then maybe you have a concern, like maybe worn brushes or voltage regulator?
Neil.
That is only 9A draw down on a 100A (-98) or 120A 99- alternator charging a 600CA battery. If your alternator is only outputting less than 13V then maybe you have a concern, like maybe worn brushes or voltage regulator?
Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold
- Sveedy
- Posts: 2069
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Probably wasn't necessary, but I went ahead and replaced it anyway.
Try to learn life's bad lessons vicariously through others.
1996 850 Turbo GLH ( Goes Like Hell )
1999 V70 GLT
1996 850 Turbo GLH ( Goes Like Hell )
1999 V70 GLT
- abscate
- MVS Moderator
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Are you done with that mount??

Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
- jreed
- Posts: 1619
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I replaced the boots on my passenger axle
Old boot: Newly re-booted axle installed in transmission with new Corteco seal: Axle reinserted into steering knuckle: I used the GKN Lobro outer boot... last one endured about 10 years. Hoping for similar longevity with this one.
Old boot: Newly re-booted axle installed in transmission with new Corteco seal: Axle reinserted into steering knuckle: I used the GKN Lobro outer boot... last one endured about 10 years. Hoping for similar longevity with this one.
1997 855 GLT (Light Pressure Turbo) still going strong. Previous: 1986 240 GL rusted out in '06, 1985 Saab 900T rusted out in '95, 1975 Saab 99 rusted out in '95, 1973 Saab 99 rusted out in '94
- ZionXIX
- Posts: 1310
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- Year and Model: 1996 850 Turbo S/W
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Here in Texas I end up replacing batteries every 3 years. It wasn't always this bad. Makes me wonder if there has been a change in the way batteries are constructed over the last 30 years.
Scarlett: 1996 850 Turbo Wagon in Reagent Red Pearl ~210K mi
Norman: 2012 F150 XLT Crew Cab in Oxford White ~110K mi
Ember: 2005 XC90 2.5T FWD in Ruby Red Metallic ~83K mi *Newest addition to the fleet*
Ruby: 1997 850 Turbo Wagon in Reagent Red Pearl - parts car
Rose: 2020 Ram 1500 in Delmonico Red Pearl - SWMBO's Vehicle
Norman: 2012 F150 XLT Crew Cab in Oxford White ~110K mi
Ember: 2005 XC90 2.5T FWD in Ruby Red Metallic ~83K mi *Newest addition to the fleet*
Ruby: 1997 850 Turbo Wagon in Reagent Red Pearl - parts car
Rose: 2020 Ram 1500 in Delmonico Red Pearl - SWMBO's Vehicle
- bmdubya1198
- Posts: 6338
- Joined: 30 December 2014
- Year and Model: 2K V70R M56
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Oh 100%. The last battery in my mom's XC90 lasted about 9 years, it was a genuine Volvo battery. I replaced it in 2020, still going strong with an Everstart from good ol' Walmart.
What I have noticed is that interior mounted batteries tend to last a lot longer than engine bay mounted batteries. More protection against the elements and heat.
00 V70R Venetian Red/Charcoal M56 Swapped 214k
07 XC90 V8 AWD Sport Titanium Grey/Black 220k
92 245 White/Beige 249k
91 944 Turbo 175k
…and a bunch of other stuff
Sold-
03 S60 2.4T
00 S70 GLT
98 V70 GLT
93 944
98 S90
95 850 GLT
01 S60 2.4T
05 S60R M66
08 S40 2.4i
88 744 Turbo M46
07 XC90 V8 AWD Sport Titanium Grey/Black 220k
92 245 White/Beige 249k
91 944 Turbo 175k
…and a bunch of other stuff
Sold-
03 S60 2.4T
00 S70 GLT
98 V70 GLT
93 944
98 S90
95 850 GLT
01 S60 2.4T
05 S60R M66
08 S40 2.4i
88 744 Turbo M46
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454cid
- Posts: 1248
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- Year and Model: 1996 850
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I've never been a fan of mounting batteries any place but the engine bay, as it always seemed more complicated to me. It was all based on hearsay and assumption, Though. I now have one battery in the trunk, and that's on my 1996 C220 (W202) Mercedes. It was dead when I bought it, but after a long slow recharge, it's been absolutely fine.bmdubya1198 wrote: ↑26 May 2025, 09:20
Oh 100%. The last battery in my mom's XC90 lasted about 9 years, it was a genuine Volvo battery. I replaced it in 2020, still going strong with an Everstart from good ol' Walmart.
What I have noticed is that interior mounted batteries tend to last a lot longer than engine bay mounted batteries. More protection against the elements and heat.
I still don't like the idea of putting it under the back seat, However. Both Mercedes and GM have done that. I guess that's probably better than in the wheel well, as I've read that where some cars have it.
I also usually buy Everstart batteries. It's what's in my 850, which hasn't gone dead again, but I've been driving it more, too.
1996 850
1999 S70 GLT (sold after deer hit)
2010 Ford Focus SE
2006 Cadillac CTS
1996 Mercedes C220
1999 Chevrolet K3500
1969 Buick LeSabre Custom 400
1999 S70 GLT (sold after deer hit)
2010 Ford Focus SE
2006 Cadillac CTS
1996 Mercedes C220
1999 Chevrolet K3500
1969 Buick LeSabre Custom 400
- bmdubya1198
- Posts: 6338
- Joined: 30 December 2014
- Year and Model: 2K V70R M56
- Location: Charlotte, NC
- Has thanked: 304 times
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Chrysler did the fender liner batteries in the late 90s and early 2000s... dumb location! There's also a lot of vehicles now that put them under the passenger seat/floor. Really stupid.454cid wrote: ↑26 May 2025, 09:46I've never been a fan of mounting batteries any place but the engine bay, as it always seemed more complicated to me. It was all based on hearsay and assumption, Though. I now have one battery in the trunk, and that's on my 1996 C220 (W202) Mercedes. It was dead when I bought it, but after a long slow recharge, it's been absolutely fine.bmdubya1198 wrote: ↑26 May 2025, 09:20
Oh 100%. The last battery in my mom's XC90 lasted about 9 years, it was a genuine Volvo battery. I replaced it in 2020, still going strong with an Everstart from good ol' Walmart.
What I have noticed is that interior mounted batteries tend to last a lot longer than engine bay mounted batteries. More protection against the elements and heat.
I still don't like the idea of putting it under the back seat, However. Both Mercedes and GM have done that. I guess that's probably better than in the wheel well, as I've read that where some cars have it.
I also usually buy Everstart batteries. It's what's in my 850, which hasn't gone dead again, but I've been driving it more, too.
BMW E34s are under the rear seat, not a fan of that either. Trunk is my favorite location.
00 V70R Venetian Red/Charcoal M56 Swapped 214k
07 XC90 V8 AWD Sport Titanium Grey/Black 220k
92 245 White/Beige 249k
91 944 Turbo 175k
…and a bunch of other stuff
Sold-
03 S60 2.4T
00 S70 GLT
98 V70 GLT
93 944
98 S90
95 850 GLT
01 S60 2.4T
05 S60R M66
08 S40 2.4i
88 744 Turbo M46
07 XC90 V8 AWD Sport Titanium Grey/Black 220k
92 245 White/Beige 249k
91 944 Turbo 175k
…and a bunch of other stuff
Sold-
03 S60 2.4T
00 S70 GLT
98 V70 GLT
93 944
98 S90
95 850 GLT
01 S60 2.4T
05 S60R M66
08 S40 2.4i
88 744 Turbo M46
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