Alternator / Air Conditioning System Question

samjarvis · Post by **samjarvis** » 27 Aug 2011, 07:50

Hello,
My Volvo dealer just diagnosed and replaced my left side climate motor in the climate plenum. We still experience a blower stall out on the AC after it has run for a spell (20 minutes) and the problem is random.

The dealer now tells me that my Alternator is bad and that it cannot keep the fan motor running. I listened in complete disbelief.

Can anyone corroborate such a claim?

V70 290,000 kilometers

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 27 Aug 2011, 08:53

If your alternator is bad, I'm pretty sure you'd be having bigger problems than just the AC fan not working. When the fan turns off, do the lights flash on the climate control panel?

samjarvis · Post by **samjarvis** » 28 Aug 2011, 06:05

Hello Edward,
My wife did report a similar symptom when the fan cut off. She said the climate control module defaulted to Recirculation as noted by the LED which illuminated.

I will have a chance to commute with the car this week and document exact symptoms.

sam

Post by **Fish stick88** » 28 Aug 2011, 09:54

Ecbsykes is right, you'd notice a big change if your alternator wasnt working, not only would you not have AC but probably also loose cabin lights, and radio, ETC. Sounds to me like your dealer is full of it. I had the same problem with a relay just last week, there are 2 relays, not sure where on a V70, but that is likely the problem.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 28 Aug 2011, 09:59

The ECC will usually create codes of its own when there is something wrong, although they can only be read at a dealership. Sometimes it's better to just bite the bullet and pay for the codes to be read so you're not throwing random parts at the car needlessly.

samjarvis · Post by **samjarvis** » 03 Sep 2011, 17:15

Saga of sorrow ...
I brought the car home with new battery ... and had Shamrock Auto Parts verify that the core battery was gone.
Yanked the alternator and should have prognosis on Tuesday from alternator rebuilder.
Dealer wanted to re and re the alternator for 800 bucks. Food is cheap in Houston but Cars ... oH my ... Gotta Pay to Ride!

I want to post the ultimate alternator yank and serpentine belt removal. Everything I found on the net did not take advantage of logic.
how do i do this.

Post by **Pauloil** » 03 Sep 2011, 21:05

here's some links to help you:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 3445#53445

Post by **precopster** » 03 Sep 2011, 21:14

There's a tensioner pulley with a plastic cover on it; remove the cover with a flat blade and you'll see a 12 or 13mm bolt. Turn this in a clockwide direction (you will be pulling against a spiral spring) with a wrench until the pulley untensions. At this point slip the belt off the pulley.

The alternator is VERY EASY.

Take the battery terminals off the battery. Remember you'll need your radio code later.

Remove the two upper a/c compressor bolts (these run through the alternator), then loosen the two lower bolts on the a/c compressor afew turns.

There is a 12 or 13mm bolt running into the top of the alternator which is accessible from near the accessory pulley side; feel around near the accessory tensioner and you'll find the head. Remove this bolt.

Remove the small wire with the spade connector on the alternator.
Flip the main positive black cover off the red lead from the battery and you'll find a 13mm nut. Remove it and push aside the large red positive lead.

Now maneuver the alternator out of the engine bay. I just changed the alternator in my XC70 and from memory I already had the power steering pump removed. I think you may have to have it unscrewed and at least pushed aside for the alternator to clear.....someone may want to chime in here....