1

My 91 Volvo 940 has been dying lately and won't restart. If you jump it, it restarts, but then sputters and stalls within about a minute. Before it stalls, the speedometer bounces up to about 20 mph even as your sitting still. The mechanic replaced the alternator and I took it back in and he sez it still tests like it needs a new alternator.

Improve this question

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

If the alternator bench tests okay, but doesn't work on the car, suspect the small wire connected to the alternator. This wire should be getting 12 volts when the car is switched on. It gets its power from the ignition switch through the battery light in the dash. Does the battery light come on when you turn the ignition on with the engine off? If that bulb is burnt out the alternator will not charge.

Also check to make sure that you are getting 12 volts to the small terminal or connector on the alternator with the ignition in the on position. The alternator is internally regulated so there is not much else that can be wrong if the alternator bench tests as good.

Improve this answer
0

You have a data link connector on your Volvo. It works by flashing an LED a number of times. It would be worth checking the engine fuel and ignition systems with it to hand. www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/EngineOBDCodes.html‎ has a good tutorial for this vehicle. Be wary of spending good money on this vehicle though, cost of parts and availability of parts can be a bit hairy.

Improve this answer
2
  • According to the mechanic, there are no failure signals coming from that data link. His last attempt to fix was traced back to failure to deliver signal from the ignition module to the alternator. Unplugged the connector and reconnected and the car started right up. I've heard that connections on this car are often the source of weird electrical problems. Could it be that simple?
    – Stephen Carey
    Nov 26, 2013 at 14:48
  • 1
    Yes it can that simple, it is called the wiggle test. Sometimes just wiggling a plug will remake a connection. The age of the vehicle will play a part in all of this.
    – Allan Osborne
    Nov 26, 2013 at 20:40

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .