Alternator Failure (the story)

**JamesT5** · Saturday 16th March 2013, 21:51

Well here I am again with another failure, something I'm not sure whether I should laugh or cry about because the story involved a Police Traffic car (yes another V70), a Tow Truck and an expensive bill......

This morning I was driving to work and about 3/4 of the way through my journey the car power died off, followed by a surge and a warning message on the dash, "Over charge". Then my DIM went really bright for about 2 seconds (and I mean mega bright), before one of my front headlamp bulbs blew and then another message on the dash telling me my battery power was low. At this point, the DIM was in fact just that, 'dim', and I had a message basically advising me to pull over along with the red 'battery' light. To cut this part of the story short, I managed to get to work and park up, replacing my blown light bulb during my break.

Coming home, I got in to my car and it started up and it fired up although the low battery voltage message was still present. I set off from work and got about half way home when suddenly the air bag warning light came on, then the revs became erratic and the car ground to a halt like all the life had been sucked from it. I came to a grinding halt, thankfully on a straight but 'fast' bit of road.

Now, I'm not going to waste time telling you about all the nitty gritty details but suffice to say that the RAC came out for me and it set me back £141 as my membership was cancelled a few months back (another story), and I had to pay a years membership up front to get it up and running again. They organised someone to come out and tow me however, unbeknown to myself, a passing motorist had also phoned the Police to say that I had broken down and so a traffic car was dispatched and sent to investigate. So the Police turn up (much to my relief in some ways), and what was even better was the traffic car was a Phase 3 D5 model.

Me being me, I couldn't resist a chat about the car whilst I sat in the front passenger seat, awaiting the tow truck to arrive (I'll leave the details of the chat for another time).

Anyway, eventually the tow truck arrived and towed my very poorly car home which is now safely on my driveway. I think what has happened is the alternator has failed and the battery stopped charging completely, then once all the juice had gone from the battery there was nothing to power the fuel pump, and anything else in the car that needed electricity so the car just died. The over charge was probably the alternator failing and then it basically burned itself out within seconds, and the extra power caused the lights to surge and one of the fron bulbs to blow.

Looks like I'm going to have to fork out £109.50 (ebay price) for a new/recon alternator and fit it before my car will be up and running again. The only other alternative for short hops in to town (2 - 3 mile round trip), is to charge the battery overnight and then keep charging it everytime I need to use the car. As for getting to work, this is my daily runner so I may have to borrow a car from my parents. The MOT is booked for Wednesday but it seems a bit pointless taking it for the MOT when I've got this problem as I may not be able to get it back home!

Regards

James

**stribo** · Saturday 16th March 2013, 21:59

Mate, your car really seems to hate you at the moment, you must have been a very bad man in a previous life. I hope you can get it sorted soon.

**V70 Graham** · Saturday 16th March 2013, 22:00

Sorry to hear your latest problems James, you really aren't having a lot of luck at the minute, hopefully one day soon you will be able to laugh about it all.....or at least smile.

**volvokid** · Saturday 16th March 2013, 22:03

109 is cheap for an alternator. Mine just failed on the V40 and cost a hell of a lot more. Be grateful you only have one volvo to try and maintain

**JamesT5** · Saturday 16th March 2013, 22:08

Originally Posted by stribo

Mate, your car really seems to hate you at the moment, you must have been a very bad man in a previous life. I hope you can get it sorted soon.

Most people on here would have scrapped the thing by now or sold it for peanuts as a 'spares or repair'. I think I should get an award from Santa for winning 1st place in the competition for the most problematic daily runner V70 on VPCUK.

I also need an award for bravery and another for persistence. Unfortunately I'm in a financial 'bind' at the moment with this car, it owes me too much to shift it, no one will want it if I try and I don't have the money to replace it. Therefore, I've got to put up with it and get it fixed which is exactly what I intend to do, even it means having a go at fixing a new alternator on by myself.

I think the PAS pump has to come off to do the job which is going to be a real pain the §§§§ and I'll also have to remove the fan belt and get it all back on properly. I may have to invest in the Haynes Book of Bo****ks!

**JamesT5** · Saturday 16th March 2013, 22:10

Originally Posted by V70 Graham

Sorry to hear your latest problems James, you really aren't having a lot of luck at the minute, hopefully one day soon you will be able to laugh about it all.....or at least smile.

Yes, let's hope so because it doesn't half pick it's moments to break down, right when I've got to get the thing taxed and MOT'd!

**JamesT5** · Saturday 16th March 2013, 22:11

Originally Posted by volvokid

109 is cheap for an alternator. Mine just failed on the V40 and cost a hell of a lot more. Be grateful you only have one volvo to try and maintain

I was hoping to get one from a scrappy for around £30 but looks like I was way off the mark.

**merc85** · Saturday 16th March 2013, 22:14

£109 is certainly cheap,

**volvokid** · Saturday 16th March 2013, 22:16

Originally Posted by JamesT5

I was hoping to get one from a scrappy for around £30 but looks like I was way off the mark.

I know everyone is in different situations but I dont think I would fit a second hand part like that, get it on the credit card lol. Look what happened to you today. That might pack in not long after you have grafted fitting it.

**volvokid** · Saturday 16th March 2013, 22:17

Originally Posted by merc85

£109 is certainly cheap,

I was almost 200 for a non genuine one for the V40

**JamesT5** · Saturday 16th March 2013, 22:29

Originally Posted by volvokid

I know everyone is in different situations but I dont think I would fit a second hand part like that, get it on the credit card lol. Look what happened to you today. That might pack in not long after you have grafted fitting it.

Nice suggestion but I don't have a credit card, I can't have one as I was naughty with them a few years back.

No, what I'll do is just get one and borrow some money from the other half when she gets paid.

**JamesT5** · Saturday 16th March 2013, 22:30

For reference purposes......

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-V70-...item2c64ace22e

**stevmo** · Saturday 16th March 2013, 23:35

I know the feeling but luckily my previous car that was doing this to me still has value so I can sell it but I'm in to a massive loss.
2001 Y reg E39 BMW 530d SE Auto Touring (facelift) with all the toys (xenons, comfort seats, electric steering column, upgrade stereo, bigger wheels etc)
I bought it in July 2012 for £2000
£300 on inspection II service (regrettable decision)
£1740 on gearbox rebuild
£180 on decat (flexis blew and only replaceable as the entire cat - stainless decat was cheaper option)
£40 on IM gaskets (they were leaking)
£30 on IM swirl flap blank plates (to stop it destroying the engine)

And there have been suspension components, trim pieces, stereo packed in and it was a choice - replace OE CD player for £300 (second hand) or use radio I had and get fascia and wiring adaptors for £50 but not be able to reset trip computer.

I needed both rear tyres doing having done 10k in it and while talking to the tyre fitters mentioned that I didnt like the fronts but they have plenty of tread so will have to do. they asked what they were and I told them Sunteks. Asked me to turn wheel full lock (I hadnt brought car in yet to go on ramp) and both front tyres had bulged inner sidewalls - reason they wont stock those tyres. £360 on 4 new tyres on new years eve, new years day I'm greeted with message on the dash "SELF LVL SUSP. INACT" meaning the self levelling rear suspension had packed in. Traced to §§§§ed airbags - £300 for new ones (tbf only one was leaking but I always do pairs on suspension) added to the fact that I was only averaging 34mpg, had a rough as §§§§ idle and smoke out the exhaust and found someone had kindly removed the EML bulb from the dash I was rather §§§§ed off so decided I'll get easy to fix petrol and go back to manual (hence the Volvo).

With fuel and all repairs/parts that car has cost £5000 in 10k ignoring purchase price making it 50p a mile!! I'm roughly 21p a mile in the S60. I got §§§§ed about selling it spares or repairs so I'm fixing it, re-moting it (up in april) and selling on.

Hopefully it wont throw anymore £££££ my way just to sell it but just my luck it will. Handsome car but ridiculous running costs. Sure it will be cheaper for next owner since I did all the expensive £££££

**silverhorse** · Sunday 17th March 2013, 07:41

James. Mate.

Your car is testing you. You have not come up wanting!!!
Stick with it mate. Just think, you will soon be the Oracle we all turn to when we have a problem. Chances are you have had it and sorted it

**JamesT5** · Sunday 17th March 2013, 14:42

Originally Posted by silverhorse

James. Mate.

Your car is testing you. You have not come up wanting!!!
Stick with it mate. Just think, you will soon be the Oracle we all turn to when we have a problem. Chances are you have had it and sorted it

Funny you should say that because I've already started spotting posts that echo my previous problems. Coming up next, a thread... ."How to build a Volvo V70 T5 Phase 2"...... (At least I'm can see the funny side).

**JamesT5** · Sunday 17th March 2013, 14:44

It's been suggested I take the thing oof the car and check the brushes because they are cheap to replace. Failing that, there's a place not far from here that refurbs alternators!

**claymore** · Sunday 17th March 2013, 14:47

If the alternator is the same as an 850 one, I have a spare you can have.

**JamesT5** · Sunday 17th March 2013, 15:26

Originally Posted by claymore

If the alternator is the same as an 850 one, I have a spare you can have.

Thanks mate, I think they are different but it's worth keeping in mind. I don't know whether there is any way to tell until I can get some sort of model number and do a comparison. Looks like I'll be busy on a steep learning curve this week!

**LeeT5** · Monday 18th March 2013, 09:46

Not meaning to tell you to suck eggs but before you buy the one on eBay, make sure what your buying is the correct amperage. They do different amperage's for all our models even thou they list your car.
You need to see if you can see the sticker on your alternator...it should say. Failing that, a VIN check at the dealer will advise you which to fit. I would change the Aux belt too, being as you have to remove it. They are only £23 from the dealer. Will make the car sound quieter as you'll have no belt noises that you may have become accustomed to without noticing. They don't always squeal you know!

**JamesT5** · Monday 18th March 2013, 15:28

Originally Posted by LeeT5

Not meaning to tell you to suck eggs but before you buy the one on eBay, make sure what your buying is the correct amperage. They do different amperage's for all our models even thou they list your car.
You need to see if you can see the sticker on your alternator...it should say. Failing that, a VIN check at the dealer will advise you which to fit. I would change the Aux belt too, being as you have to remove it. They are only £23 from the dealer. Will make the car sound quieter as you'll have no belt noises that you may have become accustomed to without noticing. They don't always squeal you know!

Thanks for the advice Lee as always, I had noted the various alternators were different voltages so you're absolutely right there. I did think about changing the fan belt too as you stated although my budget has now been blown this month.

Regards

James