No charge! Broken down and left in the road!

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Thu Nov 20, 2003 9:17 pm

My 480 baby has broken down in Hanworth

it has no power! I think the alternator is broken

My dad is going to drive me to it and jump start and get her home (only 2 miles)

Bugger

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Thu Nov 20, 2003 9:24 pm

ack!

Rather now, whilst it's still mild and dry, than in a few weeks time in driving rain or snow I spose

You know the drill about checking etc...

Unlucky mate

David Thornber · Post by **David Thornber** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 12:00 am

Mine failed recently, but I was lucky. On way back from Blackpool illuminations noticed volt gauge showing around 11-12 volts. Kept fingers crossed it would get me home, fortunately it did, although I had to inform other half that winding window up and down to have a fag was a bad idea when engine was spluttering through lack of charge.

Hope you get it going soon, also hope you don't have air conditioning, 'cause it's a pig of a job to change alternator if you do!!

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 12:15 am

Yep I got Air Con! Dad is doing it for me tomorrow morning

My baby is now safe in the drive way! I saw some guy in a XR3i looking at as he drove past it very slowly.

Another 30mins and my car could have been nicked if it been working

strangegame · Post by **strangegame** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 12:19 am

good to hear its safe hope all goes smoothly

Ettore Bugatti · Post by **Ettore Bugatti** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 11:43 am

Everbody seems to have problems with the alternator and regulator these days...

gerrsvolvo · Post by **gerrsvolvo** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 12:43 pm

Hi Bugatti
There is probably one simple explanation for this problem.
The cars get older and the first thing most drivers do when having charging problems is to renew only the voltageregulator on the alternator.
So the internals remains and get older and older.

Secondly one advice check the lead to the battrey.
Sometimes these tend to break due to metalfatigue on a point near the alternator under teh isolation.

And check for good earthing.

Good CEM
Gerrsvolvo

James Paul · Post by **James Paul** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 2:50 pm

Hi

Just for the record I had a problem on my old ES, my voltage meter intermitently read like 8volts!!!!

Found out that it was the brushes were dirty and needed to be cleaned or replaced. However the screws holding the brushes in place wouldn't budge so a new alternator was called for!!!

I have also noticed that in the dark months that my 480Turbo struggles to provide all the power needed to run lights, heater blower, stereo etc when i press the brake lights, not sure if my alternator is not powerfull enough to cope or is it my battery not holding the charge. Sugestions welcome.

Best of luck and thanks

James

James

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 3:51 pm

Dad had ago and gave up

Going on Monday to get it fixed.

Turbo Twat · Post by **Turbo Twat** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 10:40 am

Sorry mate, only just seen this, just to let you know that have just done altenator on mine (also has aircon) so if any advice needed let us know!!

And it is not a pig of a job with air-con, everyone told me this, but was suprised whan it took about twenty five minutes out and in!! Just need a cloth to rest the pump on as you move it out of the way to stop it scratching paint. . Any way let us know if more info needed!

kiboomiz · Post by **kiboomiz** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 10:48 am

just out of interest, how much can you get an alternator for these days? (mine's a 2.0l celeb w/aircon)

Turbo Twat · Post by **Turbo Twat** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 10:09 am

Mine cost 90squid, that was for a refurb, but would have been exactly the same price for a new unit (new units workn on an exchange basis; they need your old unit). Pretty sure that it would be easy enough to buy the parts and refurb the unit yourself, and a fuck load cheaper!! But I had a lot of work on at the time and just needed it done!!

volvofox · Post by **volvofox** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 3:08 pm

just answered at a previous thead about someone who had a blown fuse in the thick load cable between alternator and battery. maybe, holmes, its worth checking ?

Luck
JPF

Volvo 480 Club Europe

No charge! Broken down and left in the road!

No charge! Broken down and left in the road!

is everybody having charge problem?