Battery warning light on 98 V70XC

[clandyuk]

Well, after a fortnight of no further battery warnings I was thinking that the "glitch" had repaired itself.

Should have known - the V70 was just luring me into a false sensde of security - because today the light came back on.

Happened in almost the exact same place that it usually does (but hasn't for the last 2 weeks) - 1.5 miles from a cold start, down a particular road and stays on for 30 secs/0.5 mile or so and then goes out as if nothing was amiss.

Maybe someone is developing a V70 death ray in the vicinity and went on holiday these last two weeks?

Most perplexing. I'm making sure my recovery organisation is all up to date and will tough it out until the <inveitable total failure> occurs at the most inconvenient time.

Any more suggestions welcomed tho.

[Luxobarge]

Agree with the possibility of it being the electrical part of the ignition switch, it's a common failure on these and can indeed give odd symptoms.

However if it were me I'd be replacing the brushes in the alternator, this could give the symptoms you describe and even if it isn't that, they'll be well worn by now and it will give the alternator a new lease of life and some peace of mind in the shape of a bit of preventative maintenance. Shouldn't be expensive either.

[clandyuk]

Well, I think I might have found the culprit - alternator pulley.

My hearing isn't what it was and I happened to lift the bonnet whilst the engine was running.
The alternator pulley is making a pretty loud noise and so I'm thinking that might be the problem. I guess it could be temporarily seizing when the engine is overrunning and that the "location" is probably the first time it happens after a cold start - finger crossed. It obviously needs replacing anyway, so we'll see.

Am awaiting a replacement from Volvo as MY Bosch alternator has a nut - not a spline - holding the pulley. All the replacement pulleys I've seen on the Web are splined versions, hence having to go to Volvo.

Now comes the next problem - how to undo the nut. The alternator tool kit (Sealey SX400) has the spline bit to lock the internal alternator shaft but it doesn't have a suitable socket to fit the external nut. I guess I need a 28mm(?) socket with flats on to achieve this.
Anyone know where to get one, please?

D'uh - just realised all I need is a 28mm offset ring spanner to do the job.
Volvo Classic Parts will take 10 days to get the pulley so watch this space!!

[clandyuk]

10 days on and my alternator pulley has just arrived from the <secret> Volvo Classic storage.

Holding it in my hand @ dealer and I see that it's just that - a pulley! No overrun clutch or whatever and so I politely handed it back, apologised and beat a hasty exit with my £88 safe.

Meanwhile, whilst waiting for above delivery, I squirted some PTFE into the area behind the pulley and haven't had the battery light warning since.

So that's current state of play and I'm now reverting to Plan "X" - wait until something fails catastrophically and then deal with that.

MoT is due at end of next month, so will revisit general state of "things" if it passes.

If anyone is desperately in need of a V70 Cross Country with 173K miles, with working AWD then I'm open to discussions as I really don't need/use its capabilities these days.

Cheers.

Andy

[vanno]

While we’re on the subject, I’ve just checked the voltage across the battery which is 12.2 cold then increases to 13.5 when running which would indicate the alternator is charging but should I expect a higher voltage say around the 14v+ mark? Thanks.

[Luxobarge]

Yeah, I'd expect 14V or more when running with minimal electrical load. Mind you I'd expect more than 12.2V when switched off, too. If your pulley is faulty then sure that needs to be sorted out but as said before I'd be thinking about a new brush pack too. Or better still an exchange alternator could be the way to go, don't know if that would come with a pulley though.

[rabbituk]

Originally Posted by Luxobarge

Yeah, I'd expect 14V or more when running with minimal electrical load. Mind you I'd expect more than 12.2V when switched off, too. If your pulley is faulty then sure that needs to be sorted out but as said before I'd be thinking about a new brush pack too. Or better still an exchange alternator could be the way to go, don't know if that would come with a pulley though.

Not sure if this is a reply to both OP and vanno. I think the OPs alternator is the problem by the sounds of it if it is the case that squirting PTFE onto the shaft makes the issue go away. That suggests a bearing in the alternator is at fault doesn't it? I would not have thought that replacing the brushes (if that is even possible on these) would help any.