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Is my alternator dying? 850

posted by  Chinaman on  Tue Mar 4 04:37 CST 2003
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Hey guys, I'm looking for your opinions if my alternator is about to kick it on me. I've got a 94 850 with the original alternator. Seems we've been hit with a fair amount of cold recently in toronto, and my volvo...... well just is'nt liking it frankly. Gotta get my friggin pnp changed asap.

Anyways, when my car is idling, and I turn on my rear defrost or any other high use electrical doodad, ie seat heaters etc. I notice my rpm's dip a slight amount. it usually idles around 900 rpm, but when I turn the thing on, it drops to a rough 800 or so.

Is my alternator not putting out enough juice? Just wondering if anyone else has this experience.

Thanks,
Kevin








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    Is my alternator dying? 850

    posted by  Gerald C on  Tue Mar 4 14:08 CST 2003
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    You need an electrical system checkout. Most Sears will do this. Also, don't underestimate the possible symptoms of a failing battery. If your battery is >4 years, it's an automatic suspect.

    Gerald C








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    Is my alternator dying? 850

    posted by  Larry P on  Tue Mar 4 09:16 CST 2003
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    last visit: Fri May 1 13:19 CST 2009
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    You need to apply a voltmeter to this baby to help understand what's happening. If the voltage is staying up with all that electrical load on it, then the alternator is doing its job and consequently loading the engine down a bit, which it should. IF the RPM drop is troublesome, it may be a problem in the idle control mechanism. Do you have an AT? Does the idle drop when you move from N to D? It should hold at about the 900.








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      Is my alternator dying? 850

      posted by  93&97850 on  Tue Mar 4 11:17 CST 2003
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      my 93 is doing the same thing

      any tips would great








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        Is my alternator dying? 850

        posted by  Flying Dutchman on  Tue Mar 4 16:25 CST 2003
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        It's not all that uncommon for the rpm's to drop a bit when draw is placed on an electrical system. Defrosters use a ton of juice.

        It woudl be worth having it tested, but I wouldn't worry too much. Next time when you're drivving at night, press your window button to go up when the window is closed, you'll notice the lights dim when you do this.
        --
        96 850 GLT 5-Speed








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          Is my alternator dying? 850

          posted by  ahles5 on  Sat Mar 8 07:13 CST 2003
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          last visit: Fri Jun 8 04:35 CST 2007
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          Change the alternator on my 93 850 this winter. I had similar symptoms, alot of draw would drop rpms. Bought a replacement Bosch from thepartsbin.com Changed out the alternator after removing most of the front side of the engine compartment. Prior to returning the core I took apart the brush assembly to see what was going on. The inner brush had cut a grove into the armerature about 1/8" deep. While the alternator had not failed, it was not going to be long before it did. Good investment.

          Local autozones will also do electrical systems check usually for free. My local zone tested the system, and found the alternator only putting out minimal amps prior to replacement.






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