Volvo AWD V70-XC70 Forum

INDEX FOR 1/2026(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 12/2001 V70-XC70 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


 VIEW    REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

Probably Alternator V70-XC70 1998

posted by  someone claiming to be cn on  Mon Oct 30 16:49 CST 2006 [RELATED]

An old-fashioned way to see if the alternator is bad:

With engine running, disconnect the ground lead to attery for about 2 seconds, if engine dies, then the alternator is gone.
The reason is: when engine running, even without a battery, the alternator provides the current needed for spark.
Now w/o the battery, if the alt is good, no problem.
Now w/o the battery, if the alt is BAD, no sparks, engine dies.

Do not disconnect the ground cable too long (a very very very small risk of spike that can affect electric system).

I have performed this test many times on many cars (Honda, Volvo, BMW) and everytime it accurately diagnose the alternator to be the CULPRIT (if engine dies when gound cable disconnected and the alt is truely bad).

cn






THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD

New Electrical problem...no start ..no run [V70-XC70][1998]
posted by  Jac912  on Tue Oct 24 14:57 CST 2006 >


<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.