Hi All:

My 2000 V70 base is not charging properly. It is still quite cold here in Ontario (-15C). Yesterday I ran an errand. When I left the store the car barely started, which was a surprise, since I installed a new battery earlier this winter and measured 13.7V across the battery terminals with the car running then.

When I got home and shut the car off, it would only click when I tried to restart it. I put a charger on it so I could diagnose it once it would start again.

I noted the positive battery cable was warm, which I know is indicative of high resistance. After some reading, I suspected the B+ cable. This morning the battery was fully charged, so I started the car and started taking measurements.

With the headlights on, blower on, rear defrost and a seat heater on, I measured 12.5V across the battery terminals-- this is low-- I expected 13.7-14.2V, probably on the low side because of the cold.

I measured a voltage drop of 0.05V on B+ between battery + and the fuse box, suggesting this was not the problem-- from what I read, 10X this voltage drop would indicate a problem. The ends did not look corroded.

I measured 13V between the big red wire connection at the back of the alternator and ground (a bit less when the accessories were all on).

Based on these measurements and the observation of a warm positive battery cable, I am suspicious of that cable. I am a little worried about the alternator output as well.

If anyone has any additional test suggestions before I start buying parts, I`d appreciate them.

Thanks!