I HAVE A 1987 VOLVO 213,00 MILES.MY PRIDE AND JOY. I LOVE IT EXCEPT FOR THIS PROBLEM. CHANGED ALTERNATOR AND NEW BATTERY ON 2/2/04. THIS STARTED WHEN INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED.(BRAKE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, ETC.) THEN ON 9/28/04 211,986 MILES IT DID IT AGAIN.7 MONTHS IT WAS OK. MECHANIC SAID REGULATOR WAS BAD. NEW ALTERNATOR PUTIN AGAIN. HE SAID REGULAOR WAS BUILT INTO ALTERNATOR. OK YESTERDAY 10/16/04 NOT EVEN 1 MONTH AND LIGHTS ON AGAIN. ILLUMINATING INSTRUMENT LIGHTS GO ON AGAIN.SO THUS FAR, 2 ALTERNATOR AND A NEW BATTERY. ANY SUGGESTIONS OR HELP ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED.....

Is the battery drained in each instance? If so, suspect the alternator charging circuit or the alternator panel lamp. See the 700/900 FAQ for details.

no, battery is not drained. today alternator #3 went in today. Seems to be fine for now. I guess I will just have to wait and see, if it makes it the next few weeks. thanks for your help. I love my car. Great and dependable except for the usual things that go on it now and then.

Usually when the alternator fails for the first time it is almost always because of worn brushes housed within the regulator body which is mounted by two screws to the backside of the alternator.

It takes 5 minutes to remove and replace the regulator....Very simple to do! They cost about $50........

Why are you replacing the whole alternator? About the only thing that usually fails with the alternator is a lot of miles that eventually ware bearings out! If unless you have shorted the alternator and burned up the windings, or have worn bearings, you need only to replace the regulator and usually can be done without removing the alternator.

VolvoSavvy........