Hi JerryC! Thanks for your reply. It sure does seem like the source of a problem wasn't fixed considering the white wire was cut. I did disconnect the wire and had the car jumped. When I got to Advance Auto, the battery was showing like 12.7 volts. I drove it around for a bit, and this morning the car started OK.

I have the button pushed in for the AC, but the orange light around it isn't showing. Unsure if a fuse blew. I don't recall if the light was showing when I first got it back after the wire was connected and then went out, though.

When I look back through the previous owner's history, here's what I get:

7/11: Battery at 245,056 miles
10/11: Belts for alternator, AC, power steering
11/11: Battery
6/12: Battery and voltage regulator
9/13: I got a new battery at 256,000 miles (the one in the car was showing a dead cell)

I did get a meter, but I can't figure out how to use it. I wish I could find someone who would come to my house and show me how to check out all this stuff, that's for sure. I gather that I could Google how to use a meter, but the instructions in the book are a bit over my head.

I have read online (not specifically about Volvos) that AC compressors can drain a battery because of a "clutch" or something that isn't right. I Googled "AC compressor draining battery?"

Even after all the work I had done, I still have an idle surge that's driving me nuts and a vibration in the car, which just seems to be all over. I do believe part of the vibration is from the rear brake light box on the rear windshield, but I don't know how to fix it. The idle surge is driving me more nuts than the vibration, though. My biggest concern is the drive to Phoenix and back, which is coming up the third week of November. I sure hope that all goes well with the trip!!

:)

Susan