Started the car up today and the el sys service required light and battery light was on. I attempted tp drive it anyway hoping the battery was just cold and needed to warm up. After about a minute or two the car completely stopped getting gas but engine still running (which was quite odd feeling). Brake failure and abs lights came on. Again engine still running. I was on a hill so was able to coast down to a safe spot to pull over. After a couple of minutes the engine did weaken and when I turned it off it would not restart. Luckily the persons whose house I pulled in front of had a booster pac. Car started but would not hold a charge. We managed to get it home but we will not be able to drive it to the shop. We would have to have it towed so we want to try a couple of things first. Does this sound like battery, alt or voltage reg ..... or something electrical? I have had batteries and alts go in my other volvos but never had a car where it completly stopped getting gas before the engine quit. Also in recent days I have not noticed any signs of a weakened battery. Is it reasonable to try and see if it is simply the battery? Or does it sound like it is something else? Thanks

J

 

What year car do you have? How old is the battery?

 

Car is a 2001 xc wagon.
Battery has about 100,000 miles on it and 5 years old I think.

 

Again though symptoms came on suddenly.

 

It's likely that your alternator has died and your car was just using up what was left in the battery.
Charge the battery and check the voltage with the engine running.
You should get an output above 13.5v up to 15v.
Check with your local starter/alternator shop for help and decent pricing.
Ed

 

Thanks Ed
We did give a new battery a go. .... of course it was not the problem.
We will probably bring it in to our volvo mecanic on Wed. They have rebuilt alternators at what sounds like a reasonable price.
I guess I am trying to be sure first as with two of my volvos I have had alt problems but neither actually needed an alternator.