1987 Volvo 240 DL Battery problems
 

I bought a new battery a few months ago. After a couple of months, the battery went dead and I could not start my car. I jumped the car and drove it down to the garage. They said they tested the alternator, starter, and battery. They said it was the battery and that it could have even been a defective battery. Since they had given me the first battery, they put in a new one again. It worked fine for about 6 weeks and then it happened again. Car would not start, seemed like the battery. Got the car jumped and drove around for a little while, probably about 10 min or a little more. Came back and parked the car. Tried immediately to start it back up and it would not start.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! :)

Hey I was going through the same problem a week ago. Went through 3 batteries, with the same results. First I would check the voltage regulator on the alternator and see if the brushes are good. But after almost wasting $100+ on a new alternator, I figured out my problem was that my Instrument cluster wasn't connected! I guess if its disconnected it doesn't signal the alternator to charge the battery, So double check everything is connected properly behind the cluster! Good luck

Most likely, the alternator is not self-exciting. I'd guess you have an automatic. If the excitor circuit is not continuous, it will not energize and begin charging until rpm's get above at least 2k. Since you apparently do not have a volt gauge installed, you probably don't have a tach either. Make certain when you have the key on, engine off, that the battery light comes on. If not, there is an issue in the excitor circuit. It could be the bulb as mentioned above, the small wire on the back of the alternator (gets broken easily during ham handed oil filter changes. As well, it could be that the alternator belt is not nearly tight enough.

Thank you both! I will check this out. Hopefully it will be one of these!