88 245 Something blew in dash, wipers won't stop, bad alternator
 

hi all,
so i have had ongoing electrical problems with the volvo for a while. when i drove the brake, parking brake, bulb out, service lights would slowly fade on if i got over 40mph, also the heater blower would always be on low even if i switched it off. took it to the mechanic they couldn't figure it out either the alternator or a bad ground somewhere...i opted to look at it myself but never got around to getting deeper into it. then a couple days ago on the way to work going 65mph something electrical blew with a little smoke in my center dash and my wipers started working automatically, then a second thing blew.

when i got back to my car to go home the battery was dead and i had to jump it. on the way home i noticed that the wipers got faster as i drove faster and dash lights got brighter or dimmer. i also noticed on my voltmeter i was putting out a max of 16volts on the freeway and also that a headlight went out on the way home.

so i realize that the alternator volt regulator had gone bad and am in the middle of replacing the alternator. i looked at the dash where i saw the electrical explosions (my center console was partway unattached) but couldn't detect where exactly they might have come from. also the battery is still good, just checked it at oreilly.

i guess i'm wondering if anyone knows what parts i might need to replace or check at this point before starting my car with the new alternator.
thanks so much sorry it's a long post.

Start with replacing that voltage regulator, not necessary to change the whole alternator... See how it goes. All these crazy symptoms might be due to the high voltage. When you say "explosions", I assume some poetic license...

if smoke came out, SOMETHING behind your dash or in the ventilation air path melted and burned, and that something is now an accident waiting to happen.