Battery needle goes to full, then back down again
 

Hello! I need help! I have an '82 244 with 50k original miles. Unfortunately I moved to a small town where these Volvo's aren't common. So the battery seems to be going full charge, lights will get brighter, fan will blow harder, and belts will squeal. After a minute or less, it goes down and things seem normal. Then the battery will start all over again going full blast.

Yesterday I went to get gas, then pulled around to the side of the gas station, and it died while idling. Luckily a mechanic was across the street who gave us a jump. The charge held and I was able to drive around town no problem. Would this be more in line with a voltage regulator problem, alternator, or something totally different? Thanks for your help in advance!

To properly check your charging you need a voltmeter. You can get one fairly cheap these days. With the car idling and accessories turned on (headlights, blower fan, etc.), measure the voltage at the battery. It should be above 13V. If it is lower, then you most likely have a problem with the alternator. When you rev up the engine, the voltage at the battery should not go above 14V. If it does, then you most likely have a problem with the voltage regulator.

Thank you! I'm seeing the local mechanic after lunch and I'm bringing this with me! Never hurts to have specific info. Like, had I known about my car's year and tricky fuse box, I could have avoided buying two new fuel pumps when I found the problem myself-a faulty fuse. =)

Ok, just got back from the mechanic's and he said it was charging 16v. But it seems that the regulator is inside the alternator so I have to buy the alternator anyway. ha!

no, the regulator should be on the back of the alternator on all these cars, unless the very early ones were different.


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21OE1V8AN5L.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1...lt_connect.jpg

Oh...so well I just took a quick photo of mine because it doesn't look exactly like it. Is that black box the voltage regulator?
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/...d00bca4a_c.jpg

yeah, looks like it. odd looking one, I've not seen one like that.

Or it may totally external, not attached to the alternator at all... At any rate, you do have one somewhere...

an alternator with an external VR would have more wires. I just see B+ (fat red), D+ (skinny red), and ground (blue with red cover).

I found an VR that looks like that box, online where I bought the alternator (alternator said it had internal VR 70 amps) so I guess I'll find out when it comes in. This Volvo sat in a garage for almost 20 years before the Volvo dealer bought it, and sold it to us. Some of the wiring above the alternator has to be redone too as it's been stripped of the protective covering.

The VR box is here: 82 1982 Volvo 245 Voltage Regulator - Engine Electrical - Bosch, Kaehler, Standard Motor Products - PartsGeek

82 was the beginning of the 'biodegradable wiring' era for Volvo. they fixed it in late 87 or 88.

that alternator /looks/ just like the later ones.

hmm. vadis says they used like 9 different models of Bosch 55A-70A-80A alternators on the B21F, which I presume is the engine you have. can you try and find a number on that alternator like 0 120 4xx xxx ? the last three digits are enough. that will let me figure out what regulator you need.

bosch PN ==== volvo # = rating = volvo regulator
=======================================
0 120 400 932 - 1235908 - 55A - 244332 + capacitor 1219852
0 120 489 066 - 1308720 - 55A - 3523710 + capacitor 1259579
0 120 489 065 - 1323487 - 55A - 3523710 + capacitor 1259579
0 120 489 295 - 1348508 - 55A - ??
0 120 450 009 - 1258367 - 70A - 244332 (no capacitor)
0 120 450 008 - 1258995 - 70A - 244332 (no capacitor)
0 120 469 586 - 1308723 - 70A - 3523710 ' '
0 120 469 567 - 1323490 - 70A - 3523710 ' '
0 120 469 795 - 1363496 - 80A - ??

this is the 3523710 style regulator, bosch 1-197-311-028
Volvo Voltage Regulator Brush Pack BOSCH 103064 1197311028, 3523710, 30093, 1197311023

and I'm fairly certain that volvo 244332 is bosch 1-197-311-090, which is this one.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-...tor-1197311090.... your square one is probably Bosch 0 192 052 006, which is compatible with this.

Wow, you are a lifesaver! The alternator's ending numbers were 567 (0 120 469 567). Thank you so much for all of your help, I truly appreciate it. Happy Holidays!