I own a 1993 Volvo 240. I removed my alternator and tested it at three different parts houses, and it passed all three tests. However, once I put it back on the car and drove it back to those parts houses (with a brand new battery), the handheld tests said that the alternator was not working...any suggestions? Thanks.

 

Make sure the skinny red wire has a good connection at the back of the alt. It carries the excitation voltage for the field windings.

Does the battery/charge light come on while you crank the engine?

 

Bluegoose...

Thanks for your quick response. Concerning the light-I had found a previous post where another person was experiencing the same problem that I am having. Someone suggested that may have been the problem, but I checked the light and it is on whenever I turn the key to "on".

As far as checking the wire, are you talking about the wire that goes directly into the block? If so, it is secure. My brother is going to come over with a voltmeter tomorrow and check some other wires. I'm thinking that maybe there is a short somewhere between the alternator and the battery.

Would I be experiencing this problem if the voltage regulator is bad?