Recently my 96 volvo 960 sounds like the battery is almost dead when I try to start. Turns over very slow..but starts...runs fine...drive to my destination less than a mile away...turn it off. 5 min later very slow turn over but starts...get home...turn off. Open hood to check battery and red cable is hot to the touch....Two hours later..try to start car...slow turn over...then click click click as if the battery is dead..
Any idea's...please help.. Also after the car started the first time after the slow cranking...the positive cable was warming up and continued to increase in temperature while engine was running...however i noticed no smoking or irregularity as to how the motor was idling ....no warning light on dash...nothing. I also (while engine was idling) disconnected the negative battery cable to see if engine would shut off...it didnt...so I assume my alt. is working...???

 

A sure sign of high resistance/bad connection.
Voltage Drop Testing - a helpful tutorial.
Start at the hot spot- post to terminal connection, cable to terminal connection, and on down the line. Then you start on the ground side and work your way through.
Ed

 

i purchased new positive side battery cable connector...stripped frayed wires down until i got solid breaded wires..and connected new connector....cleaned both posts and reconnected. jumped car..it started...checked wires...red cabled stayed cool. Drove around for 20 min to charge battery....checked cable again when i got home....nice and cool...thanks guys