well, its possible an alternator problem killed the battery (ie totally drained it) so that's probably what your mechanic is going to do next - recharge the battery then do some voltage and current measurements to see if the alternator is charging with the engine running and if there is a current drain when the key off. Not uncommon for the voltage regulator to fail (its a diode bridge so if one diode fails the max output voltage could fall short or even drop to zero or short a path to ground thus draining the battery). Also they'd need to inspect the battery cables and connections to the starter, alternator and ground.

 

150060, more than I hoped, but least I now know

 

It is dead again and I have signed up to drop 2900 on head gasket, alternator and battery . . . . I think I am committed to keeping this car now because it makes me think of my father who wanted me to have a safe Volvo!

And I now qualify to put classic plates on it, I bought a set of the awesome 1996 150 Years of Statehood plates

 

Why a new head gasket? Loss of compression?

 

It overheated. It apparently needs a new fan module as well so it is still at the shop waiting on that.

My Camry has broken down and is at the shop to so I am stuck borrowing a car from my mom

 

The A.C. went out so had that fixed as well. Headlights won't come on so once the wiring diagrams I ordered come in will take it back to the shop to try and get that resolved

I have been enjoying being able to drive her around in the daylight and hope to get her classic plates soon since she is 25

 

After a 3 month Odyssey at the shop she is now moving again with yet another new battery (the second new battery of said Odyssey, one battery was replaced then died before even got it back), because still no-one can fix whatever is killing the drain, the new suggestion is to do an hour of Freeway driving every week

Power steering was fixed again, new tires, new water pump and timing belt, A.C. recharged (coke back in 10 days so we can check the dye) and I have a list of 5 grand in additional recommended repairs for the next few months

I love my car, I would love her much more if I could keep her actually going, but, I was able to get my cool year of manufacture plates renewed!

I've gotten a raise, gotten into owning a mobile home and thus out of paying rent, so my finances look better for keeping her rolling