sent to me by the volvo dealer parts guy.

 

I would classify that as two steps forward and one back so at least you're still ahead of the game !!

 

Turns out that the problem was indeed the Alternator - Despite bench testing every time as good, it was bad! I may have been able to get away with replacing just the regulator component but I figured that it was better in the long run to replace the whole thing since it was out and all.

As to the broken bolt ... Major suckage! It was the one that fastened the Power Steering / Serpentine Idler bracket to the engine block (top left as you look in from the timing belt side). The end projected through the engine lug enough for me to get on it with a pair of needle-nose vise grips and about 45 min. and a lot of swearing later, it fell out.
I bought the replacement for a couple bucks from the Volvo dealer and ... it wasn't like any of the other bolts that I had taken out!
NOTE TO SELF ... Use extreme care in the future when replacing any bolts that may have been previously removed ... like all of them! When it seems like it's not tightening properly, it probably isn't. It would have been much less frustrating and pretty inexpensive to buy a new bolt set from the beginning ...

Anyway - thanks for all the assistance ... and for assistance I expect to need in the future! Might be pretty soon - I have a timing belt replacement in my near future, then I think one of the bearings might be making noise ... and the back-up lights aren't working ... and I'm pretty sure the ignition switch needs to be replaced...

Peace!

 

Cool.

As for the reverse lights, I had a bad head light switch once that caused that problem. You can try moving your shifter a little to see if there is a sweet spot that will make them come on.

Timing belt should be visited real soon if you have a noisy roller. It may be trying to seize already. I pulled one once that was so hard to turn I had to use 2 hands. I believe I got to it just in time. Not worth the risk.

Ignition switch is cheap and easy.

 

"and for assistance I expect to need in the future!"

Just when I thought we were done with you !!

BTW, I used to recommend a battery upgrade to a group size 48. The stock battery is a group size 47 at around 600 cold cranking amps (CCA). They stopped making the 48's so when mine bite the dust I found that a group size 24F is a little taller but fits without any issues and adds 150 cold cranking amps !! 600CCA stock vs. 24F at 750 CCA
It's a nice boost on those cold, cold mornings.

2018 edit: The group size 48 wasn't discontinued it was just unavailable in my area back then for a period of time.