My mother in-laws 2000 XC70 is having an odd electrical problem. The other day after sitting in the garage all night the battery was so dead the keyless entry would not open the doors. No power to start the car so AAA was called. AAA noted the current coming from the alternator was a little low and recommended a new alternator (the battery is only one year old). The battery was charged and the car sat for about an hour. When we tried to start the car again it cranked but it would not start. AAA came again and jumped the battery and the car was then driven to the Volvo mechanic to be repaired. The mechanic checked the charging and the battery and found nothing wrong with either. Currently the car starts every time they try it so nothing has been replaced. The mechanic thinks there may have been a light on when the car was shut off which may have drained the battery. The car is staying at the mechanics shop for the rest of the week to test starting it and look for a possible short. Any clues as to what could be wrong?

2000 XC70 95K

 

Got the car back from the mechanic with a new alternator. Mechanic was not really sure if that was going to fix the problem. He suggested to carry a jump start unit just in case the car did not start again. I checked the positive connector in the fuse box and there did not appear to be any corrosion but I did not take the bolt off from the fuse box to check the contacts. Does the wire from the positive side of the battery get corroded after nine years?

 

The cooling fan or something like that staying on?

 

Well the car was fixed over a week ago and so far no issues. Not sure about the cooling fan since I don't drive the car that often. I believe it does stay on after the car is shut off.