Hi,
I own a 2006 XC90 V8 that has starte acting up a few days ago. The message "Power system service urgent" light up with the battery icon in red. I thought the battery was going so I went to pick one up. On my way back, all the different messages started popping up and brakes, anti-lock, skid control systems went in fault (with warning lights and all). I managed to drive in (barely) to a local garage (general mechanic, not volvo specific) and he thinks it is the alternator. The first price I got was 720$ for the alternator from a Volvo dealership (original Volvo rebuilt!). I checked on the web and saw Bosch for about 241$ (plus shipping and return of the old one). Does anyone know if rebuilt Bosch are ok for the XC90 (the specs say it is for the XC90 V8, but you never know...)? Is there anything tricky about changing out the alternator that a general mechanic might not know or learn the hard way and make me pay for it?
Thanks for any help

 

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. I am still waiting for the news about the alternator but I appreciate the warning and will make sure to pass it along to the mechanic once I get the call. I have been really impressed with this SUV for the last 2 years now. Not much to say but it is scary when something goes bad and the tentative costs go up like a rocket!! Concerning the Bosch alternator, does anyone know if it will do for the XC90 V8 or should I dish out triple for a Volvo rebuilt?
Thanks

 

Ok,I am perplexed now. The mechanic called me up stating he wasn't sure anymore the alternator needed to be changed. With a new battery, the charge volatge when the truck is running is 14.4v but after about 30min of idling, he noticed the voltage would jump down to 11-11.2 volts then suddenly go back up to 14.4...then down again to 11.2 and so on. Does the alternator get commands from the computer? Could this be a sign of a faulty computer or a computer needing software update? If not, is this a sign the alternator is going bad?
Thanks

 

Thanks a lot, I appreciate it. It is my first volvo and I have to admit that I am not well equipped to diagnose or do anything myself. It's a little frustrating when something like this happens and you can't do anything about it yourself. By the way, would you know a good source to get the alternator (should it be faulty) on the web? I made a brief check and in my area (Montreal), there seems to be a lot of 5cyl/6cyl alternators in stock but no V8 alternators. The only quote I was given for a Volvo rebuilt part was 675$ plus tax (not installed!!). I just looked briefly on the web and found a rebuilt Bosch one for about 240$... That's why I will probably need to find it myself if I don't want to drop an arm and a leg for this problem
Thanks again for your help

 

Hi all,
Just an update and follow up on this issue for anybody who might come accross this type of problem with their XC90.
The alternator was replaced with an aftermarket BOSCH alternator for the XC90 V8 and all symptoms seem to have resolved. The issue came from the alternator not being able to output the proper voltage all the time. It was fluctuating erratically from 11v to 14 v when the motor was running. To the mechanic, this was the second time he had seen this situation with a 2006 XC90 V8. Anyway, I'll see how this aftermarket alternator handles the long run and keep this forum updated.
Thanks

 

Hello,
I'm getting the same warning on my '06 XC90 V8 ("Power system service urgent" light up with the battery icon in red) and was wondering if your aftermarket Bosch alternator worked. I was told by a Volvo shop that even the aftermarket alternators made for the vehicle need to be changed in some way to ensure they work. If it did, please let me know where you bought the Alternator. If not, did you ever get resolution on the warning.
Thanks

 

I replaced the voltage regulator on the alternator with BOSCH FOOM346097 and it now works fine($55). They regulator is next to one of the catalytic converters and it gets too hot. There is a cooling duct that can be fitted (Volvo Part #30795212 and 30795440) that would help to stop it happening again. I got 7 years out of the first one, so I just replaced the regulator and hopefully I'll get similar out of this one. The cooling duct was something like $175?

 

Thank you... checked the power output when the light was on and it came back at 10.3 volts. With 155,000 miles on it I just did the alternator and regulator together. Like someone else said, for the price of the new alternator with the cooling vent, I figured if if lasted 8 years the way it was, I'd just throw in a rebuild of the original. Seems like the problem is solved. Again thanks!