[volve]

Hi everyone!

I hope it's okay that I post this here and not in maintenance section!

I have a Volvo 760 from 1990, 2.4, Intercooler & Turbo, "California Model (automatic transmission)."

The problem at hand:
The battery often discharges, to a minimum (it's not possible to make an ignition). Sometimes the battery discharges even during driving or iddling and ignition is not possible hereafter (before jump starting the battery).

The Volvo has been tested (and the battery changed changed), and the problem is not related to either the batery itself or the alternator! The wires going from the battery has been measured for resistance and the problem is not due to bad wirering...

Sometimes during driving, the car (i.e. the battery) will randomly discharge. To prevent this, it is sometimes possible to 'fiddle' with the sports-gear button on the shift, and get it 'back to normal' (not discharging). I'm convinced it's some (?) relay that might be broken, but I don't have a clue... ;-)
(The shift thing, might not be related to the problem)

I hope someone has some ideas, what to do or had the same problem!

Cheers Rasmus
Denmark

 

[Admin]

If the battery is discharging it is either a battery/alternator issue or something is on draining the battery. If you've checked the battery and alternator then there is something in the system activated and draining the battery.

 

[vjaneczko]

If the car is dying as you drive it because the battery has been drained, then that means that the alternator is not generating the power it is supposed to and the car starts using the battery juice instead. The battery's only job in life is to start a car, nothing else. If the engine is running, electrical power should be coming from the alternator. If the battery is being used while the engine is running, the alternator or its wiring is bad.

If the alternator was tested OK, then you have a problem with the wires connecting the alternator.

How did you come to the conclusion to " 'fiddle' with the sports-gear button" is a way to prevent the drain?