Dead battery

3HOLEPUNCH

MEMBER
1992 VOLVO 240
4 CYL
118,000 MILES

I have replaced the alternator twice and the battery four times since 11/2010, if the car sit for more than a day or two it is dead.

Thursday, April 28th, 2011 AT 8:07 PM

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Sounds like you have a drain on the battery. New batteries and generators won't fix that. To verify that, use an inexpensive digital voltmeter to measure battery voltage while the engine is running. If you find between 13.75 and 14.75 volts, the generator is working. Next, remeasure the voltage when the engine is stopped. If you find near 12.6 volts, the battery is fine and well-charged. That leaves something that isn't turning off. One common culprit is a glove box light that is staying on. A bulb that size will kill the battery in about a day.

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Friday, April 29th, 2011 AT 3:49 AM

3HOLEPUNCH

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I removed the glove box and removed the light however; the car is still dying. I notice that the locks on the door will lock by themselves, and the radio get hot. Any other suggestions? Thank you much for your help in this matter. I truly can use your input.

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Monday, May 9th, 2011 AT 4:05 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Sorry for the delay. High winds, trees down, power out, 'puter dead until a few minutes ago.

The radio should not get hot when the ignition switch is turned off. Any chance it's hot because some heater ducts are behind it? If the radio is still hot after the ignition switch has been off for a few hours, there is a problem in it.

Not sure what to make of the door locks. My only suggestion is there is likely a Body Computer involved. They cause a lot of trouble in other cars. I don't see why Volvos would be any different. Diagnosing that is best left to the dealer.

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Tuesday, May 10th, 2011 AT 5:19 AM