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Alternator not working how long will the battery last

Tiny
STECUMMO
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 VOLVO S40
  • MANUAL
  • 153,505 MILES
Hi, all am having a lot of problems with my car. The main problem is my alternator went on my car yesterday, I have bought a battery charger for the battery. How long will the it last with out the alternator working?
Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 AT 5:56 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,464 POSTS
On a modern vehicle with all the electronics you might be able to drive it for about an hour on just the battery. Plus with the alternator not operating you will get a lot of error codes set because of the low voltage. Also, once the voltage drops far enough the immobilizer will trip and shut the car down. The better option is to get the alternator replaced and avoid a lot of headaches and a tow bill higher than the alternator replacement.

Now with that said, what leads you to believe it is the alternator? Battery light on or? The unit is about $300.00 online for an OE alternator. However they have an overrunning clutch pulley that can fail as well.
Replacement isn't hard. You remove the air filter housing and the alternator is bolted to the engine. Disconnect the battery negative. Remove the belt and unbolt the alternator. Remove the electrical connections and reverse the process to install the replacement.
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Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 AT 7:14 AM
Tiny
STECUMMO
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks for getting back to me, I know it is the alternator, because it broke down on me yesterday on the motorway and the AA came out to me an told me it was! The problem I have now is I was visiting my parents who live seventy miles away, but I had it booked in to the my local garage on Monday anyway to fix or replace my gearbox. Because at the moment I cannot get in to reverse and the cam belt and water pump in due to be replaced for the second time at 160,000 miles. But with me having all theses problems I am thinking is it really worth fixing because I have a feeling it is starting to fall apart? What would you recommend me do?
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Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 AT 9:44 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,464 POSTS
Without actual testing of the unit it is a toss up if it's actually bad or if it's a wiring or regulator fault. I've seen a lot of "bad alternators" turn out to be a bad cable or connector.

As for what to do, it would depend a lot on the condition of the body and the rest of the vehicle. If it is in very good shape and you like the car then it might be an idea to replace the engine with a re-manufactured one. That would get you a new engine, and usually a decent warranty. Or if it's a good vehicle but starting to show it's age possibly getting a lower mileage used engine and transmission is an option.
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Saturday, March 23rd, 2019 AT 10:48 PM
Tiny
STECUMMO
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi, do you know what gear box is in my Volvo s40 1.6L 2011/12 model, my car is in the garage and he is finding it difficult to find the correct second hand gearbox to put in?

I have been told it is a B6 ford box but the garage thinks its a specialized Volvo box an that the B6 ford box wont fit in?

I have spoken to Volvo and they have confirmed it is a B6 ford box to start with but they then recondition it to Volvo needs but they do think the the standard B6 ford box would still work? But the garage has been advised that it wouldn't fit in an is hesitate to take the gear box out until he finds out for definite as he does not want the my car stuck on the ramp if the B6 ford box does not fit?

Any advice urgently required as my car has been off the road for over a week an I need it for my job as am a taxi driver?
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Friday, March 29th, 2019 AT 4:56 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,464 POSTS
From what I can find the S40 with the 1.6 diesel used a variant of the M66 6 speed transmission that transmission was a mixed design between Getrag, Ford and Volvo. The internals are Volvo specific to match the engine and from what little is out there for information those internal parts are not readily available.
What is wrong with the current box?
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Friday, March 29th, 2019 AT 8:22 AM
Tiny
STECUMMO
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hiya, thanks for replying, the problem with the gearbox is it wont go in to reverse but other gears are fine?

I have ordered a 2nd hand gearbox from a Volvo breaker which he advised me its correct box for my car the b6 D2 version WHICH is the newest type of box! An should go in with no complications rather then getting a standard b6 Fordbox which can be used in muiltple cars

Does that sound correct information I have been advised?

What should I do with my old box is it worth keeping and getting repaired as a spare box once the job is complete?
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Friday, March 29th, 2019 AT 10:13 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Please post your new question here, you must be logged in.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, March 29th, 2019 AT 2:09 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,464 POSTS
I would opt for the correct box from the Volvo rather than the generic. As for the old box It depends on what is wrong with it. You might see if there is any core or trade in value on it. No real reason to store it unless you think you will damage the replacement.
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Tuesday, April 30th, 2019 AT 9:08 AM

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