"Charging failure Service urgent" plus red battery light

[Paul Bearer]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

I know it may be a bit of a wait, but I'd be inclined to book it into a garage and don't use the car until then (if at all possible). I know its not a job you fancy doing yourself as you mentioned, so leave it to the professionals.

Short journeys to the shops won't help, although I know we all have to do it. Starting and stopping the engine puts pressure on the belt and the alternator. Its not a risk you want to take if at all possible. If that belt snaps or the alternator packs in, your engine will be destroyed. The whining noise is your warning.

Thanks for your reply, yes I am aware of the potential disaster, its a case of needs must, as it often the case when you need a car the most is when the damn things break down, I am under the doctor and may need hospital treatment, not that I would risk using the car for that, there are buses

I am quite capable of doing the replacement but am weary of mucking around with cars, so far no sign of when my bloke will have time to look at it, he is usually quite good and fits me in but wil have to wait and see

Awaiting a doctors call, then can take a look at the belt & alternator free play

What I am still unsure of is the whining noise that started a few weeks back, as its only in motion I can't tell what it is, could be the alternator bearings but equally could be tensioner or something totally different

[Simmy]

check for any local mobile mechanics some have mileage limitations that they will travel but it another option for you. to consider ask for a quote not an estimate so the job is not open ended

[Paul Bearer]

Originally Posted by Simmy

check for any local mobile mechanics some have mileage limitations that they will travel but it another option for you. to consider ask for a quote not an estimate so the job is not open ended

Thanks yes have considered it but like most garages they are booked up with tourists

[Simmy]

tell them you are a tourist sometimes you just need to work the system a little good luck i hope you find a solution soon.

[Paul Bearer]

Originally Posted by Simmy

tell them you are a tourist sometimes you just need to work the system a little good luck i hope you find a solution soon.

Its a nice thought but I don't think they prioritise tourists, its just that there are so many of them at this time of year

As sods law would have it, just had a call from my youngest daughter whose car is also causing trouble, and now I have a doctors appointment this afternoon

It never rains, but it pours, oh joy

[Paul Bearer]

Well had a look as best I could just now

I can't get anywhere near the belt to say if its loose, tight or to check the bearings on the alternator

So as I said it stood for over 9 days unused, and has only done three miles since

Checking the battery this morning its 11.9v before starting

On start up and tick over its 14.2+v

Left it running a few minutes, no lack of charge warning messages but that only came up after a couple of miles before

No sign of a whine or noise of any sort from the alternator area, the Aux belt was changed in December 2022

[Whyman]

A fully charged battery should read 12.7v each of the 6 cells gives just over 2.1v.

At 11.9 v your battery is effectively dead but might just start the engine.

How old is the battery? It might be time for a new one!

[Kev0607]

You said it had a new battery in September 2022, but what battery is it? (Brand/what cold cranking amps). CCA should be written on the top of it somewhere.

Maybe the alternator isn't your problem. The battery could be.

[Simmy]

with readings like the ones posted i too would suspect the battery little or low useage of cars is not good i'm surprised the op dose not have a multitude of warning lights/ codes showing as i have said before volvos are very intolerant of low voltage situations.

[Kev0607]

Yeah. If the battery is iffy and the car is only doing short journeys, its not getting time to charge up properly.