Electrics: Battery/alternater cable

[Tony s]

Hope i'm in the right place- my first post ever-
I could do with some help with an S40 2008 2.0d i bought about 8 weeks ago.
It has blown the fused link on the starter/alternator cable....i got a replacement which blow again the next day.
so what do you think is it likely to be the starter (replace in 2015) or the alternator?

Thanks in advance

[ThomasG]

Not enough info to know..
But try this:
Get someone to help
Install new link, again
Unplug both cables of alternator- typically(this is general procedure for any car, not only V/S40) smaller one that feeds alternator coils, and bigger return
With helper watching the link- start the motor, if link blows- its starter.
Try several tines to be sure if not blown on first attempt.

Otherwise- it looks like its alternator.

[Tony s]

Thanks for advice.
when you say get new link?is it possible to replace the links cause it looks like a factory fitted lump on the end, not something I could replace?

[ThomasG]

I thought you said you got it replaced once already?

[Tony s]

let me add a little detail...I had to order a whole cable from battery to starter to alternator.
most cost effective way is car recyclers at £40 a time so far I've gone through 2 cables.

[ThomasG]

Any way you could provide photo of blown part?

[green van man]

Fuses fail because of over current, for the altinator to blow it I would expect the battery to be steaming so would initially be checking the starter motor.

At £40 a pop it may just be cheaper to change the starter motor and altinator unless you have access to some test equipment. A DC clamp ammeter will tell you what current the starter is drawing and the altinator producing, however the cheapest I know of is a Kewtec at £90 .

Is the battery in good condition and have you had it tested? A duff battery with shorted cells can place in effect a near short circuit accros the altinator causing it to run at maximum output constantly.

We're it my car I would be,
1 getting battery tested/ replaced
2 checking/replacing starter motor
3 checking/replacing altinator

It may be cheaper in the long run to engage the services of an auto electrician with the necessary test equipment to isolate the fault, the alternate is to replace everything or keep shelling out £40 a time for the fused lead.

Paul.

[Tony s]

Thanks for the info.
I've call a auto diagnostic guy

[green van man]

Originally Posted by Tony s

Thanks for the info.
I've call a auto diagnostic guy

Hope it works out for you. Fixing the fault is the easy bit, finding it can be a real pain.
Last Volvo altinator I baught was 20 odd years ago and was £120 then.
The only other thing I can think of is to check there is no damage to the leads such that they short out to the engine or body work. If you are happy it's not the wireing then it has to be one of the components.

Paul.

[Tony s]

so far so good... changed starter motor all seem sort of OK... drivers alright just seem down on power.
I'll have to take it a garage and check I haven't pull any lead/pipes to something important like the turbo.
Thanks for your guidance