Power System Service Urgent - Volvo S40

brennarr

Hey all,

I got the message "Power System Service Urgent" come up on my dash of my 2.0D Volvo S40 last night along with the red triangle and red battery light. Judging from a quick search on here, it seems the alternator is gone!?

Does anyone have a ball park figure on how much it costs to fix this problem and where in Dublin would be the best place to get it sorted?

Cheers!

brennarr

Any help would be appreciated!

YbFocus

Alternators can vary Massively in price, €40 from a scrappy to €300+ reconditioned. More again for a new one.

The removal and installation of the part is usually simple but I know nothing of your engine to be honest.

Bpmull

Just to add to Ybfocus the red battery light means your battery is discharging which does suggest the alternator is not working. You should bring the car to a mechanic straight away. As if you drive around with the battery discharging it will die eventually leaving you stranded with absolutely no power in the car and obviously it won't drive. How quick the battery dies depends on how many electrical parts are switched on lights fans etc.

DiamondC

Had the same issue with an '05 V50 2.0D about a year ago. Alternator was the problem but had it replaced under warranty (bought it a few months prior to this issue) by a Volvo dealer. Had it replaced again by an Indy about 2 months ago - €160 for the alternator + labour. €200...
Am now having an issue again with the new alternator where it won't fully charge the battery. Worst of all it's intermittent. When it happens, car goes into limp mode (drives but with no power) and if I park it for a couple of hours the battery drains. Am currently having the guy who supplied the alternator test it for me.
Have been told by another electrics guy that the problem is with the Central Electronic Unit which can only be worked on by a dealer . Just need to verify that the alternator is ok and then it's back to the dealer.
New alternator installed by Volvo will be €500.

brennarr

DiamondC wrote: »

Had the same issue with an '05 V50 2.0D about a year ago. Alternator was the problem but had it replaced under warranty (bought it a few months prior to this issue) by a Volvo dealer. Had it replaced again by an Indy about 2 months ago - €160 for the alternator + labour. €200...
Am now having an issue again with the new alternator where it won't fully charge the battery. Worst of all it's intermittent. When it happens, car goes into limp mode (drives but with no power) and if I park it for a couple of hours the battery drains. Am currently having the guy who supplied the alternator test it for me.
Have been told by another electrics guy that the problem is with the Central Electronic Unit which can only be worked on by a dealer . Just need to verify that the alternator is ok and then it's back to the dealer.
New alternator installed by Volvo will be €500.

I'll have to give the the Volvo dealer a call so, was thinking it'd be around €500 alright.

Can anyone recommend a good Indy in the Dublin area that could do the job for me?

brennarr

Just spoke to Koping volvo and they said "There are a number of reasons why this message can come on, we would need to carry out a diagnostic test in our workshop before we could cost up the repair for you"

Not looking forward to the estimate they'll give me

gonzo1

Is there a High Pitched Whining noise coming from the Engine Area when idling, and if so does it increase when you accelerate?

I ask this as I had this symptom last year with my '06 Volvo S40, and eventually the "Power Engine Management Light" came on.

I brought it to my Mechanic who in turn brought the Alternator to a Indy who specialises in Alternators / Starter Motors, etc.

My Alternator was then refurbished - i.e. suspect components were replaced with upgraded components and it's been fine ever since. A lot cheaper than bringing a '06 Car to the dealers. I can pm you the guy who is Co. Clare - O'Briens Bridge area if you want? He might be able to advise you further,

Bringing that car to the main dealers is going to cost you a bit of cash I feel, especially if it's out of warranty?

brennarr

Hi Gonzo,

Yes I've noticed that high pitch noise alright, starts off gently until I pick up a bit of speed so must be similar to your problem

Over the last few weeks the car wouldn't start with the first turn of the ignition key but would start ok with a second turn, would that be linked to the problem too?

Can I ask how much it was for you to fix your problem?

gonzo1

The starting problem may not be linked, more likely caused by carbon deposits building up in the throttle body / flap which is very common on these engines, see long guide about it here, I did this myself - and it helped an awful lot with the starting.

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=157241&highlight=throttle+body+cleaning

I think my Alternator refurb was around 60e for parts + labour, high pitched whining noise on these engines is the first sign that it is on the way out.

I'll pm you the phone no. of the guy that did mine,

keithclancy

brennarr wrote: »

Hi Gonzo,

Yes I've noticed that high pitch noise alright, starts off gently until I pick up a bit of speed so must be similar to your problem

Over the last few weeks the car wouldn't start with the first turn of the ignition key but would start ok with a second turn, would that be linked to the problem too?

Can I ask how much it was for you to fix your problem?

That starting thing, maybe ? Also could be the bad weather.

Rectifier is knackered in the Alternator most likely.

Because of its positioning if the person servicing your car was lazy and didn't remove the fuel line when servicing they can splash oil onto the alternator when removing the oil filter. (I do this but just cover the whole thing with a plastic bag when removing it)

I got a reconditioned one, I picked up one for 90 euros with exchange.

If you get an Indy to replace it make sure that he knows he needs the special vacuum pump to bleed the fuel line otherwise it will be a pain in the hole making up some tool to try and clear out the air to start the engine.

Theres a video explaining here how they recondition the Alternator:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuWUiBwP_4Q

rabii

Hi Folks,
Same problem last week driving from ennis to shannon i heard some noise in the engine, monday morning the car wouldn't start at all check the battery find 4.3V.
The recovery tried to jump start the car no sign of life at all
Volvo recovery they take the car since Monday and they didn't get back to me tell Friday they sad the Alternator is the problem so if i want it reconditioned that will cost me 130 to 160 or new for 425 + VAT and fitting
so i just had it reconditioned and i endup paying them 485.25euro :mad:

brennarr

That sounds a bit extreme, even for a new one. I ended up getting mine reconditioned for 180 euro in the end.

Horsebox55

Same happened my 2005 V50 last year, got power steering errors (power steering is electric) got alternator from Volvo, cant remember price and fitted myself. (not too hard of job)
There are 2 types, 120amp and 150 amp output, mine had the 150 so replaced with same. if you upgrade from 120 to 150 I think software upgrade from Volvo is needed.
I also replaced belt that drives it as this has to come off anyway.