Power system! Service Urgent! Car dead!

[VolvoRob38]

Hi all...

I have had a Reduced Engine Performance message and service due on the dash at start up for a few months, and I was just driving to my lockup when a red message popped up "Power System, service urgent". I continue on to my destination as I was 2mins away. The message disappeared after 1min and replaced with intermittent "anti skid temporarily off" message.

I turn the car off to get what I need from the lockup and had a quick google to see what these msgs are all about, got back in the car and its dead.... completely dead. Not even the buzz of the steering wheel lock when putting in the key.

I have briefly read; alternator, ecm... The battery isnt that old, but I dont drive it very often. Even now, I think this is the first time its been driven in over a week. I work from home so it doesnt get used, and when it does its usually short journeys around my local area.

Im stuck now about 5 miles from home, so will have to come back tomorrow with someone to try and bump it. Aleast to get it to a garage. My local volvo is 1 hour away, so not ideal!

Anyone experienced this before and know what to do?

TIA

P.s. the blue dials in one pic I got from another thread. The others are mine.

UPDATE: my mate just come with his jump leads and we got it started. First time the car died again as soon as we removed the jump leads. So did it again and left them on for a good 5mins and 2nd time it stayed running and I have now driven it home. If it starts tomorrow I will yake it on a long drive to charge it up.
Is there a possability that something is draining the battery? I narrowed the Reduced Engine Performance issue down to either the glow plugs themselves or their power source. I have been meaning to check their voltage for months.

As I dont use the car very often, could something as simple as the car alarm be draining the battery?

[Bendolfc]

Will be alternator. Common as anything on these.

[IainG]

Hi
Alternator as well.

They get an internal short.
I am on my 3rd!! (in 13 years)

Would be tempted to remove the battery straight away and charge it otherwise the short will kill the battery as well.

Iain

[VolvoRob38]

Originally Posted by IainG

Hi
Alternator as well.

They get an internal short.
I am on my 3rd!! (in 13 years)

Would be tempted to remove the battery straight away and charge it otherwise the short will kill the battery as well.

Iain

Is it caused by a short in the alternator? Could this cause a Reduced Engine Performance message I wonder...

Is there anyway to confirm its the alternator as well e.g. in Vida?

Thanks guys

[IainG]

Hi
When it happened to me all the systems started shutting down with the power steering pump and then finally the engine.

The alternator was too hot to touch and there was a bit of smoke coming from it.

I immediately disconnected the battery which saved it.
If you leave the battery connected that will very shortly be toast as well.

Is it caused by a short in the alternator? Could this cause a Reduced Engine Performance message I wonder...

As the voltage drops you will get systems shutting down and various warnings come up. So more than likely

Save your battery, disconnect it at least, and then charge it later

All the systems on this car are very reliant on good battery voltage, they will shutdown and/or give various warning messages when the voltage starts dropping. these shutdowns and warnings become more regular before the end.
My last one, it all happened within 15 minutes, various systems shut down multiple warnings and finally, a lot of heat, a bit of smoke and then total shut down

Iain

[VolvoRob38]

Originally Posted by IainG

Hi
When it happened to me all the systems started shutting down with the power steering pump and then finally the engine.

The alternator was too hot to touch and there was a bit of smoke coming from it.

I immediately disconnected the battery which saved it.
If you leave the battery connected that will very shortly be toast as well.



As the voltage drops you will get systems shutting down and various warnings come up. So more than likely

Save your battery, disconnect it at least, and then charge it later

All the systems on this car are very reliant on good battery voltage, they will shutdown and/or give various warning messages when the voltage starts dropping. these shutdowns and warnings become more regular before the end.
My last one, it all happened within 15 minutes, various systems shut down multiple warnings and finally, a lot of heat, a bit of smoke and then total shut down

Iain

I did notice my engine cover felt very hot to the touch. I was sat in the car for 15 - 20mins waiting for my mate, googling these codes. When I popped the bonnet after the engine was still super hot. Cooled down after 5mins with the bonnet open, but wasn't sure if that heat was normal.
Could a hot alternator heat the whole engine, or am I just making links that arent there?