Hello Melissa:

As the car is not here in front of me, all I can surmise is that the
alternator is the issue--and this is the very first thing I'd check.

You mention the alternator was "reconditioned" 3 months ago.
Was this done by a shop? Or did you buy a rebuilt or remanufactured
alternator and install it or have it installed. If any of those are
the case, it should be covered by some sort of warranty.
The "squalling" noise (same as "squealing?") indicates to me one of
two things: first would be an improperly tensioned belt (ie. not tight
enough and easy to check.)

If the belt does not appear to be loose and was replaced when the
alternator was, my best guess is failing bearings in the alternator.

Note: spray a bit of water on the alternator to simulate a rainy day.
If the "squalling" gets worse is is almost certainly bad alternator
bearings.

Reconditioned or remanufactured components are not necessarily a bad
thing--but the level of quality control is not what it was years
ago--either here in New York or in Australia.

When I was in secondary school I worked for  local Volvo dealer;
if a car came into the shop and needed an alternator the customer was
consulted and asked if they wished to have a new one--or the old one
repaired. Most opted for the repair, and the part was sent out to a
local shop and returned in hours as good as new.

That shop the dealer used is still in business and I needed an
alternator totally rebuilt in a hurry so stopped by and was told "we
don't do ANY automotive work these days.just can't compete on price."
Their focus now is on large industrial electric motors as price is not
an issue and they can still generally deliver same day.

The real problem is even finding parts for rebuilding an automotive
electric motor. Case in point: the rear wiper motor on my 240 wagon
failed. I tool it apart and saw all it needed was new brushes and the
brush holder. Total repair would have taken me less than 30 minutes
but I failed to find a source for the parts anywhere here or in other
countries for that Bosch motor--thus had to buy a "remanufactured"
unit for $100. I could have fixed it for parts that can;'t cost more
than $10 USD.

I gather the situation is much the same in Oz. Inexpensive auto
electrical parts are sold by chain stores as rebuilt and one pays a
core charge--which is refunded when the customer brings back the old
part. Those alternators etc are then sent to China, Malaysia, Mexico
or whatever country is offering the best wholesale price for rebuilds.

One poster had a valid suggestion but was thinking of the US market.
His idea was that you take the car to a retail chain store that sells
auto parts and have them test it as many here in the US will do that
(AutoZone, Advance Autoparts etc.)

The only chain like that I'm aware of in Australia is AutoOne. I seem
to recall from my last visit that AutoOne is the largest outfit of
that typeand has nearly 200 stores. Whether or not they offer free
alternator testing is something I simply don't know. I do recall
another chain with a name like AutoBarn but could be wrong on the
exact name. I do remember they only have 90 stores or so in Australia.

Here's a link for AutoOne: http://www.autoone.com.au/default.asp

Anyway, good luck but DO have the alternator tested--and don't drive
far from home until it's sorted out or you will be facing a walk and a
tow job. If an alternator goes bad on an FI Volvo once the battery is
depleted even a jump start won't keep you going until that battery is
fully charged by a charger or a new alternator.

Cheerio,

Doc

Hi Melissa

I seem to remember you're in Victoria, in which case RACV rather than
NRMA, but he's right. If you're not a member you should be; annual
membership is a lot less than a night out, and heaps less than *good*
night out. And if it is a slipping belt they can fix it. For free.