Hi!
My beautiful, beloved, and practical 1995 Volvo 850 stationwagon has been dying when it sits for 3-5 days. At first I thought that it was due to the cold weather, so I was sure to drive it daily when it was snowing. But as it warmed up, my battery still drained after sitting for a couple days. Every time, I would call AAA and they would get it started no problem. I took it to a mechanic who did a basic “used car check” and didn’t find anything with the starter, transmission, etc that would cause a battery drain. My next step was to replace the battery, which I did a couple months ago. But alas, the battery has died once again. My thought is that it is due to an electrical issue? I have noticed that when driving, the speakers fade in and out based on whether I’m going uphill, or turning right or left 
. I thought that this was just a quirk but perhaps it’s indicative of a greater electrical issue? I’m not sure what my next step should be, if I should try to fix this myself or how much I should expect to pay for someone to troubleshoot for me? I would appreciate suggestions!
Thank you,
Hollie (Kansas City, MO)
I think this may be an alternator problem. Your battery isn’t being fully charged when driving, like it should. Did this start to happen soon after either you gave another car a jump start, or your own car got a jump start? If so, it’s quite likely a diode in the alternator was damaged.
What I’d do if this were my car is take it to one of the car parts retailers that offers free on-car battery and alternator testing. I suspect you’ll discover the alternator is on the fritz.
The trouble could be with the alternator but it also could be something else causing the trouble. Here is a link to a site that shows you how to deal with this kind of trouble and track it down. You may want to have a shop do this work for you.
I may have had the same issue! I fixed it my self for free! It was the light in the glovebox.
As he car has aged the stickers have come off here and there. One of these was the switch for the light bulb in the glove box. I removed the light bulb and the problem was fixed. Let it be know. That 5-6 hours of diagnosis went in before the solution was found.
As a simple test when it’s dark outside see if you see any light escaping around the door jams or doors. Additionally I’ve heard of it being the trunk, door vanity(the ones that illuminate the ground when the door is open), glovebox, engine bay. The next step is to feel the light bulb cover when the light has been on for a short time. If its hot, the bulb has been burning a while.
The complicated test is to use a current meter, remove a battery cable, connect it in series. The reading should be less than .02 amp
You’re talking to a brick wall
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