Volvo 440 alternator problem?

[RedM]

Driving through Leeds today my wipers started to slow. Then I noticed the petrol gauge dropping. 'This looks like fun' I thought and headed for a retail park where I could park up and see what was happening.

Barely made it. Just as I pulled into the park the car died. Oil light first, then the rest and no power at all. Tried to start the engine but nothing. Not even hazards.

Called AA.

While waiting the car started again and I drove into the car park proper and waited. The car did not restart and now the alarm was going off too.

AA man came and was perplexed. Couldn't turn alarm off so had to disconnect it, then bridge some connectors to get engine connection thingy sorted.. Hit alternator with large hammer and she kicked into life.

So, I'm looking at a new alternator BUT what was the deal with the loss of power. Surely if the battery was fooked she wouldn't have started up in the first place. Why did the fule gauge drop with the engine still running? I've had an alt go before and it wasn't like this.

Any ideas. I'm just looking for assurance the AA man got it right and all will be well. Cheers.

[Steviekid]

My old escort did a very similar thing. Was driving through Glasgow one night (car had started fine) when headlights and gauges dimmed. Managed to coast round a corner where the car died. After being left for ten minutes or so it started again but ran for less than a minute before cutting out. Was definately the alternator as ran perfectly once I'd changed it.

Fuel gauge would have dropped due to lack of voltage and alarm gone off with its battery back up because it would have thought someone was tampering with it when it sensed the voltage drop.

[RedM]

Phew. Should all be sorted tomorrow then. Cheers for the info.