Volvo Repair: alternator / voltage regulator, jumper cables, voltage regulators

Question
I have a 93 240 wagon. I just replaced all the seals etc in the engine and when I put it back together, i replaced the alternator with a rebuilt unit. since then, the lights have a hypnotic, approximately 1 hertz, pulsation. I checked the voltage on the battery and it is about 15.1 volts. I believe this indicates that the voltage regulator is bad and i should replace the alternator again. i haven't done that yet and now the fuel guage quit. I have also had trouble with other electrical things such as the bulb out light coming on when the windows go up. I was told by the volvo dealer tha the bosch regulator rarely if ever fail and he suspected a ground problem. this may be evidenced by some of the other niceties. What is your opinion, before i tear the alternator out...
Thanks You
Mark Bregar

Answer
  The dealer gave you pretty darn close advice. The Bosch voltage regulators are not problematic. The brushes they contain do wear out about 100k. You definitely have a ground problem.
   First run a ground wire from the alternator to the engine block. Then make sure the black battery cable connection at the engine and the battery are clean and tight. If in doubt, use a set of jumper cables and use black side, claom one on the - battery post and the other one to the frame in a clean spot. If this makes your problem go away, then you need to redo the battery to frame/body ground cable. Also, make sure your battery is good. HTH


Mark