Volvo: Battery charging problem, volt meter, wire harness

Question
Hopefully you may beable to help with this problem. I have an 1984 240 DL Diesel wagon. I have been having charging problem. The volt meter shows it charging at times and then it stops. I have changed out the alternator and the battery is new and I really do not know what to check next. Any suggestion?

Answer
It sounds like you might have a shorting problem if it only periodically charges.  The 1984 is a victim of wire harness decay common to Volvos.  I would check the primary wires from the battery to the starter, and the main wires from the alternator for frayed wires which might touch each other or the chasis.  I had to deal with this problem with my Volvo, and it took some care to fix the several shorts I had.  Good luck!