I've got this strange humming or 'whirring' noise that started suddenly the other day on my '96, sounds like it's coming from the belt area and usually worsens when I step on the gas pedal. I'm thinking either water pump or alternator, but I can't tell for sure. Is there any way to figure out which one it is? My battery light came on for just a minute, but I had just sprayed the belts, so that's the reason, and it's been fine since...no charging problems yet. Any ideas?

I've got this strange humming or 'whirring' noise that started suddenly the other day on my '96, sounds like it's coming from the belt area and usually worsens when I step on the gas pedal. I'm thinking either water pump or alternator, but I can't tell for sure. Is there any way to figure out which one it is? My battery light came on for just a minute, but I had just sprayed the belts, so that's the reason, and it's been fine since...no charging problems yet. Any ideas?

I had a Camaro that started doing that. It turned out to be the alternator. I had about a week before it failed from when I started hearing the sound.