Yet another fishy cavalier problem

Ok, here goes nothing.......... about 3 weeks ago, my 99 chevy cavalier began making a whirring sort of noise coming from under the hood. It sounds like one of those tops you spin as a kid and they make the semi high pitched humming sound for a bit. Well it would do that as I was accellerating and then finally top off to a normal ambience as I upped the RPMs to a coast. But the sound became very noticeable as time progressed, but the engine ran A-OK. So now the sound has died out and does not occur to the best of my hearing lately but now the battery light makes it presence known and will disappear for a second here and there and the ABS light is on and off. Also the starting up is a bit postponed periodically. Any ideas on what may be the root of the problem? Thanks.

Sounds like the alternator is going bad. Check for 14.5 volts on the terminal with the big red wire on the back side of the alternator while the engine is running. If it's less than 14 volts, replace the alternator.

i had a similar problem and thought it was the alternator but it turned out to be the a/c pump.

i had a similar problem and thought it was the alternator but it turned out to be the a/c pump.


I just reviewed the situation with my father and he says it's most definitely the alternator due to the ignition bug and the simultaneous lights going off. He also said not to drive it? He says it will just damage things further. Do you guys with experience have any input as to whether it can be driven til it's fixed??????

I just reviewed the situation with my father and he says it's most definitely the alternator due to the ignition bug and the simultaneous lights going off. He also said not to drive it? He says it will just damage things further. Do you guys with experience have any input as to whether it can be driven til it's fixed??????

You'll end up killing the battery.
Don't drive it until you replace the alternator.