input appreciated

Welchie316 []
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07-26-2005, 01:29 PM Yet another fishy cavalier problem (Post #1)
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.

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scottswan []
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07-26-2005, 02:39 PM (Post #2)
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.

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99chevycav []
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07-26-2005, 02:52 PM (Post #3)
i had a similar problem and thought it was the alternator but it turned out to be the a/c pump.

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Welchie316 []
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07-26-2005, 03:03 PM Re: Yet another fishy cavalier problem (Post #4)

Quote:
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Originally Posted by 99chevycav
i had a similar problem and thought it was the alternator but it turned out to be the a/c pump.
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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??????

what was wrong with your other thread? (Yet another fishy cavalier problem)

This is just a guess, but it may be the bearing in your alternator taking a shit, or the serpentine belt. I would take it to autozone first, ir you have one near you, and have them test your alternator. They'll do it for free. If it does start to squeal again, get some WD-40 or something similer and sparingly spray it on the belt, if your noise goes away, just put a new belt on to alleviate that particular problem. Your battery light and the squeal may be 2 seperate problems.

i would defiantly say it's your alternator. And your dad is right you want to drive it as least as possible. By driving a car with a bad alternator, you can and will make things alot worse for yourself. and the squealing is coming from your serpertine belt. Those are not hard to replace at all. Spend the 20 bucks and eliminate one of your problems. the alternator is also right on top of the block so it's a simple change. I'd keep it parked tho for the time being until the alternator is fixed

you know...the alternator could be fine and its just the belt..if the belt is squeeling it could be a bad grip on the alternator and your alternator isnt getting enough spin and therefor not pumping out the right power making all the lights flicker ....so it could just be the belt.