Alternator Makin Noise

ok I have a S-10 2003 pick up v-6 4.3 and the alt is making some noise my instriment say 14 plus volts so I guess its working fine do these things just go all at once or do they make noise first ? and how hard are they to change i have some mech. know how? thank you so much. Anthony

Sometimes and sometimes not.
Noise is not good.
If it has noise it is on last leg.
Pull and check belt and spin alt pulley and see if you can feel noise.
Not hard to replace but.
If it needs replaced check out a brand new not rebuilt alt.
When replacing alt always disconnect the neg battery cabel.
If the bearing is bad some can be replaced.
But a few specail tools and knoledge may be required,
MT

I agree sounds like the bearing is going out. In the past when my water pump started making noise I had only about 2 hours of run time before it seized up completely. Don't put off replacement or you'll be paying for a tow truck, too.

you said to take the NEG off I should take off the POSITIVE as well right I would think I would but you confused me ? also where I live ( long island ny.) no parts place has a new alt they are all re-builts or referbeshed bad news where do I go for a brand new one ? Thank You very very much Anthony

When unhooking a battery always unhook the neg/ground cable first and hook it back up last.
If not done that way you can spike and blow your computers and new alternator.
Just the neg. unhooked will kill all power feeds to everything.
But if you feel better about it and be on safe side of neg. getting bumped back onto the neg battery post you can also unhook the positive to.

Almost all modern parts places have new alternators or can get them for you.
If they do not have one.
Ask them if they can not order you one.
Usually not much higher than a rebuilt and sometimes cheaper and always a lot better.
Good Luck MT.

I'm on Long Island too. I use Montrose rebuilders in Babylon Village on Montauk Hwy. They always do a nice job for me. But anywhere like Auto Zone or Napa are good places too.

All you have to do is take off your negative battery cable like MT-2500 suggests.

Bob

Check the alternator bracket.

A loose bolt on the bracket can cause a rattling that sounds like a bad bearing.
Especially in cold weather, on startup.

i am getting a whhhheeeerring sound from my alternator but i also think my water pump may be going, listened to the alternator with a screwdriver and sounded like it was th problem it almost sounds like a remote control car whhhhhiiiirrrrinnggg!!

i am getting a whhhheeeerring sound from my alternator but i also think my water pump may be going, listened to the alternator with a screwdriver and sounded like it was th problem it almost sounds like a remote control car whhhhhiiiirrrrinnggg!!

Rember all alternators make some charging noise more under heavy charge or right after start up.
Also some belts wiil make some noise.
MT