whining 94 Cutlass Supreme

[troyfromkamilla]

I have a '94 Cutlass Supreme SL with a 3.4L V-6. Recently it started whining at idle and when stopped (not squeeling or grinding) and it's putting a serious drain on the engine, it doesn't stall but the voltmeter drops considerably and the lights dim quite a bit. It sounds kind of like the power steering pump but there is no change in the feel of the steering and turning the wheel doesn't seem to effect it. It doesn't do this when going down the road or when the rpm's are up. Any ideas / experiences?

[jmblimo]

Pull one of your timing belt covers off and take a look at the belt. Mine was doing the same thing and the problem was a timing belt idler pully. When I looked at the belt it was halfway off of the cam gear. I believe the whine was the belt rubbing the housing.

With your power problem, it could also be your alternator.

[swiber]

might the alternator or the ac conpresor or somthing as easy as the belts being dry