Another Alternator problem, different from other guy :)

[Xenostalgia]

so I just got alternator in place and now when I rev up to like 5k rpms I can really hear something in my engine wind up I'm wondering if that is the alternator. I hear it when the window is down and no tunes are playing, over my muffler. So its a bit loud. No alternator charging problems tho, works like a beauty. could it just be the new alternator being silly?

[skibum1111]

Either the alternator is singing to you, mine does if it spins too hard, or the belt is either too loose or too tight, or your tensioner is going bad...

[philly rs]

yeah im woundering if it could be belt related too, this is starting to sound like a common problem now, maybe u all arent putting the belt back on correctly or tight enough

[mark01070]

Yeah like others have said it could be the alternator bet it is because mine made the same noise for over three weeks when I acelerated and finally my alternator went kaaaput.....Or like others have said it might be the belt visually inspect it to check for cracks and roughness...maybe it's a loose drive pulley in your belt drive...or even loose mounting bolts probably not....Like alot of other guys who told me....take out your alternator and bring it down to autozone...its free..ahhhh..free...also if you have a voltmeter check the wiring on alternator By touching one probe to ground; should be near the front of car and use other probe to test hot wires on the alternator individually....while car is running just be careful........

This forum kicks arrrrssssss

[89IROC&RS]

could be debris in the belt vanes, you can clean it while the engine is running, use a standard blade screwdriver and while the engine is running put the corner of the blade in one of the ribs of the belt and watch the sparks fly, those are the rocks being hit out of the belt. when the sparks stop go to the next one, i dont think i need to tell yall to be EXTREMELY careful while doing this.

as for putting the belt on wrong, its not really possible with a serpentine belt system, unless like was said before the tensioner is going bad.

[Xenostalgia]

Originally Posted by 89IROC&RS

could be debris in the belt vanes, you can clean it while the engine is running, use a standard blade screwdriver and while the engine is running put the corner of the blade in one of the ribs of the belt and watch the sparks fly, those are the rocks being hit out of the belt. when the sparks stop go to the next one, i dont think i need to tell yall to be EXTREMELY careful while doing this.

as for putting the belt on wrong, its not really possible with a serpentine belt system, unless like was said before the tensioner is going bad.

I think i want to wear a motorcycle helmet when i do it or just duct tape the belt to my hand for that attemp.

Also Sears installed it for me, wasn't me. any ideas?

[CamarosRsweet94]

Put a screwdriver on it and put your ear on the screwdriver and listen to make sure it's coming from the alternator. Or got buy a stethoscope those things are handy dandy for finding illusive sounds under the hood.

[Earlsfat]

Originally Posted by CamarosRsweet94

Put a screwdriver on it and put your ear on the screwdriver and listen to make sure it's coming from the alternator. ....

You would do that witha running engine???? And what happens when the screwdriver comes out your other ear???

[CamarosRsweet94]

Well since only a moron would put it on any part of the alternator that is spinning, I would do it. You might not want to though...

I am just trying to help the guy out by giving him ideas on how to locate whatever is making the noise, I guess I should have just waited until someone else gave him some advice and then ragged on them for their idea, since I know that'll help Xeno find the problem faster...

[Earlsfat]

lol... just kidding man. But uh... I still wouldn't do that, actually If YOU did that infront of me... I'd probably leave the garage and hope not to hear any sounds like a body hitting the floor. And then buy you a beer for having the balls to do something like that.

[CamarosRsweet94]

Ok, I just hate it when people give advice and other people on here bash them for it and tell them it's stupid. But this place has a definate history of it.

[Jcrane88]

playing stethoscope with a screwdriver is a good idea i have done it many times..........about putting a screwdriver on one of the ribs of the belt...............be careful....you will look pretty funny with a screwdriver sticking out of your ear

[Earlsfat]

Hey man if it works... got nothing against old school solutions to problems, more often than not, they're the ones that work the best.

I'm too much of a wuss to try sticking long, relatively sharp objects near moving machinery.

[Xenostalgia]

Originally Posted by CamarosRsweet94
Put a screwdriver on it and put your ear on the screwdriver and listen to make sure it's coming from the alternator. ....


Earlsfat:You would do that witha running engine???? And what happens when the screwdriver comes out your other ear???

Bahaha actually I was confused and thinking 'wtf you want me to put a screwdriver on the belts?! dude i'm dumb but... cmon how do you expect me to hold it in place and try to listen at the same time?

[89IROC&RS]

lol i do have to admit when i first read it i thought he ment to do it while cleaning the belt and that is a very bad idea. but putting the screwdriver on the alternator housing that isnt moving and putting your ear to it is a common diagnostic trick. you can also use a length of rubber hose, even garden hose about three feet long, put one end to your ear, and then use the other end to listen to each pully one at a time, when you find the point of the most noise, youve found your problem.