Whining from alternator..on its way out????

[SHOfun 93]

Well pretty self explanatory. I started the sho, and noticed a high pitched whine from the alternator, and it is continuing. Is it on its way out? Thanks.

<small>[ November 14, 2002, 07:41 PM: Message edited by: Jeremy Hohn ]</small>

 

[Mike Kopstain]

Well Jeremy, not so much the alternator, but perhaps it's pulley bearings. First of all what you want to do is take a long screw driver and put the end to the alternator and the hande to your ear. With the car on you should be able to pinpoint that the sound is coming from the alternator and not one of the other accessories. IF it is indeed coming from the alternator your going to want to measure voltage output. If that is within spec you will need to replace the pulley, otherwise you will need to replace the alternator.

<small>[ November 14, 2002, 08:05 PM: Message edited by: Mikeys_Taurus ]</small>

 

[SHOfun 93]

Well Mike, my car has Shoshop UDPs on it, and noticed a dimming of the dome lights the other night. Hmmm....I think the alternator is the original one from the factory anyway...might be time..

 

[Mike Kopstain]

let me know... if the alternator from a 91' will work for you I got one in the garage you can have. Worked when I pulled it.

 

[SHOfun 93]

I can't remember for sure, but I think that the alternators between the gens are a bit different somehow. Maybe with the mounting brackets? I will have to ask Scott P. on this one...

 

[sdpatt]

Completely different between the 3.0L and 3.2L. Take a look between your two SHOs Jeremy.

 

[SHOfun 93]

That is what I thought Scott. The blue one is at a buddy's shop 20 miles away in Odessa. wink

BTW, is my alternator on the way out Scott? Near as I can tell, it is the original. If it is, where is the best price for another? I figured you might have this one in that vast SHOFILE you have! thumbs_u

 

[rangerj]

The screeching, or whining, is typically the bearings. The Gen I alternator has one in the front of the alternator, and one in the back.

The bearings are inside the alternator, and are not part of the pulley. The A/C pulley has a replacable bearing, in the Gen I SHOs. The idler pulley bearing can be replaced with a bearing from a Gen III SHO pulley.

If the alternator output is OK, that is the voltage and amperrage output, then look around your area for a shop that rebuilds alternators.
You should be able to get the bearings replaced for about $50. J. C. Whitney sells alternator rebuild kits that include the bearings, but I do not recommend them.

Most auto parts store will test an alternator, and a starter for that matter, for a small fee. The fee is usually waved is you get a replacement from them. Some parts store may even test your alternator and starter for free.

If you remove the belt and spin the alternator by hand you can usually hear the metal to metal grinding of a bad bearing. Check the idler pulley bearing, and the A/C clutch pulley bearings, as well.

Get in the habit of doing the diagnostics before replacing parts. You will learn a lot more, and replace fewer parts.

As for sticking a screwdriver near the moving parts of an engine, you do so at your own peril. A piece of vacuum hose works well as a stethescope also. rangerj

 

[RTStabler51]

Pricing...160ish from ADvance Auto (I'm talking atx here), but a problem I ran into for the last one I ordered when I worked there, is for some reason there was a very slight difference in the casings. Don't remember what it was, but it would not bolt up. So I ordered two more...same thing.

Mom, just had hers replaced by the local Ford Place (toolboy79s place of employment, and the mechanic) and had it rebuilt. I think the rebuild cost aobut $100.

Jeremy Hohn:
That is what I thought Scott. The blue one is at a buddy's shop 20 miles away in Odessa. wink

BTW, is my alternator on the way out Scott? Near as I can tell, it is the original. If it is, where is the best price for another? I figured you might have this one in that vast SHOFILE you have! thumbs_u