Alternator squeak
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa, CA
Alternator squeak Ok we all know the crazy problems with the mysterious squealing under the hood of our cars, but I have been successful in finding the location of my evil hiss sound. After using the stethoscope and shooting pulleys with brake cleaner I have located my hiss noise to my alternator pulley. Could the hiss sound be an indication that my alternator is going?? How do i rid the noise? I know that you cant change the bearing.. So will I have to get a new one??
thanks for any help
thanks for any help
I'd just replace the alternator. I just replaced mine the other day because it died and I spun the pulley to see how it sounded and it was making a nice ticking noise. If you're on your original alternator, you're just better off getting a new one. The pulley on the Camaro I had before this made an even bigger racket when I spun the pulley by hand when I replaced that a couple years ago.
Word of advice too, unplug the exciter wire before anything else, and when you remove the alternator bolts, all 3, do yourself a HUGE favor and remove the one remaining bolt holding the bracket to the block. It's recessed right near the idler. You'll find the alternator is WORLDS easier to remove and reinstall. Otherwise you'll likely be in for a nightmare of wiggling, twisting, pulling, cursing, etc.
Word of advice too, unplug the exciter wire before anything else, and when you remove the alternator bolts, all 3, do yourself a HUGE favor and remove the one remaining bolt holding the bracket to the block. It's recessed right near the idler. You'll find the alternator is WORLDS easier to remove and reinstall. Otherwise you'll likely be in for a nightmare of wiggling, twisting, pulling, cursing, etc.
^^^ Great advice above.
The sound could also be a bad pulley, although I'd think it more rare with the metal pulley on the alternator. The good news is a new alternator will also come with a new pulley.
BTW - You can change the bearing, but you'll need to take the whole thing apart and use a hydraulic press to do it. You may be able to find a shop that can do this, but... it could also be the pulley.
The sound could also be a bad pulley, although I'd think it more rare with the metal pulley on the alternator. The good news is a new alternator will also come with a new pulley.
BTW - You can change the bearing, but you'll need to take the whole thing apart and use a hydraulic press to do it. You may be able to find a shop that can do this, but... it could also be the pulley.
