HELP, Alternator?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Concord NC
HELP, Alternator?
Background: 2001 auto w/ 53000 miles.
I had a noise coming from what appeared to be somewhere along the belt system. It sounded like a rattle. The noise was not present in park or neutral but when idleing in drive or reverse. To me it sounded like it was coming from the drive belt tensioner. I had it checked out and was diagnosed that it needed new tensioners for AC and Drive belt including changing the belts. Wanted over 600 bucks so I decided to do it on my own. So I went and replaced tensioner pulley, idler pulley and put on a new belt. I dont think that the AC belt is causing the noise so I hadnt changed it. Everything seems fine but now when I put the car in gear there is a horrible noise coming from what seems to be the alternator. I guess now there is more tension on the system since I replaced the tensioner and it has caused the rattle sound to get louder. From what I can tell the noise is coming from the alternator. Could this be the pulley on the alternator? I dont think the alternator is bad. Or is it the alternator? Like I said, sense replacing the tensioner the sound is more pronounced. My next guess is to just replace the alternator but I wanted to get others opinions before I threw more money at it.
Thanks
Chuck
I had a noise coming from what appeared to be somewhere along the belt system. It sounded like a rattle. The noise was not present in park or neutral but when idleing in drive or reverse. To me it sounded like it was coming from the drive belt tensioner. I had it checked out and was diagnosed that it needed new tensioners for AC and Drive belt including changing the belts. Wanted over 600 bucks so I decided to do it on my own. So I went and replaced tensioner pulley, idler pulley and put on a new belt. I dont think that the AC belt is causing the noise so I hadnt changed it. Everything seems fine but now when I put the car in gear there is a horrible noise coming from what seems to be the alternator. I guess now there is more tension on the system since I replaced the tensioner and it has caused the rattle sound to get louder. From what I can tell the noise is coming from the alternator. Could this be the pulley on the alternator? I dont think the alternator is bad. Or is it the alternator? Like I said, sense replacing the tensioner the sound is more pronounced. My next guess is to just replace the alternator but I wanted to get others opinions before I threw more money at it.
Thanks
Chuck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 987
Likes: 1
From: Braidwood Il.
Chuck, start the engine and get a long screwdriver, put the screwdriver up to your ear and then the blade end on the alternator, if its a bearing in the alternator it will sound very rough. This way you can pinpoint if thats were your noise is coming from.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Concord NC
The noise is definitely coming from alternator. Took off belt and checked pulley on alternator. It moves freely but seems loose. When I turn the pulley in opposite direction it is loose from the alternator or rather there is quite a bit of play. On another note the inside of the alternator is very rusty. It is flaking off the fan. I can only assume water has got in there and rusted it and probably the bearing which is loose. Perhaps previous owner washed engine and didnt cover alternator. I dont know. I am going to replace alternator and hope that solves my woes.
