Alternator whistle?
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 59
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From: Montgomery IL
Alternator whistle?
Does anyone else experience this annoyance? Or am I just an **** corvette owner? When my 2001 Black/Black Coupe is sitting idle I can hear a whistling sound coming from the alternator area. I can also hear when driving slowly, but obviously at a certasin speed it is drounded out be other noises. Not sure if it is actually coming from the alternator. The last time I was at the dealer, they said it was normal for the alternator to make this noise.
It is annoying because this damn whistle is just as loud as my corsa exhaust at idle.
Can I replace the alternator with a quiter one?
Please help.
It is annoying because this damn whistle is just as loud as my corsa exhaust at idle.
Can I replace the alternator with a quiter one?
Please help.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,942
Likes: 7
From: Gaffney, S.C.
Re: Alternator whistle? (Anderson)
With the engine off, disconnect the wiring connector from the back of the alternator and then start the car. If the whistle is gone then you know the alternator is the problem. If it whistles too loud you may have a weak battery requiring it to have to charge under a load at all times or there is a possibility of a bad diode inside the unit which will also make a noise. Some noise is normal though and I would compare yours to another before I spent a bunch of money trying to correct something that is normal.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,840
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Re: Alternator whistle? (irfgt)
With the engine off, disconnect the wiring connector from the back of the alternator and then start the car. If the whistle is gone then you know the alternator is the problem. If it whistles too loud you may have a weak battery requiring it to have to charge under a load at all times or there is a possibility of a bad diode inside the unit which will also make a noise. Some noise is normal though and I would compare yours to another before I spent a bunch of money trying to correct something that is normal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 832
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From: Joplin Mo
Re: Alternator whistle? (Evil-Twin)
How would a diode make this noise they have no moving parts,,, secondly.. whitstling usually comes from rotational harmonics...pully, rotor, bearings, etc... disconnecting the electrics wont eliminate any rotating issues., which are probably the case... in the old days you could just take off the belt... one trick to try would be to get a large screw driver.. put the handle to your ear.. firmly and touch the blade to the alternator... this works like a stethescope.. good for locating water pump noise... atlernator noise... and valve tap issues
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,942
Likes: 7
From: Gaffney, S.C.
Re: Alternator whistle? (MikeyD)
If a diode dies then the alternator will become electrically out of balance and can make a sound almost identical to a bad bearing. I repair alternators for a living along with my other duties. I am from Old School and I still repair things instead of replacing them when possible. Do as I described, trust me.
