Still chirping
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 5,463
Likes: 1,138
From: Chino CA
Silence! Thanks to all of your input I isolated the noise to the alternator. It was still charging fine but something was failing internally. I am not sure if I could have located the exact problem inside the unit or not. I took the easy way out and replaced the alternator. Easy repair and the chirping is gone. Didn't want to leave the thread unresolved in case somebody down the road finds it during a search. Thanks again for all of the suggestions!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 69
From: Memphis Tn
Silence! Thanks to all of your input I isolated the noise to the alternator. It was still charging fine but something was failing internally. I am not sure if I could have located the exact problem inside the unit or not. I took the easy way out and replaced the alternator. Easy repair and the chirping is gone. Didn't want to leave the thread unresolved in case somebody down the road finds it during a search. Thanks again for all of the suggestions!
so...how did you find out it was the alternator?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 5,463
Likes: 1,138
From: Chino CA
I used an automotive stethoscope. $11 at Autozone. Touched it to all 3 idler pulleys, water pump, power steering and alternator. Hard to explain without hearing it through the stethoscope but there was no doubt that something was coming undone inside the alternator. I had never used a stethoscope before but it is a very cool thing to have in your toolbox. Installed a new AC Delco unit and the noise is gone.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 69
From: Memphis Tn
I used an automotive stethoscope. $11 at Autozone. Touched it to all 3 idler pulleys, water pump, power steering and alternator. Hard to explain without hearing it through the stethoscope but there was no doubt that something was coming undone inside the alternator. I had never used a stethoscope before but it is a very cool thing to have in your toolbox. Installed a new AC Delco unit and the noise is gone.
I need to get one of those. 
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
I used an automotive stethoscope. $11 at Autozone. Touched it to all 3 idler pulleys, water pump, power steering and alternator. Hard to explain without hearing it through the stethoscope but there was no doubt that something was coming undone inside the alternator. I had never used a stethoscope before but it is a very cool thing to have in your toolbox. Installed a new AC Delco unit and the noise is gone.
