That sounds like trouble!

[sullione]

Yesterday, I noticed a high-pitched whine coming from under the hood of my car. Although I haven't pin-pointed the problem, it's definately coming from the front of the engine. This scares me because the last time I heard a noise similar to that, the crankshaft pulley came off. I looked at it today but the pulley doesn't appear to be loose at all (I didn't check it with a wrench though). The sound also seems to be coming from near the alternator side of the engine but I'm not 100% sure of that either. Any ideas?

[legacy92ej22t]

It could be the bearing in the alternator, or the ac compresssor. Maybe just a loose belt?

It could also maybe be the water pump.

[sullione]

Thanks Matt,
I guess I'll try tightening the belts or replacing them since that's cheap to do. If that doesn't stop it I may just end up replacing the alternator since my hesitation has returned after replacing my knock sensor. It's never been replaced. The water pump was replaced about three years ago so I hope that's not the culprit but if it is, I'll just change the timing belt and tensioners too while I'm in there.

[vrg3]

First just try removing the accessory drivebelts. Your engine will run fine without an alternator for several minutes. If the sound goes away, then install just one belt at a time to try to narrow it down.

[sullione]

Dang Vikash, I would never have thought of that. I just went to Autozone though and had it tested and they said the altenator is going. The noise has chacged from a high pitched squeal to more of a grinding noise and it's accompanied by a burning smell. I purchased another altenator but I really don't feel like swapping it out. It a lot hotter here in Vegas than it was in Cali.

[vrg3]

Wait 'til nighttime (when it's cool) and then change it. It should only take you 15 or 20 minutes the first time.

[sullione]

I couldn't wait Vikash. I just changed it out but it did take me about 15 minutes and so far, it seems that the alternator was the problem. The noise is gone and the windows go up a lot faster now. I'm going to take it out for a drive just to be sure everything is okay before I go to work tomorrow. I travel almost 100 miles a day going to and from work. Thanks to all who replied to this thread. I can't count the number of times that the advice I obtained from this board saved me a lot of time and money.

[legacy92ej22t]

Sweet! Glad it's fixed.

[sullione]

WOW, my hesitation seems to have gone bye-bye. I never expected that. I can't wait to get it out on the open road tomorrow morning. Now if I can just do something about that blasted duty solenoid b problem!

[vrg3]

Cool!

[damonmlime]

damn, i wish it was too hot here to work on my car, i'm out there in thermal socks long johns and gloves tryin to fix mine.

[legacy92ej22t]

I know how 'bout it! I've been freezin' my ars off trying to work on my swap.

[professor]

I've come to believe that a lot of people's hesitation problem might be alternator-related. When mine was on the fritz I put a meter on it with long leads, and the voltage was all over the place, even when the idiot light for voltage was not yet on.

Hesitation would be directly correlated to swings in voltage, especially when taking off from a stop.

I think a lot of our old alternators still charge well, but the diode and voltage regulators have become crap. It profoundly affects the signals to and from the ECU.

[sullione]

I think you're right professor, when the guy at Autozone checked mine the voltage didn't go over 12V but under load it actually dropped to 11V and then it began bouncing up and down between 11V and 13V. He said that it wasn't charging much at all.