I started my truck this morning and heard a awful whinning noise comming from the engine. The tone changed with the RPMs. I got a screwdriver and started listening to different parts of the motor and found it was the alternator. I checked the amp guage and it was charging a little more than normal. I drove to work(about 22 miles) and it seemed to quiten down some and the amp guage went back to it's normal spot. What do yall think is going on? Am I about to replace my alternater? Thanks for any advice.

 

I shot my engine w/ a little degreaser over the summer and hosed it off, and ever since my alternator has been making noises. I haven't dropped the money to replace it, since it still works, but it's clearly the alternator. Maybe just a poor design, an aftermarket unit might not be a bad idea.

 

Does it sound like bearing, or more inside of the alternator?

 

Hose the engine all you want, but stay AWAY from the alternator. They don't like water!!!

Also, black_03 all the bearings are Inside the alternator?? You mean to ask if possibly the stator is rubbing the housing? That should sound more like a scuffing sound not a whining sound like a power steering pump would make.

 

I would say it sounds a lot like a power steering pump would make. By the way....I washed the engine a couple of days before. I covered the pcm,air filter but not the alternater. Well I guess experiance is the best teacher! I guess as long as it keeps charging I'll deal with the whining for a while. Thanks everybody!

 

The bearings are going out inside the alternator. It does happen and I've had it happen a few times to my older vehicles. Its a very annoying high pitch whine right? Really the only way to fix it is to get a new one although anywhere you take it is probably going to say that its fine and is running a full charge.

 

It's unfortunate because the bearings are super cheap to replace, but replacing them is a Biotch if you have no idea what you are doing. I replaced my bearings in my last truck for $8.xx and it took about 3 hours total. Beats paying $150 for a new one.


Ohh, I also see that you finally spelled whining right in your last post.....lol Only uses one letter n. My wife hates it when i do that crap, that's why I didn't say anything initially. It's all for the better though.

 

Hey can you get the bearings at the parts store or where? I am better at that kind of stuff than I am spelling! LOL! The thing that gets me though is why does the noise quit after I drive it for a while? Seems like it only does it while its cold.

 

It's most likely the alternator is about to go. I had my truck in a 2 months ago and my mechanic called me and said if i didnt replace it itd blow up in a week or so. when i bought the truck it had the noise since day 1 so i thought it was original to the hemi (stupid me). I replaced it at about 37,500 miles, way too early from what i gather. Nice rig btw BEAR.

 

If you take it apart and get the old bearings out, you can bring them to a NAPA and they should be able to match them accordingly. You can prob even get heavy duty bearings while your at it! If they don't have them you could measur them and see if you could order them(if you have another means of transportation?) They always measure those in metric. mm

Your truck won't blow up if you keep driving it. The worst thing that can happen is it stops charging and your trucks starts to die or the bearings sieze and freeze up which will burn and break your serpentine belt. The auto parts store won't give you any less for a "fried" alternator than they will for a good one.

Are you sure it's just not your belt making that noise? Did you get a mechanics ear or put your ear against a screwdriver to isolate the sound right off the alternator casing?