Thank you all for your help. I might replace it in the future, but it looks like I can just deal with the sound since there will be no risk of damage to anything else and the alternator still turns as it should.

The real test will be when I need to replace the alternator. I will then have to verify that the correct pulley is attached. It looks like the dealer part should also be checked. Until then, thank you all.

 

Yeah, the aftermarket companies are getting better and better at making their units look factory. Considering the price of the tool and mileage if you do decide to fix I would replace the whole alternator. Just make sure it's the right pulley (part number) or really cheap. I found one with what I think was the right pulley from schucks/kragen/oreillys for $170. 160amp version. Factory is outrageous.

 

Have developed a "dying heater blower" sound at shut down which actually went up in pitch at first, then wound down. my wife is a psych nurse, i was ready to go to work with her.thanks for the plausible rescue of my sanity. have done everything but change the tensioner bracket to get the belt to behave, add IDP to the list i guess. This and the gas gauge are the worst designed systems on an otherwise great vehicle

 

Does this sound like a failing alternator isolator decoupler pulley?
(12-second video)

My 2002 Dodge Caravan started making this sound at shutdown recently.
I haven't done any debug yet, but the discussion in this thread seems promising.

Thanks
Andy

 

Be sure and let us know if and when you find it please.

 

Fixed. The noise in my video (in my previous post) disappeared after I replaced the alternator and pulley.

I replaced the alternator and pulley as a unit so I did not isolate which was the culprit. (I do suspect it was the pulley.)

Andy

 

Thank You!