strange whistle sound

IEC Stang · Dec 5, 2007

Ok so whenever i start up my car it sometimes makes a loud whistle sound so i poped the hood and listened to it and it seems like its coming from the altinator, but i'm not sure. It only whistles for a while and then it finally goes away. N e thoughts?

9psi 98 · Dec 5, 2007

Most likely a bearing in there. Get yourself a hose and hold it up to your ear. You'll be able to pinpoint where the noise is coming from better.

IEC Stang · Dec 7, 2007

Hey i never thought of that. That's a pretty good idea. I will do that next time it starts making that sound. What if it is a bearing? How much do you think it would cost to fix it?

Firestrike87 · Dec 7, 2007

I actually have the same noise but I only get the noise when it is around 25 Degrees or lower. My pitch changes with the rpm's and will be somewhat speratic when it does it or doesn't. I don't have any idea what it is either but it does seem to be coming from the accessory belt or an accessory. When it does it for me again I'm gonna take the belt off and check the pulleys on all the accessories to see if any of them seem loose, non-free spinning, or any weird sounds are made from any of them. Lets keep this thread alive until we figure it out.

9psi 98 · Dec 7, 2007

IEC Stang said:
Hey i never thought of that. That's a pretty good idea. I will do that next time it starts making that sound. What if it is a bearing? How much do you think it would cost to fix it?

Easier just to buy a new alternator than to rebuild it. www.carparts.com will give you a current price. I haven't bought one in a while (knock on wood), I forgot what they cost. Take the serpentine belt off and see if there is any problems with any of the pulleys. If any of them don't spin freely, have a lot of "play" in them or make any noises, just replace them.

jfor441 · Dec 7, 2007

9psi 98 said:
IEC Stang said:

Hey i never thought of that. That's a pretty good idea. I will do that next time it starts making that sound. What if it is a bearing? How much do you think it would cost to fix it?

Click to expand...

Easier just to buy a new alternator than to rebuild it. www.carparts.com will give you a current price. I haven't bought one in a while (knock on wood), I forgot what they cost. Take the serpentine belt off and see if there is any problems with any of the pulleys. If any of them don't spin freely, have a lot of "play" in them or make any noises, just replace them.

I did an alternator replacement on the side of the road this time last road on my trip to nashville. Alternator cost 120 bucks iirc.

9psi 98 · Dec 7, 2007

That sounds right in the ballpark. I was remembering $150, but wasn't sure.

97GT4.6 · Dec 7, 2007

If you have the time, you can rebuilt it for probably twenty bucks and just put in a new bearing.. alternators are pretty easy to rebuild..

IEC Stang · Dec 11, 2007

My problem is the same as firestrike87 so it doesn't happen all the time just every now and then. So not too worried about it right now but eventually i'll have to get it fixed.