Alternator is making sqeeking sound
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8
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From: Netherlands
Alternator is making sqeeking sound
Hi Guys,
I'm driving a 1989 Firebird 2.8 liters V6 and for the past two weeks i've got a squeeking sound comming from the alternator.
Last week i've taken it to be checked and they cleaned out the alternator. First they thought it was a barring but they were all in perfect shape so they closed up the thing and said it was allright and if i still would hear the sound it would be something else.
Well you can guess, i still hear the sound and it drives me nuts. The funny thing is, when i disconnect the cable thats at the rear of the alternator, it's as silent as a little lam, but when i connect it again the weird sound comes back.
This still makes me believe that its something around the alternator but i'm running out of ideas. Does anyone have clue of what could cause this sound?
Please let me know, i'll be eternally greatfull...
A dutch Pontiac lover
I'm driving a 1989 Firebird 2.8 liters V6 and for the past two weeks i've got a squeeking sound comming from the alternator.
Last week i've taken it to be checked and they cleaned out the alternator. First they thought it was a barring but they were all in perfect shape so they closed up the thing and said it was allright and if i still would hear the sound it would be something else.
Well you can guess, i still hear the sound and it drives me nuts. The funny thing is, when i disconnect the cable thats at the rear of the alternator, it's as silent as a little lam, but when i connect it again the weird sound comes back.
This still makes me believe that its something around the alternator but i'm running out of ideas. Does anyone have clue of what could cause this sound?
Please let me know, i'll be eternally greatfull...
A dutch Pontiac lover
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Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 19,653
Likes: 309
Questor,
Make sure the battery is fully charged and will pass a load test. A weak or shorting battery can cause a constant undue load on the alternator, contributing to the noise.
Have you measured the output voltage of the alternator? Try measuring the voltage on the AC scale of your meter. If the output voltage reads more than 2.0 VAC, you have a marginal rectifier assembly. Actually, that is the GM specification for allowable AC at the output stud of the alternator. I personally wouldn't like to see more than 0.75VAC there due to the sensitive nature of some of the engine sensors.
If the rectifiers are O.K. and the AC voltage is within specs, you may have stator coils that are working loose from the laminations. There isn't much of a fix for this other than replacement, sorry.
Make sure the battery is fully charged and will pass a load test. A weak or shorting battery can cause a constant undue load on the alternator, contributing to the noise.
Have you measured the output voltage of the alternator? Try measuring the voltage on the AC scale of your meter. If the output voltage reads more than 2.0 VAC, you have a marginal rectifier assembly. Actually, that is the GM specification for allowable AC at the output stud of the alternator. I personally wouldn't like to see more than 0.75VAC there due to the sensitive nature of some of the engine sensors.
If the rectifiers are O.K. and the AC voltage is within specs, you may have stator coils that are working loose from the laminations. There isn't much of a fix for this other than replacement, sorry.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Netherlands
I changed the battery last week from a european battery to an american version. Till now it's not fully charged so i have to make a lot of miles before it is i guess.
As far as for the condition of the belt, its brand new as well. So i guess that couldn't be it either.
Vader, you talked about replacing something, but didn't figure out what you meant entirely. You mean the alternator?
I will try and check what the AC voltage will be from the alternator although i'm just starting to understand the basics of the car and trying to translate it for myself in dutch.
But i guess the problem is somewhere around the alternator/regulator i guess?
As far as for the condition of the belt, its brand new as well. So i guess that couldn't be it either.
Vader, you talked about replacing something, but didn't figure out what you meant entirely. You mean the alternator?
I will try and check what the AC voltage will be from the alternator although i'm just starting to understand the basics of the car and trying to translate it for myself in dutch.
But i guess the problem is somewhere around the alternator/regulator i guess?
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