[RESOLVED] Please HELP. burnt smell and scratching sound soming from engine bay

[woowoopdoo]

Well as of last night my dsm is down... It was fine 2 days ago. But anyways I'll get to the point. It started making this scratching sound from the engine bay. Along with a burning smell(Like if it was something electrical or something). So I go to applebees for dinner and when I got home the car died on it's own. After a few minutes of idle it just dies. My radio also kept turning off and on. And now it won't start unless I jump start it. I just replaced the alternator a few days ago. I don't know what's wrong with it. The CEL is not on. But when it idles the brake light and radiator light turn on lightly, then fade away as I start to move or rev the engine past 1150RPM or so. Same with the scratching sound. If anyone can help that would be great. I have posted a video so you can hear it.

<a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=40377848">Idle</a><br/><object width="425px" height="360px" ><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="movie" value="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=40377848,t=1,mt=video,searchID=,primarycolor=,secondarycolor="/><embed src="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=40377848,t=1,mt=video,searchID=,primarycolor=,secondarycolor=" width="425" height="360" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" /></object>

 

[woowoopdoo]

Well as of last night my dsm is down... It was fine 2 days ago. But anyways I'll get to the point. It started making this scratching sound from the engine bay. Along with a burning smell(Like if it was something electrical or something). So I go to applebees for dinner and when I got home the car died on it's own. After a few minutes of idle it just dies. My radio also kept turning off and on. And now it won't start unless I jump start it. I just replaced the alternator a few days ago. I don't know what's wrong with it. The CEL is not on. But when it idles the brake light and radiator light turn on lightly, then fade away as I start to move or rev the engine past 1150RPM or so. Same with the scratching sound. If anyone can help that would be great. I have posted a video so you can hear it.

<a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=40377848">Idle</a><br/><object width="425px" height="360px" ><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="movie" value="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=40377848,t=1,mt=video,searchID=,primarycolor=,secondarycolor="/><embed src="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=40377848,t=1,mt=video,searchID=,primarycolor=,secondarycolor=" width="425" height="360" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" /></object>

 

[kenamond]

Have you checked your harmonic balancer? It has the accessory pulleys on it, and if it's toast (or "separated"), it can rub against the timing cover. The inner and outer parts of the balancer are connected by a rubber damper that falls apart over time. Then the outer part can slip relative to the inner part, and the outer part will "walk" toward/away from the motor. Either the inner/outer parts will slip against each other and/or the accessory belts will slip. That might explain the electrical issues if it's not driving the alternator properly. On a 2g, you just have to jack up the front-left corner, pull the wheel, and remove the plastic splash guard that is between the wheel and motor. Then you can examine the balancer/pulley.

 

[cslim]

i would check your alternator even though its new. check your alt fuse to .

 

[woowoopdoo]

Well it turned out to be the alt. I did not think it could give out so soon. I guess that's what you get sometimes

 

[woowoopdoo]

Yeah it was the alternator...