alternator pulley

[mgsx98]

So I've had a squealing noise coming from my belt area. At first I thought it was the harmonic balancer and took a look at that, while I was checking that out I saw that the alt. pulley wasn't moving the belt was just going around the pulley. The battery and brake lights came on so that tells me something's wrong with the alt.

Any ideas?

 

[DirtyBirdRacing]

Hi,

So prior to this you heard a squelling sound? That might have been the alternator siezing up. Since it doesnt spin, and the belts just goes around it I would replace the alternator.

Bill

 

[DirtyBirdRacing]

Hi,

Actually let me correct myself, that squelling might have been the belt being too loose on the alternator. Give the alternator belt the correct tensions by adjusting the position of the alternator and see if that helps. If not, I would replace the alternator.

Bill

 

[mgsx98]

Yeterday I took the alternator off and took it to autozone to get it tested. They said the alt. wasn't testing right.. So I decided to take it to an alternator shop and see what they had to say. They checked it out and said it was fine. So I came back and put it back on the car and it's still doing the same thing. The pulley is locked or something, the belt wont make it spin which causes the squealing noise. I really don't know what's wrong anymore Ive tried tight and loose and it still wont spin.

Should I just go buy a new alternator?

 

[Weapon-X]

Should I just go buy a new alternator?

Looks like this is your only logical thing to do.

If indeed the alternator is not spinning, it's most likely junk.

I really don't see how those shops were testing it and it wasn't spinning...........Then the 2nd shop said it was fine......................WTF How. It wasn't even rotating!

Invest in a quality replacement and be done with it.

 

[mgsx98]

The alternator has a lifetime warranty but man it would be the third alternator I go thru.!

 

[Dsmj89]

If it isn't rotating then get it changed since you have warranty and make sure the wheel spins this time before you tighten everything down.

 

[mgsx98]

If it isn't rotating then get it changed since you have warranty and make sure the wheel spins this time before you tighten everything down.

ahh see thats the problem I just got the alt of the car and the pulley spins freely. I really don't know what happened but when i started the car the alt pulley would jus lock, the crank and water pump pulleys would spin with the belt just not the alt.

 

[Dsmj89]

That's very weird. Well i have nothing else to say other than to get your alternator changed and give it another shot.
Make sure your belt tension is right as well.

 

[Weapon-X]

Well, If you have a lifetime warranty on the alternator, It's a no-brainer.............. Just get a replacement and be done.

I would have done that right from the onset of the problem.

You went through all the taking off and putting back on etc. and the bottom line is your ending up getting it replaced anyway.

Well, Good Luck.........................

 

[mgsx98]

Yeah well I kinda went thru all that because I couldn't find the receipt! I have a folder full of all the paperwork but for some reason I couldn't find that one. I already went and the alt. should be here tomorrow.

 

[Weapon-X]

Ahhhhhh............... That makes sense now.

I couldn't for the life of me figure out why you were going through this when you posted about having the lifetime warranty.

Now I understand.

Well, Good Luck, and I hope it comes in tomorrow for you. I'm sure you'll be good to go with the new one.

Just make sure you tension the belt correctly.

And, I would also start looking into why your going through alternators like crazy. First thing that comes to my mind is a heat issue. How close is your downpipe? Do you have the heatshields in place or are they removed?

Just something to keep in mind.

I'm sure by now your getting tired of changing out alternators so frequently.