alternator

[Grinder5]

My alternator makes a ton of noise, and I've heard a noisy alternator is a sign of its wearing out. It's so bad sometimes i think it sounds like i have a supercharger under the hood, i can hear the whining from inside my car with the windows up and a full 2.5" headerback exhaust, it's LOUD. Alternator is the only thing i can think of, what do you guys think? Also, was thinking of getting a higher output alternator, but dunno if i'd receive any benefits from it or if it involves any modifications. Anyone know? I don't have a high powered audio system, but figured a little extra juice couldn't hurt, or could it?

 

[Defiant]

Just replace it with the Canadian spec one.

 

[Grinder5]

Where exactly do i find one of those?

 

[shamsulaswad]

mine did the same thing. but the problem was that when i brought the car to a dealer, they said it was the power steering oil pump. they replaced that but still to sound existed. so they said that it was their fault of misdiagnose and willing to replaced my timing belt and water pump, since that's maybe the problem in the first place. after the changed everything, the sound still came on. then they had the alternator rebuilt and finally, the sound is history. i only have to pay for the oil pump and the labor that cost me 550 bucks for both. i think i did get a good deal on it and thankfully the manager of the dealership is a man of his word.

 

[nelapse]

The Altenator has brushes that are similiar to brake pads on a car and they rub against a commutator, which the friction rubs against the brushes therefore creating electrical current. The brushes are probably getting bad. You can actually take the housing off and there is a mark which shows the limit. Why bother you know it's bad
Also sometimes it is good to take the housing off to check because the commutator, (the cylindrillical metal part that the brushes rub against) gets glazed over sometimes. You can tell because it gets really shiny. Sometimes you can get some ethyl alcohol and brush it off and it works fine. I hope this helps, its time for bed

 

[Defiant]

(No commutator, just slip rings.)

 

[nelapse]

Why do I always get helicopter parts mixed up with car parts?

 

[Grinder5]

I was taking a look at the alternator the other day and noticed that again the nut holding the alternator on has fallen off. this is the second time, the last time i had a back up from my old laser, but now i have nothing. Does anyone know the exact type of nut i need from a hardware store to work for this? I went to some autoparts places and they looked at me like i was stupid, they couldn't help at all. The alternator has made noise for a while, so i know it's going bad, but i'm sure this doesn't help. anyone know the size?