how to tell what pulley is bad?

[NB592]

I seem to have a bad pulley on the eclipse (bearings in the pulley)
The only problem is I'm not sure which one it is.
it LOOKS to me like it's in the A/C clutch, if that's the one thats directly below the brake fluid reservoir
It appeared when it smoked a little bit while I had it idling that this is where it originated
Now the car does not want to start and seems like it isn't holding much voltage, so I wondered if it was the alternator?
just trying to pin point the problem so I know what to order 0.0
any ideas that help to figure this out would be appreciated!

 

[MrBoxx]

Go to Harbor Freight with $3.99+ 6% sales tax. Buy one of these:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Start the car. Put the round things in your ears. Put the pointy part on your alternator, NEAR the pulley, but not ON the pulley. Then put it on the AC compressor, again NEAR the pulley, but not ON the pulley. Make sure the AC is ON when you're doing this, so you can actually hear it with the clutch engaged. Put the pointy stick-lookin' part on the power steering pump. You get the picture. You should be able to hear what a good pulley sounds like and what a bad pulley sounds like.

If you can't afford the mechanic's stethoscope, a really long flat-head screwdriver works too.

 

[Colt4G63 also]

I have one of those that somone gave me. It works pretty well. I put some 10' hoses on mine, and taped the pointy end to the rear end housing on a Jeep. It was a little muffled, but worked spectacularly for such a cheap piece of equipment. It'a a little scratchy/rough where it jams in your ears though.

I generally just use a 24" extension bar for pulleys and engine noises.

 

[luv2rallye]

Or you can just remove 1 accessory belt at a time until the noise goes away to find it.

 

[Alex7747]

Or you can just remove 1 accessory belt at a time until the noise goes away to find it.

. my vote goes to this

 

[bcjjones]

Yea I agree with removing the belt. You can then also wiggle the pulleys with the belt off and of there is play in one or them then that's your problem

 

[NB592]

Thanks guys
The only problem is I cant hardly get to some of those pulleys since their in so tight
But now that I think about it pulling the belt and moving the brake reservoir I might have a chance to get down at the one I THINK it is

 

[keithcfisher29]

i also agree with pullin 1 belt at a time it woks