ok first off, sorry for making ANOTHER thread within couple days...but ive been doing the search but cant really figure out what the issue is...ever since i got my CL the dash/head lights flickered when i put the turn signals on, open my windows, or w/e but i left it...three weeks ago i noticed a whining/ clicking noise coming from the alternator, it sounds horrible when its warming up. driving it , it sounds like a supercharger (whining noise) as i slow down, its the same...idle i hear it more...i took it to one of the mechanics i know, and he said the alternator is good...how so? so what am i hearing? IMO i think it needs to be changed...wha do u guys think...

 

hum...interesting. I hear the same thing, but it's my AC compressor. I disconnected the power to the compressor and the sound went away. (bad compressor, will be replaced soon) Stupid question, are you SURE it's coming from your alternator? Get a second opinion. Dont know if your local auto parts store can test your alternator, but over here in Seattle, auto parts stores can test the alternator for functionality. If it's bad, why not change it yourself? Alternators are not that expensive and if you're mechanically inclined, it should take you ~2hrs or so.

 

alt's are cheap but a pita to change out. Im prob gonna change out my perfectly fine ho alt for a bigger ho alt

 

try some belt dressing

 

on a 2.2 it looks like a real pita to do. Got take out the power steering. Also to pry that bolt you'll need the right equipment.

 

I believe he has a 3.0

 

yes Chris I do have a 3.0...and now imma go turn the engine on and take out the negative cable off the battery and see if the engine dies...if so, then the alt is gone...OR imma take it to a alt[generator specialist...

 

if your sure its coming from the alternator.. could be its startin to go bad.. the whining is from the bearing on the pulley the belt rides on.. not necessarily going to stop charging correctly but could seize up on you. if its comin from ur compressor.. could be dried up..in which case you need to put in an oil charge.

 

btw.. that test used to work better with older cars.. if u do that ur just gonna kill ur battery

 

Yeah i would never pull the negative batter cable from a car while it's running!

 

If it's not the belt it's the bearing

 

so basicallly jus get a new alternator??? if so...is the re-manufactured alt any good???

 

+1 on the bad bearing.

Only go with reman, it will last just as long as new.

 

btw, there's a diy in the diy/faq forum for changing a 3.0 alt

 

cool cool! imma buy and do it myself...i didnt check the DIY...but i think i gotta take out the motor mount, uphold the motor, take out the windshield resevior and power steering...i think ths how imma go with it...and imma buy the reman. alt.

 

if yu buy the reman alternator from autozone.. make sure they check it before you buy it.. i work there and we have some problems with them from time to time.. they do come with lifetime warranties.. but its better to have it checked before to save you some time and money.

 

I bought an alternator with a lifetime warranty after having one fail in just over a year. It was a little bit more expensive, but it's nice to know I can go back to Advanced Auto Parts and get another one for free. I think it's well worth it because of how frequently our cars need alternators. Just something to consider.

 

Haha, I had the same problem but found out that it was RF interference with my radio. The sound pitch would get higher and higher as the RPMs increase. It was awesome and made me feel ricey. It went away immediately after I turned off the headunit.

I still need a new alt too..

 

the noise went away...well for now...i mean its funny cuz its a lil warm out now..and the noise is not there...but wait till its cold again the noise will come back...idk...my car is weird...imma jus change the damn thing...

 

The cold will make that bearing louder! To do a quicktest on the bearing, pull off the serpentine belt and spin the alt. You gotta have a good ear to hear if the bearing is bad. A good bearing will allow the pulley to spin smoothly and quietly. If its bad, you'll hear the damaged ball bearings sound like sand in a dryer once you spin the pulley. It may even star squeaking ever so slightly HTH...