Hey Guys-
Looking for any suggestions you guys may have. I have a 99TL and suddenly when it is running Im getting this obnoxious grinding noise on the passenger side of the car. I can hear it with the windows up while driving with the radio down. It seems to quiet down when I engage the AC button but when I turn off the AC it gets even louder. Driving me crazy and Im starting to smell something like a burning smell. I tried to listen for the sound but its kinda hard to tell where its comming from. I think its either the alternator, ps pump or some belt or something. Anyone else had these symptoms before as it would surely kill my curiosity and so that I can go ahead and get it fixed. Dont know how much whatever it is would cost me to fix. I am open to suggestions. Thanks.

**Also whatever you think it may be, how hard is it to fix and the cost if I had the mechanic do it.***

 

it may be the tensioner pulley for the AC belt-
get a $5 mechanics stethascope and listen to the ps pump- the alternator. and the belt pulley.
One will sound like a bad garage band- screeching, growling and grinding noises-- compared to the realative smooth constant whirring sound of the good parts

On my 01 it was $80 part and 1.5 hours labor- My hand would not fit in the small area so I paid a shop to do it for me- the tech came out with cut arms and hands- it was well worth paying him!

 

Thanks bro thats what I was thinking it was I sure hope that this is the issue. Ill get a stetsascope and try to listen.