Hey everyone, I have an 04 TL with 113K. I've tried researching this for a while now and haven't found exactly what I was looking for. My car recently started to make a "Supercharger" like sound from the drive belt area of my engine. It makes this whinning noise at idle and gets louder as the RPMS go up. Doesn't matter if the A/C is on or not, I turn the steering wheel and the sound stays the same. I did my timing belt service at 95K, and replaced most pulleys except the tensioner pulley. I went to Advance Auto and got the part, replaced it and the noise is still there. I'm now looking into my alternator as a suspect. I hear people discuss the pulley or bearing on it. Can anyone provide the part number or exactly what I need to get? I also did the test where you place a metal piece and put your ear up to certain parts and the noise is louder in the tensioner area.

What I'm asking is, can I replace just the pulley or bearing on my alternator and where can I find the part? Thanks.

 

do you have a dmm? if so check your volts with all you electronics turned on and see how your volts are. my altenator whined when it went out the first time. i replaced it with a autozone altenator and that one went out, didnt even have it 2 months. if it does turn out to be your altenator i recommend to not skimp and just go with the oem from the dealer..more expensive but hey it wont fuck up in 2 months like mine did

 

No, I don't. But I can take it to an Advance Auto Parts and check my volts there, correct? But definitely, OEM is usually the way to go, ha.

 

have you experienced any odd eletrical symptoms or a brunign smell from the engine that smells like burning electronics

 

if the alternator is the main cause of the noise you have to replace the whole alternator.

 

Yes, my car hasn't been starting for about 3 months now. And when I say not starting, I mean it takes me anywhere from 2-20 tries for my car to start. I get a buzzing noise coming from a relay by my fuse box. Bought a brand new starter and that didn't help at all. Before I even bought that new starter got my battery, alternator and starter checked and everything checked out. This was back when my car still wasn't starting, and that was a while ago. My car doesn't turn over, you can just hear a electrical type noise, not the rapid dead battery noise.

Other than that, there is no weird issues with electrical stuff.

 

Thanks for the feedback, man.

 

Out of curiosity did / does it sound at all like this:

youtu.be\oML639NhiWs

 

No, not at all. I'll try to post my video on here.

 

Here's a video I took of the sound. Currently at 113K, I replaced the Idler pulley at 95K when I did my timing belt service. I went to Advance Auto Parts two days ago and got a tensioner pulley, and that wasn't the issue. That belt was also replaced at 95K. All OEM, except the tensioner pulley I just purchased. I'm looking at my alternator next. Anyone have anymore suggestions or input? Thanks! This is very irritating.

 

I had that same noise start over the weekend on my 07 TL @ 94k and took it to the shop today and it's the alternator its failing so i'm getting a new one installed ill have my car back tomorrow will see if the noise is completely gone. I also had the timing belt, tensioners and water pump changed like 5 months ago also. Since my tensioners were making noise.

 

I have that same noise even after I changed my alternator. What ends should I do?