Have had my 88 GT stored since early November and have been starting & running it occationaly since then. A few days ago I started it and let it run for about 15-20 minutes to make sure the engine got up to operating temp. I went back into the house for a few minutes and when I came out I could definatley hear a high pitched noise eminating from the vehicle (this was with me standing about 20 feet from the garage). As I got closer to the car the sound didn't sound as loud but the rest of the engine noises may have drown it out some. Anyway, I used the antenna as a probe (one end against my ear, the other against parts)and listened to various parts of the engine. When I placed the probe onto the alternator near the pully side I could distinctly hear that it was the sorce of the noise. It was a high pitched howling type of noise. A buddy of mine thought it was normal for the alternator to do this while "charging" a slightly drained battery and it would go away once full charge was acheived. But I think the alternator is on it's way to the scrap heap. I have not had any major eletrical problems but fear that I may if the alt. is going bad. Should I replace it now or wait and see if the problem (noise) gets worse. I won't be driving it untill springtime, so I'm not too worried about it right now, but would like to know if it is something I should budget some time and money to do before I hit the road.

It sounds like the bearing on the alternator is on its way out. You could drive it like that for a while until it seizes and eats the belt. You're better off getting a replacement one in the near future.

I agree with avengador1 about the bearing. There are many places that will rubuild alternators really cheap. Maybe you should look into that.

I agree. I had an alternator lock up and it fried the belt and left me stranded at work. Slap a new one on and call it done.

A high pitched whine (not a rumble) is usually a diode out in the rectifier bridge in the alternator. Depending on which diode it is it may or may not turn on the idiot light, it will usually still be charging but not at total capacity. A shop with a deacent atrernator testor can easily spot this.

definitely do the alternator now. you will save a lot of regret later.

take the alt. to your local pepboys or auto zone and let them test it. if its good than great. if not than your in the right place to get a new one. better to do it now than be stranded on the road wishing you did it sooner.

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