So I had my stock alternator start acting up. It was over charging. Decided to replace it and upgrade all at once. Maybe it was the wiring, maybe it was the alternator, but either way I needed a more powerful alternator for a future stereo upgrade. I got a Polished 140 Amp Tough Stuff from Summit.
Due to being jobless for about 2 years, I sat on the install. I wanted to redo the wiring as well, but could not justify the expense while I was unemployed. So the car and alternator sat and waited. I just got my job situation stable enough to start back on the car. Got the Alternator installed and had to redo a bunch of bad previous owner wiring. Between the alternator and the rewiring, I think it fixed 99% of my old issues with the car (intermittant start and overcharging/undercharging).
So back on point, when the car was first started it had a crazy whirring/buzzing/whine noise that was insanely LOUD. Sounded like a crazed jet engine... LOL! We listened around and it was definately the alternator. I just let the car run as it was a new and I was not sure if it having sat so long had something to do with it. After a few minutes passed, it then quieted down. Now it seems at every start up the alternator will make that noise, but MUCH quieter then the first time. Then in about 30 secs it will be quiet.
The car finally had its maiden voyage to a Crusie on Saturday evening, when I cranked it up to leave I had a few friends around the car. One of the guys said "hey sounds like your alternator is going out". I was like "what, its new"! He said "that whine... alternators do that when the bearing is going out, and they are about to die".
Is he right? Did I get a bad alternator??? Good grief!
It only does it at start up for 30 seconds or so, then its quite as a mouse... what gives?
What do I do now???
Thank you!
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11:55 AM
PFF
System Bot
Xanth Member
Posts: 6886 From: Massachusetts Registered: May 2006
Do you happen to have a voltage gauge installed and can see if the voltage is spiking high when it makes that noise
I'm wondering if maybe there is a drain somewhere while the car is off, and the alternator is faced with a large load from a partially drained battery when first started.
[This message has been edited by Xanth (edited 10-24-2011).]
The factory gauge does not spike at all during the noise. At the alternator's first start, the battery was NEW and was connected to the car for only about 5 minutes prior to fire up. Then at the cruise, I disconnected my battery to be sure the interior lights did not drain my battery for the 6 hours it sat with the doors open.
[This message has been edited by redraif (edited 10-24-2011).]
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01:20 PM
phonedawgz Member
Posts: 17103 From: Green Bay, WI USA Registered: Dec 2009
When you first start the car, the drain from recharging the battery is highest. You probably have some laminations in the alternator that are a little loose. The higher magnetic field vibrates them. It's the same reason an electric motor makes more noise when it is under a higher load.
Bottom line is if the alternator is out of warranty it really doesn't make a difference. You can't take it back.
Well if something is wrong then I need to know if it is going to fail. With only 20 miles on the alternator out of warranty or not im sure I can have a discussion with the manufacturer and get something resolved. I have to check but I might even have a lifetime warranty.
I think I would try unpluging it and then starting it cold and see if it makes noise, that will tell you if it is mechanical or noise caused by the current draw. Larry
I think I would try unpluging it and then starting it cold and see if it makes noise, that will tell you if it is mechanical or noise caused by the current draw. Larry
