Canadia

After a 1700 mile trip to tennessee and back, i've begun noticing a consistent, smooth, scraping/chafing sound coming from the engine compartment, as if something is really straining to do its job. It's RPM sensitive, though it gets hard to detect changes in tone over the increased engine noise. Also, there's some very audible electrical clicking/snapping, at a rate of about 5 clicks per second, heard more easily from the passenger's side. Is that where the alternator is located?

I've been told by my indie several months ago that i should keep my eye on it because it's been "making noise", though exacerbated symptoms like these have just recently cropped up.

S4_Cinci (I S'edTFA)

any voltage irregularities, or just the noise? I've never had one go bad like that - just have had the brushes wear out and the voltage output would then drop and fail to recharge the battery sufficiently.

Canadia

I've got an appt. with my indie coming up, and it's definitely going to be an area of concern

MrFine

My recent experience is the same. No noises, just voltage irregularity followed by failure.

thxguy

and it was not a pretty site- the voltage started sagging and then later the same day I saw the voltage dropping from the normal position (at 14v on the meter) like a stone towards 8. It cost me about $450 CDN to change- including labour- so it's not that hard a hit.
Go by your local indy and get 'em to do a load test- mine did not make any noise that I noticed prior to failure BTW...

When it goes - it goes when you don't want it to- save yourself the towing bill and get it load tested and replace if necessary- it took mu guy about 1.5 hrs- including getting the part delivered.

as to location...The alternator is located directly behind the fan that is located on the passenger side- easier to see from the bottom than the top- they have to remove the fan, and the engine oil hoses on the bottom in order to access the alternator. It is about 1.5 feet off the ground (when the car is sitting on it's own wheels) Hope this helps- oh yeah it is silver on colour and has lots of slots in it-

Raudi_6 akaDeutschMF

Cough Cough, tell the battery I love her, cough cough,gghhhh-- JK LOL

Canadia

103k miles as of today

02 Silver Arrow

"Oh no I don't want to die yet" In a raspy voice

S4_Cinci (I S'edTFA)

=)