Alternator light flashing, hear noise
 

Hi folks,

Today while sitting in traffic I noticed that the alternator light was flashing at idle. When I got to work, and poped the "hood" I heard a slight whinning noise coming from the alternator. Also, the alternator belt pulley is not rotating evenly, kind of bobing up and down. I'm going to pull the thing aparts as soon as I get home tonight, just curious what could cause the pulley to rotate in that manner. :confused:

bearing on the alternator shaft going bad.

That noise got really loud and scarry on mine right before it went "kaput" in the middle of an intersection....which led to a gas station attendant and me pushing it to his lot!

noise is not constant, a slight whine...but I can definately see the pulley bobing up and down while spinning....

Sounds like the bearings are on the way out. Do some preventative maintenance and get it fixed/replaced before it leaves you stranded :(

"Sounds like the bearings are on the way out. Do some preventative maintenance and get it fixed/replaced before it leaves you stranded."

and before it ruins the fan which is not cheap.

If the fan starts banging do not keep driving and do not take off the belt and then drive. If this happens order up a "flatbed tow." Driving without cooling air will very quickly overheat and ruin the engine.

Thanks guys...I've already parked it until a new alternator arrives. No worries. SmileWavy As you can see from my sig. line there are plenty of other candidates to take for a drive....:D :D