alternator making strange sound

[jkastning]

Pulley on the alternator is vibrating a little and while it vibrates a scraping sound occurs. Both belts are tight and the nut on the pulley is tight also. Shoud I remove it and replace the pulley or what? never experienced this before

Jarod
88fj62

 

[Romer]

Loosen the belt and see if the pully has any movement that shouldn't be there. If it does, the pully assembly would has come loose, possibly from the inside. This happened to me. Otherwise, you have an internal problem. Possible the brushes.

For either problem you should replace the alt, going bad while your driving would not be a good thing. Verify it is the alt that is making the noise.

 

[Degnol]

If it is alt bearings, they can be replaced fairly cheap...$30-40.
Put a wood dowel to your ear and on the alt and see if it is "growling"
GL

 

[jkastning]

felt the alt while it was running; pretty rough/vibrating, something isnt right inside. Where can I get these bearings? thanks for the help

Jarod

 

[dd113]

Buy the rebuild from toyota. CCOT has a good price on it. Not Avail new. NAPA et al are bull****. 2 days in Dallas taught me this.

 

[Degnol]

David knows more than I do, but just replacing the bearings is not expensive, like I said. If you take your alt to a local auto/elect shop, they will bench test, check diodes, output and bearings and it probably won't cost you near what a rebuilt will. Ask around and network, if you get the same name more than once, probably the right choice. Much less $ if you take it in.
.02
Ed

 

[jkastning]

Thanks for all the advice. Took it to the local auto electric shop today and got it fixed - didn't have the parts available quick enough to do it myself and didn't want it to lock up while driving. They rebuilt it with new bearings, brushes , and generator with labor and warranty for $150. Not too bad considering one from NAPA is about $220 and probably a PITA to install.

Jarod