Dash Lights Went Crazy and Weird sound from Belt

[Sleepy]

Yesterday on way home from work dashboard started going crazy flashing on and off and gauges going up and down. I got home and parked in garage. Checked battery, just shy of 12.5 volts while off, so good. Turned on to test alternator and was over 13.5 volts so OK. It was my top suspect. Weird whining sound coming from front of engine the last week. Goes up and down with acceleration and deceleration. I thought maybe bearings on alternator going out or maybe belt needs adjusted. Anybody have a similar experience? Started up and drove to work with no problems this morning. Still have that weird sound though. 2007 GX with just under 70k miles. Did just start getting cold here and snowed for first time this winter on Sunday.

 

[GXO]

Idler bearing or slipping belt. Could be timing belt too. Hard to say... If you have lights you have stored codes

 

[Sleepy]

Thanks Dan. No lights anymore but will get codes read that may have shown. Timing belt done at 41k miles so I am hoping that is not the issue. Guessing the idler bearing or slipping belt. Does remind me of the sound I heard with the bearing went out on my 80. Thanks!

 

[Sleepy]

Autozone code was generic P2238 & P2241. Looks like O2 sensors but still does not explain belt noise. Will try what Dan suggested for that.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

I think alternator is still your #1 suspect.

 

[Sleepy]

Yeah, probably on the way out. I was trying to do upstream O2 sensors tonight but had trouble getting to them. Downstream look easy, but how do you get to upstream sensors?

 

[BlackCat]

Alt should be over 14 volts when running.

 

[Sleepy]

So I feel like a dumb ass. I ordered O2 sensors since that was what the Autozone codes said. I had to work last weekend and swap out a dishwasher Sunday night. I got to the sensors late at night but could not get them to turn so gave up before I damaged something. Hooked up battery to drive over to my mechanic and it was dead. This is at 2am Monday morning. I have to be at work by 8am. I threw on the charger and told my wife I think I have a bad battery. It will show 12.7 volts but something is off. I had a Monday morning appointment at the shop I had to book last Thursday so did not want to miss my window if something was wrong beyond the battery. She said just drop it off and get it done. Sure enough, battery had less than 30 cold cranking amps. Not going to get it done in an Iowa winter! They tested the O2 sensors and said they were fine. Alternator was OK. I still think it is on the way out. In the end, I just got a new battery. Cost me $100 for the time so not terrible. Just wish I would have pulled the battery out and had it tested in the first place. Never had a truck throw weird codes from a bad battery. Of course, this is my first vehicle made after 1995 I have owned.

 

[Sleepy]

Hoosier Daddy, BlackCat, pretty much everyone, you nailed it. Car died again this morning. Has to be alternator. You can hear the damn thing making noise. Getting replaced ASAP. I have no time for wrenching right now. Would take this 2 banana mechanic way too long this weekend and the schedule is full.