Name that tune... at start up.

[BullElk]

Sound I heard, didn't sound like alternator to me. But should be consider and checked.

A typical Alternator going bad, will often give early warning sounds. They squeals like a bad fan belt, idler or tension bearing. I can usually, narrow down location of squeal, with a stethoscope placed pulleys and on alternator. The alternator squeal sound, tend to come and go in beginning. In time, become constant. These usually end up, under charging battery. I see 8 out of 10 alternator, that fail prematurely. Do so, when #1 skid missing.

I see your battery gauge near 18V. But gauge reading, should be checked, with multimeter on battery. All reading should match. If overcharging (voltage), they burn out batteries fast.

A bad starter bendix drive. Sound a bit like, when ones hold IG SW in start position to long (after vehicle started).

View attachment 4105533View attachment 4105534

Could the grinding of the starter create enough resistance to cause the alternator to overcharge up to 16 V. Could the starter be causing the spike in voltage?

 

[2001LC]

How many volts to battery, is controlled by alternator (generator + voltage regulator = Alternator).
Whenever we start, we drain down battery.

The FSM test procedure pictured above. Is done after warm up, with Headlights, HVAC to drain battery and tax alternator. If over 14.8 V, voltage regulator bad. Again, I'd not fully trust dash gauge.

You can just pull into most any parts store, and they check alternator for free.

 

[BullElk]

How many volts to battery, is controlled by alternator (generator + voltage regulator = Alternator).
Whenever we start, we drain down battery.

The FSM test procedure pictured above. Is done after warm up, with Headlights, HVAC to drain battery and tax alternator. If over 14.8 V, voltage regulator bad. Again, I'd not fully trust dash gauge.

You can just pull into most any parts store, and they check alternator for free.

Vehicle is out of town away from me but I just had mechanic look for any bad wiring, fusible link, etc. and test alternator. He says the alternator tests out fine and thinks the grinding of the starter is making alternator briefly overcharge to create needed extra power. I plan to replace starter and see if he's right.

.....and mechanic had a new alternator I supplied for him to replace but didn't think it was needed.

 

[2001LC]

I don't like anyone replacing my starters. Why:
90-100 don't clean top of engine first. They drop sand down intake ports.
90-100 don't replace Intake gaskets.
98-100 don't use a torque wrench.

 

[BullElk]

I don't like anyone replacing my starters. Why:
90-100 don't clean top of engine first. They drop sand down intake ports.
90-100 don't replace Intake gaskets.
98-100 don't use a torque wrench.

That is exactly why I didn't allow this particular mechanic (out of town) to replace starter. My son is going to drive 4 hours to use mechanic I use and I KNOW will not do what you mentioned.

 

[BullElk]

FYI....... replaced starter with reman Denso. Now it starts properly and apparently with proper voltage. Around 14 volts running with no spikes or battery light.

 

[shane431]

FYI....... replaced starter with reman Denso. Now it starts properly and apparently with proper voltage. Around 14 volts running with no spikes or battery light.

And the noise is gone I'm assuming?

 

[BullElk]

And the noise is gone I'm assuming?

Yes. Noise is gone.

 

[BullElk]

FYI again....food for thought in case anyone accidentally clicks this thread. After 6 hours or so of my son driving the LX, the voltage was monitored at normal range of 13.7-14.1. The next day around midday leaving for lunch the battery would not charge above the 12.6 range. So he took it back to mechanic that tested alternator the first time and said it tested good.... which was right before leaving to drive 5 hours to me to use my mechanic to repalce starter. And alternator indeed acted good. But this time mechanic said it is not good. So it will be replaced tomorrow.

I realize a voltage regulator can be squirrely giving different readings but which is correct ?? I guess if it gives two different readings then its bad. Maybe this will rid of this bazarre electrical episode with the LX. Really bizzare.