Whining noise, from ~600-1800rpms

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So I just picked up my alternator from the rebuild shop about an hour ago and threw it back on the hundy. The noise is gone! Thanks everyone that helped me figure this out. In all my years of wrenching, I had never heard an alternator make a noise like that. Just goes to show you can never stop learning things!

It had only been about three weeks, but I forgot how quiet these motors are without that awful whine!
 
Good job.

Your perseverance is to be commended.

The 2UZ-FE engine is noted for being quiet and smooth running....when everything is working correctly.

Glad you got it figured out.

Flint.
 
Jackson Sanders said:
So I just picked up my alternator from the rebuild shop about an hour ago and threw it back on the hundy. The noise is gone! Thanks everyone that helped me figure this out. In all my years of wrenching, I had never heard an alternator make a noise like that. Just goes to show you can never stop learning things!

It had only been about three weeks, but I forgot how quiet these motors are without that awful whine!
Click to expand...

In all my years of wrenching, I hear it all too often.
 
One little tip on the alternator removal that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere (maybe it's LX specific?) is that when removing the alternator from the underside of the vehicle, there is a bracket that holds two hardline in place. One simple 10mm bolt holds the lines to the bracket, and by removing said bolt I was able to push the hard lines out of the way (they are attached to flexible lines on each end) and squeeze the alternator through all the remaining hoses without removing the lower radiator hose and draining the coolant from the radiator. It is very tight, but it fit through with a little work.

This made the job much easier for me as I was doing this R&R in a parking garage and really didn't want to have to deal with removing and replacing coolant in that environment.
 
Quick question, I too discovered an engine whine on startup this morning, the whine fluxtuates in pitch with engine RPM's, getting louder and higher pitched with more RPM's. I'm wondering if it is the alternator. I have a cheap 12v gauge in my cigarette lighter and lately I've been noticing pretty low volts while driving, like low 13's even with no electric loads on in the vehicle...

I'm wondering if the lower volt readings and now this new whine are signs of an alternator about to go out. Any thoughts?
 
vman07 said:
Quick question, I too discovered an engine whine on startup this morning, the whine fluxtuates in pitch with engine RPM's, getting louder and higher pitched with more RPM's. I'm wondering if it is the alternator. I have a cheap 12v gauge in my cigarette lighter and lately I've been noticing pretty low volts while driving, like low 13's even with no electric loads on in the vehicle...

I'm wondering if the lower volt readings and now this new whine are signs of an alternator about to go out. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Could be any number of things (or even more than one item). One way to perhaps indicate the alternator as the 'source' is to load it at idle.

Find a nice quiet spot, start the engine, note the level and pitch of the 'whine'. Then turn on your headlights (low beam) and listen for a change in the sound. Next toggle back and forth between high beam and low beam and listen for an increase in the sound level. IF you hear a substantial increase in the noise level or distinct change in 'pitch' then your alternator bearings are likely the culprit.

While you have the engine running (at idle in park), move the steering wheel back and forth. IF the 'whining' sound increases....look to your power steering pump (low fluid, worn out fluid, pump failing).

IF none of the above....makes any change, then start looking at individual pulleys as the source. Some you can reach (all on the front of the engine), others (timing belt and water pump related) you can not.
 
Hey all...getting a similar noise on our 100. Will try these tricks. Also wondered if it's acceptable to remove the serpentine belt. Would definitely eliminate a lot of pulleys (and the alternator), but want to make sure this is appropriate.
 
Sure remove the drive belt (aka serpentine) and run engine for a short time. You just not have fan, alt, vane pump (power steering) or AC.
 
Thought I would circle back around on my issue. I pulled the serpentine belt and the noise is goes away. So that leave the alternator, the power steering pump, an idler pulley, the tensioner pulley and the AC compressor. I do know that my PS reservoir was low. Topped it off and still makes the noise (didn't seem to change it a bit). My noise changes/intensifies with RPM (sounds like a supercharger). It does not change when I put a load on the alternator so not sure it is the alternator. When I had the serpentine belt off, the pulleys didn't feel bad, but heard to tell I guess. I listened to the alternator and PS pump with a broom stick and seemed the PS pump was the loudest. I was convinced it was the PS pump and thought that maybe the reservoir was plugged with junk. Cleaned it out and replaced with new fluid and the noise is still there. I would think that if it is air in the system or the PS pump is failing, the noise would change with either new fluid or when trying to turn the wheels, but that doesn't seem to make a difference. I hate to start throwing parts at it, so looking for some other guidance. I did have the alternator rebuilt about 3 years ago. Don't know if they replaced the bearings. Also, I do know my battery is probably due for replacement (~4 years old now), but noise doesn't change with electrical load. Thoughts?
 
For alternator, I use a stethoscope.
Make sure you use AT fluid in PS reservoir, as is note on reservoir cap. Toyota does not use Power Steering fluid.

Very easy to check health of idler and tensioner pulley bearings.
 
Hey all (and OP if still around). Having same noise and noticed alt gauge was reading a little low but only for a short while. No issues starting etc. have been towing recently and using alt to charge the van battery and a second one is the back of the cruiser so maybe all linked… anyway will load a vid and can anyone confirm this noise is that alternator noise?

Alt whine vid on YouTube
 
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