My car makes a whining noise when the headlights are on. kinda like a dentist drill?

Question

It can only be heard when the engine is idle and the headlights are on if its in park it gets louder. I think it might be the alternator or powerstearing or something

Answer 1

The headlights add a large electrical load to your alterntor. Load on an alternator is felt by being harder to rotate the alternator by the drive belt. You said "dentist's drill".... that is by far, a different noise than a belt squeal which should only happen on accelration or revving up the engine.

What I think you are hearing is a worn out bearing on the alternator. That rotating part has two bearings, one in front and one in the back. They start to make noise when they go bad and increasing the load on them makes that noise more apparent.

So, the noise you hear when your headlights are on are the worn out bearings in your alternator. Given the choice, I would replace it with a factory remanufactured one... not a rebulit. Rebuilds, fix only what is wrong, clean it, and send it out the door with a one year warranty hoping it lasts past that. One year goes by quickly and the alternator can take out a perfectly good battery too. Don't scrimp on the alternator replacement but you don't have to buy an expensive factory new one either.

Good luck!

Answer 2

electrical system has nothing to do with the power steering,

, the brushes in the alternator are probably very worn down causing some electric arcing where they contact the armature, it will do this when a load is placed upon it -such as the headlights being on- have the alternator tested at your local battery shop thy can check it with the car running it only takes a coupleminutes and is free at most places

good luck

Answer 3

either your alternator belt is loose or you need power steering fluid. first check both--is there enough tension when the car is off in your alt belt?? look int5o the canister for the power steering--if it is not up to the mark, fill it. if these noises persist, call your favorite mechanic and go for diagnosis.
good luck.

Answer 4

Sounds like your alternator is bad. Take it to your local ADVANCE AUTO PARTS and have it checked out. This is a free service.

Answer 5

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