What is causing a squealing noise in the alternater area of my 93 Ford Taurus and what can I do to fix it?

Question

1993 Ford Taurus GL 3.0 V6

Answer 1

Most likely the belt is worn out or just loose. Find someone to help you tighten it up.

Answer 2

Possibly your belt is loose. I don't remember if those have an automatic tensioner, but I think they do, you may need to replace that (usually you would change the belt at the same time they aren't too expensive). Another possible source is worn bearings in the alternator itself. A squeal is usually a belt, something more like chiming or ringing is more likely bearings. If you have tools and some aptitude/confidence, and are unsure, I would recommend the following. Remove your alternator. Bring it to AutoZone or a similar parts-house, ask them to check your alternator, this is a free service at any reputable parts house. when they put it on thier machine, listen for the noise. If it makes it, well then, that's where your problem lies. If not, more likely the belt, and/or tensioner (or something more deep rooted, hard to diag. long-distance without hearing seeing it myself). These are usually not hard to access/repair, so If you do have the tools (I believe those are metric, Ford has been switching to metric for some time) I recommend saving some money and doing it yourself. If you need any further assistance or procedural advice, let me know, I am at least moderately familiar with these vehicles. Good luck, Scott

Answer 3

I am assuming that this car has a serpentine belt.
the squealing could be caused by a bad bearing causing the belt to slip the bearing in the tensioner could even have been the on to have gone out. If you remove the belt look it over for wear and then reach in and try to wiggle all of the pulleys that it runs on if any of them seem loose you have probably found the problem. if they all seem good the tensioner spring could be bad causing the belt to be loose and slip. Or the belt could be just glazed enough to cause a slip but this would be rare.

Answer 4

Could be alternator belt, fan belt, water pump, pulleys for any of the above belts. Carefully take a bar of dry soap and lightly rub the belts down, one at a time while engine is NOT running, don't try the redneck way. Which ever belt is silenced, replace it soon as you can. Oh yeah, start the car after doing a belt, if squeak is still there, do another one.

Answer 5

either the belt or the bushing ( bearing ) in the alternater !!!! while running,carefully give the belt a shot of wd.40.....if the squealing stops,your belt needs tightning or most likely changing....good luck...

Answer 6

one ofthe belts are slipping too loose or too tight can cause this,check the rubber belts one on alternator one on the fan (maybe)u should be able to hold the belt between fingers and side turn about halfway through a complete turnover of belt,if your belt is too tight the altenator bearings/contacts will burn out

Answer 7

when it starts hissing and sqeaking it is going to transform into a rodent

just kidding..you can take a bar of soap and while your car is running hold the soap under the altenater belt....it will stop the squeaking temporarily. you may want to buy a new belt soon though. be careful and good luck.

Answer 8

I could also be the belt idler/tensioner, or an alternator bearing. This vehicle does have some age on it. The lubrication in the bearings dries out.

Answer 9

Belt tensioner common problem on fords.

Answer 10

get yourself a spray can of belt dressing form your local automotive shop. Belts become burnished and a spritz of belt dressing might get you another year or two out of it.