Does it make any noise?
2007-12-01 13:28:45 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
an alternator can make noise if its going out due to the bearings inside
you can make sure what it is by cupping your hand around the end of a pry bar and placing the other end on the alternator housing when the engine is running
you'll be able to hear it if it's going out
you can also use this to listen to all the components on the engine just be careful about the fan
2007-12-01 13:34:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The alternator can have a bad bearing and make the noise. Your belt roller can also cause the same type of noise. At no cost to you take it to the nearest auto parts store. They can check the alternator for you. If you need to locate the noise take a real large screw driver and place the slot end onto the alternators body while the car is running and listen to the butt end. The noise will magnify thru the screw driver so you can pin point it. You battery will be happy that you did. Also while your under there pop off the battery plugs and check to see the water level (beware acid) If needed add distilled water to ring level. put plug tops back on.
2007-12-01 21:45:40 · answer #2 · answered by Big Deal Maker 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No it will not make a noise, unlees the belt has come loose and then it will screech like a banshee.
If you want to test your alternator, get a voltmeter and start the car up put terminals of voltmeter on the correct terminals of the battery and if the meter shows around 14.4 volts then you are ok any thing below and it is on the way out.
2007-12-03 06:44:48 · answer #3 · answered by TERRY READ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could make a noise if the bearings are shot... A noise might be nothing to worry about unless it bothers you...
How you see if it's working is to disconnect a battery cable while the car's running. A car with a good alternator should continue to run with the battery disconnected. If you remove the positive cable, be careful not to touch any metal (ground) with it.
A volt meter won't tell you anything unless you disconnect the battery so the voltage being measured is coming from the alternator, not the battery. If you do that and the car's still running... you don't need the volt meter to tell you the alternator's working...
2007-12-01 21:32:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
The only way to know for sure is go by your local auto parts store.They'll put a tester on your car while its running and be able to tell you if it's the alternator or something else. An alternator can get noisy and still be charging.
2007-12-01 21:34:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Usually a dashboard light will come on. You can drive shortly with a bad alt but it's job to to charge the battery and you can only go so far till your batter is dead. Don't know about noise, but haven't heard of that before ...
2007-12-01 21:33:45 · answer #6 · answered by Keith S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Those noises will go on for years without any real consequences. So you can't go by that.
The answer to your question is really a volt meter. You'd be insane not to own one. About half of life's problems require a volt meter to solve, and they only cost $5. $3 at harbor frieght.
1001 uses.
2007-12-01 21:36:20 · answer #7 · answered by Firebird 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your Generator or Charge light (sometimes just a picture of a battery with + - in it) is coming on (even just dim) you're alt. is going bad, or if you have a voltage gauge, if it's reading below 12, or below the 'Normal' range, your alt. is going bad.
2007-12-01 21:33:48 · answer #8 · answered by p3200tmz 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
your battery won't hold a charge.
2007-12-01 21:32:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋