KenD Posted April 3, 2004 Report Share Posted April 3, 2004 I've been having this annoying growling, rumbling noise for about the last year and have not been able to place it. Today, since it was nice out, I placed the car on some ramps and crawled under to listen a little better since it was coming from the accessories side of the car. I have pretty much pin pointed it to my alternator. I placed my hand on it and it was growling pretty good. I also check to see if it was my A/C but that was quiet. I went into diagnostics and turned the alternator off via the computer and the growling subsided substantially to just a few little sputters if anything at all. Now, once I take this thing out, can it be rebuilt? I have read in the archives about generator rebuilds and the like but in my service manual it says that it can't be done. Then again, it also says that you have to take out half of the front end of the engine to replace the bloody thing, whereas we know that you only really have to take off the splash guards. Any input would be appreciated. Ken 1994 STS Pearl White 260,000 KM (163,000 miles) <img src="http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v137/caesar/caddycaesar.jpg" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkjr Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 I've never had an alternator apart and can hardly even see the one in my seville(LOL), but I have rebuilt several electric motors and the growling sounds like a bad bearing or sleeve(if it doesn't have bearings). When you take it out see if there is any 'play' in the shaft, it should not move side to side. Also, I would make sure the belt tensioner is working. A tight serpentine belt would also do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 I am pretty sure all alternators are rebuildable. I have had one apart years ago and replaced the retifier bridge, brushes and regulator for a mear $20. Yours sounds like it is a bearing issue. That may take some help from a shop to press out the bearings. You may be able to do it yourself with an arbor press or vice with some enginuity but I have never done bearings on an alternator so I do not speak from expirience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
growe3 Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 Not sure where you are located but I just priced one at Kragen's for my 93' STS; $149 rebuilt. I would make sure to match your existing alternator as there were several different manufacturers, not sure why maybe won't matter. Some were for the heated windshield option. All seemed to be 140 amps. New over $500 Parts are availible from http://www.partszoneonline.com -George Drive'em like you own 'em. - ....................04 DTS............................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAUL T Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 I think GM quit making rebuildable alternators back in the 80's. They want you to return them so they can rebuild them and resell them. I tried to rebuild a late model alternator only to find everything soldered together and unable to find parts anywhere. Trying to find parts stopped me from rebuilding them. If you find a place that sells rebuild kits please post it's whereabouts, I would be interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenD Posted April 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 I just looked at gmpartsdirect and they have one for $120. They also have a core charge, so I'm thinking that they are rebuildable.... The dealership wants $378 for a new one and that's with the core charge taken out of it. I'm going to let it ride for a while. It's lasted almost a good year now and the volts are still up in the car at about 13.8- 14.5 so it's charging really well. I might get the dealership to diagnose it so I don't just replace something that I don't need to. 1994 STS Pearl White 260,000 KM (163,000 miles) <img src="http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v137/caesar/caddycaesar.jpg" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 I think GM quit making rebuildable alternators back in the 80's. That's about the time I rebuilt one. I think it was an '83 or '85 Eldo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAUL T Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 Have you checked your idler pulley. They will cause the sound you described. You could make a stethescope out of a piece of garden hose or any rubber tubing and put one end up to your ear and the other on what you suspect is causing the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenD Posted April 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 I replaced the idler and tensioner pulley as they were whining quite a bit. That was just a couple of months ago. I suspected that the noise was from the A/C. I placed a screwdriver to the some of the components and kind of listened and felt for trouble, and the most noise and vibration was coming from the alternator. It kind of sounds like a cement truck mixing up the cement. 1994 STS Pearl White 260,000 KM (163,000 miles) <img src="http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v137/caesar/caddycaesar.jpg" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJ Posted April 4, 2004 Report Share Posted April 4, 2004 Please, don't anybody buy one of those stethoscopes they transmit too many sounds from the working engine. Much better to use the low tech rubber hose as it is more specific about transmitting just the noise from the touched part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocky2 Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Had bearings put in alternator last year for $30. I think its a bit easier to remove from a 4.9. Turned out to be the water pump that was making the noise. The guy at the shop said they can rebuild alternators/generators from anything...boats, airplanes, cars, trucks etc. Said they had "certain ways" of dealing with issues that manufacturers did to make it difficult for the average guy to work on these. Hmmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeb Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 I picked up new alternator bearings a year ago. I drag my feet on repairs i suppose. my alt. rumbles also. i did change the idler pulley and belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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