I did a search on this and found nothing so here goes...

I seem to have a slight metal sound coming from the area of my alternator that gets slightly louder with acceleration, then disappears when put in drive and accelerating. When braked, and in drive, you can hear it intermittently, but not as noticeable as when in park or neutral.

I've replaced the alternator 4 times last month. First one lasted 5 months and I think a bearing inside died. It screeched horribly when the AC compressor was on. It finally wouldn't charge and then I bought and installed 3 alternators that tested fine, but died in the car after installation. The final one has worked fine, but is making this sound, which leads me to believe it's on it's way out...AGAIN!

Z24 alternator changes are a PITA, but I need the car as it's my daily driver.

Anyone ever hear of such a thing? My only description of the noise is it sounds like a heat shield rattle that some cars have. It's a very light noise, something that's just loud enough to drive you nuts, but probably not noticeable to other people. I've listened to it in the engine compartment, and I swear it's coming from the alternator.

Are these engines known for eating up alternators?



You Must Be Fast, 'Cuz I Was Haulin' Ass When I passed You!!!
1999 Cavalier Z24 w/ Toyota Cavalier tail lights.
1988 Buick LeSabre T-Type
1983 Buick Regal T-Type

Might be the tensioner pulley going out, or the tensioner itself is not putting enough tension on the belt.

The screech would be a bearing seizing either in the alternator or in a belt pulley.
The light tin sound sounds like a heat shield, check your exhaust, steering rack and anything that has heat shields or has a spring wrap such as a fuel line or hydraulic line (steering etc).
Finally, disconnect your AC pump and see if that makes any difference, they are renouned for screeching when the de-cluching mechanizm goes haywire.
Finally, have you checked your power steering fluid lately?

Thanks for the info, it's raining now, but once we hit nice weather again. I'll be sure to look into it more.

Since the last 4 alternators, I haven't heard the screeching, which leads me to believe it was the first one dying. The AC compressor works fine and no longer is the cause of a loud screeching. It must have been bogging down the engine just enough to sieze the bearing in the alternator or something.

I'll check the P.S. Fluid, as well as spring wraps and heat shields.

Thanks for the help, hopefully I find the problem and put an end to this madness! I love the car, but the engine is driving me nuts!


You Must Be Fast, 'Cuz I Was Haulin' Ass When I passed You!!!
1999 Cavalier Z24 w/ Toyota Cavalier tail lights.
1988 Buick LeSabre T-Type
1983 Buick Regal T-Type