4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/alternator noise

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Expert: - 4/26/2004


Question
Hi Carl
I have a 1995 jeep wrangler 6 cylinder with 50K miles. The other day i noticed that everytime i start the motor the first time. i get a squealing noice that appears to me to be in the alternator, it almost sounds like a dry bearring noise? its seems to charge the battery ok. then after driving it a while it goes away? i replaced the serpentine belt about 10K miles ago.
its been doing this everytime i start the motor?
thanks
Dino

Answer
Dino,

This could still be the serpentine belt.  They do tend to squeal if they are not tight enough.  Check the tension on the belt, as they have to be extremely tight compared to the old v-belts.  You should, also have an idler wheel that rides on the belt.  I have seen the bearings in these go bad and squeal.  There is a chance that a bearing, or bushing may be going out in the alternator also.  See if you can find someone with an automotive stethoscope, and use it to isolate the noise.

  Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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