Author Topic: Alternator Whine?  (Read 5918 times)

lakeholme

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Alternator Whine?
« on: May 20, 2007, 06:23:34 PM »
OK, what does it mean when the alternator has a distinct high pitched whine?

I looked at a 68 Camaro similar to mine for a friend yesterday, and I couldn't help but notice this whine.  The idle is set up way too high on the car so that may account for some of it.

BTW, the date on the alternator shows it is a 69 alternator, so I told him he would probably want to replace it everntually anyway.  The car was in good shape otherwise --just in need of a good tune up.  But the whine was noticeable...
Phillip, HNR & NCR-AACA, Senior Master, Team Captain, Admin.,
Spring Southeastern Nationals chair, AACA National Director

68Zproject

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Re: Alternator Whine?
« Reply #1 on: May 21, 2007, 06:57:21 AM »
Bearing going out?  He could sell the alt. and make enough to pay for 10 aftermarket ones if it's a Z28 alt.
« Last Edit: May 21, 2007, 06:59:59 AM by 68Zproject »
68Z28

dab67

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Re: Alternator Whine?
« Reply #2 on: May 21, 2007, 04:32:11 PM »
Phillip:

I agree, sounds like a bearing going out. I replaced mine at the end of the last yearwith the same symptoms.

Dave

rich69rs

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Re: Alternator Whine?
« Reply #3 on: May 21, 2007, 06:12:58 PM »
Similar experience as well - time for a rebuild.
Richard Thomas
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1968RSZ28

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Re: Alternator Whine?
« Reply #4 on: May 21, 2007, 06:30:58 PM »
And while you have it apart replacing both bearings, don't forget to replace the brushes too!  It's easy and a lot of fun!   :)

Paul

dab67

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Re: Alternator Whine?
« Reply #5 on: May 21, 2007, 06:33:40 PM »
Or another possibility could be the water pump. Sometimes the sound of where you think it is coming from may actually be someplace else :-\

lakeholme

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Re: Alternator Whine?
« Reply #6 on: May 21, 2007, 09:14:00 PM »
Thanks for the help!  I thought it might be a bearing, but I've never dealt with that, so it's helpful to talk with those who have.  ;D
Phillip, HNR & NCR-AACA, Senior Master, Team Captain, Admin.,
Spring Southeastern Nationals chair, AACA National Director

 

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