My alternator started whining and when i put down my windows it takes all the battery power so im guessing its going to die soon but how long do i have?

anyone? please? im starting a pizza delivery job tonight and need to know idf it will last the night

You gotta give us more than 5 minutes to respond.

What is the year and model of your car? Please add that info to your signature within your Profile.

1995 SE..i started the car again and it seems to be running okay but im getting a new alt. after work. anyone know how to change them? and about how long it takes to do

Takes about 20 minutes, two bolts and the wires.

there is def more than 2 bolts..i took the one of the back of the alternator then the bar that holds the alternator on..there is one that holds on a wire running from the battery to the alt. then one on the bottom left of the alt. whcih i have no idea how to get to?

can anyone help me out? and i unhooked the wire and put it back on and it says i have no battery power on my gauge in the car....ahhh help

how do you get the bolt off the bottom of the alternator??!!!

Do the 95'* have the S2?

If it is, you need to drop the belt. When you drop the belt, the tensioner will retract, and you'll be able to get to the bolt. 3 bolt'* on the front, one on the back, 1 wire plug and one hi current cable going back to the battery.

The important thing to check is where the amp gage is reading while running. It should be 14 volts just after starting it.
Alternators whine when there is a high current draw or when the rectifier bridge diode shorts out and sends current to ground. At this point you would have a burning smell from the unit.