I started my Alero tonight, noticed a subtle whine, opned the hood, there was some smoke, couldnt tell, it was dark, and it kinda smelt the way my Bonneville did when the Alt bearings went.
The alt is defintally making a while noise, im going to remove the belt tomorrow and turn it by hand.

if you have a warrenty, DON'T TOUCH!!!!

yeah it has a warranty, but it takes seconds to loosen the tensioner and move the pulley
i like checkin things out myself lol

my alternator is doin the same thing i am bout to swap out mine from my other bonnie for right now till i get me a napa alternator

I've found that if you watch the voltage of a battery, with a failing alternator, it can't keep up when you rev the engine. But, with a good alternator, the voltage will increase. You can try that, but I don't know how accurate it is.


-justin

My alternator whined for 1 day before it quit.