Alternator whine

[Jonathan]

My charging system appears to be working fine (for now), but I am getting a nasty RPM sensitive whine from (I believe) my alternator. The car is stock (just a cat back exhaust) and has about 75,000 miles on it.

Yeah, I could go to an Autozone or the like and get a rebuilt alternator for ~ $ 150.00 or take it to a dealer and really get hosed. I suppose I could also take my chances on a salvage yard alternator.

Any ideas on what the noise is ? If so, is it "fixable" ?

My understanding is that with these rebuilt alternators its basically a crap shoot. Many are decent and should last several years, but a large percentage either don't work at all or will likely fail in the next 6 months to a year.

IIRC Subaru did a "recall" about ten years ago because so many alternatore were below standards and failed prematurely. Did this recall include 1999 MY Legacys ?

Thanks !!!

[Okin DaVanh]

Natick? Wow... where's everyone been?


Anywho... How do you know for certain it's the alternator? Could be a bad ground or ???

If you have a system and the power wire is running along side your RCA's, that would also cause a whine. Check your factory wiring first and then go from there.

[Airgne]

also being a person that works at autozone part time. the alts are lifetime warranty. so if i goes bad go get a new one. if they tell you cant, tell them to get screwed and do it. cheack your belt, it might not be on right.