Hello everyone. I could use some Honda-Tech insight right about now. I did a search and sifted through about 5 pages of alternator voltage/amperage problems, but only a couple of noise problems that this has nothing to do with.

Here goes... When I start my car in the morning, or when it's cold, it makes a regular, intermittent very very low whining sound from the alternator or surrounding area. This sound gets louder as I put more load on the electrical system, and gets quieter as it warms up.

If anyone has any experience with an issue like this, any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Edit: see my post below


Modified by CycloneBlue_1.6EL at 9:10 AM 12/8/2004

 

If the winig noise is coming from the alt. the diodes inside are going bad most likely

 

time for a new alternator

mine is doing the same thing

 

It's probably not this but I had a horrendously loud whining from the alternator when the belt wasn't tight in the same circumstances you do. But mine also occured while downshifting or just braking or even upshifting into fifth. Check to see if the belt is tight... but it is probably diodes if it's a relatively quiet whine.

 

I hate trying to describe a noise, but I found a better word to describe it... it's less of a low whine, and more of a low toned grinding sound. That's still probably not the best word to describe it, but it's better than whining.

It's like this:

grind...grind...grind...grind...grind...grind...gr ind...grind...etc...

The time between grind sounds decreases as RPM's increase. The grind noise itself becomes louder as more load is put on it, and quieter as it warms up. That's a bit more descriptive.

 

bump

 

Alternator belt is too tight?

 

The belt tension seems to be normal...

This one's definitely turning out to be a tough one...

 

My moms car started making the same noise about 2 days ago. Its like a loud whining noise coming from where the alternator/compressor is at. My mom took it to a mechanic and he told her the alternator was dirty(ive never heard that one before) and causing that noise.

I checked the tension on the belt and it was fine. Alternator looks fine. I did notice that when i turn the air conditioning on the noise gets louder like it would be the clutch on the compressor or something wrong with the belt itself....

Bump for more info

 

94-hatch you seem to have the "A/C tensioner pulley growl" problem it is discribed in a TSB from Honda as being a problem. The bearings in the tensioner pulley are no good they updated the part it is $39. Go to your local Honda dealer and as for a TSB print out for A/C tensioner pulley growl. My girls '99 EX does it with 63k on the clock.