Alternator Going Bad?

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MrSony

Geezer
Nov 15, 2014
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Des Moines, Iowa
About two hours ago as of writing this I've heard a loud audible squeal that rises with engine rpm. I'm used to belt squeal, going through three before I realized my pulleys were misaligned. I went out and checked. After driving around for 30 minutes. Both belts were cool to the touch, smelled like normal rubber (smelled when vehicle was off), and no visible signs of slippage. Couldn't spin the alternator pulley thing by hand, so there was no slippage. PS belt checked out fine too. The kicker is, until about two hours ago, my volts gauge read a constant 14-16 volts when running. Now it stays at 12 regardless of what I do and seemed to be going down. Also the gauge lights and headlights were visibly dimmer. I think my 89,710 mile alternator has bit the dust. What say you guys? I'm gonna take it to the parts store to have it tested either way. It's the 70 Amp V6 Alternator the car came with in 1985.
 

pontiacgp

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Mar 31, 2006
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Kitchener, Ontario
do you have a serpentine belt on the alternator?. If you do I would get a pry bar and tighten the belt on the alternator
 

MrSony

Geezer
Nov 15, 2014
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Des Moines, Iowa
do you have a serpentine belt on the alternator?. If you do I would get a pry bar and tighten the belt on the alternator
Nah man. V Belts.
 

pontiacgp

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Mar 31, 2006
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Kitchener, Ontario
Nah man. V Belts.

Then is sounds like you need a new alternator. I would find a local shop who rebuilds them, you'll get a better deal and a better alternator plus you can upgrade to higher output alternator. Or if you are tight for cash it is most likely the brushes that are done. You can change the brushes pretty easy
 
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ed1948

Royal Smart Person
Aug 6, 2016
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Quinte West, Ontario
Brushes or the triodes
 
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Longroof79

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
G-Body of the Month
Oct 14, 2008
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Gainesville, Fl
I agree with Steve...sounds like it's time for a new alternator. My old alt did the same thing when under a load. Get yourself a higher output unit. 105 amp.at least. You won;t regret it.
 
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MrSony

Geezer
Nov 15, 2014
6,791
6,675
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Des Moines, Iowa
Regulator hooked up still?
Nothing's changed from before. Just started squeaking out of the blue. I think it's toast.
 

L67ss

Royal Smart Person
Dec 8, 2016
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Ah yeah brain fart. A regulator unhooked wouldn't cause a squeak
 
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