Weird sound in engine bay.

killj0y · Mar 2, 2013

I'm out of town and I've noticed a weird sound coming from the passenger side of the engine bay. By the alternator almost. Kind of sounds like an actuator going off if that makes any sense. Like the sound of an electric trunk being opened once it's already open. It is followed or preceded by a light knock or what sounds like it. I have noticed my truck stuttering once or twice when I put the pedal all the way down. Any help?!

killj0y · Mar 2, 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEJW1m3OJgQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Think it's coming from the alternator

Mark_88 · Mar 2, 2013

Certainly could be the alternator, but couldn't tell from the video...

Does the gauge flop around or are you having trouble starting?

I'd go to the nearest yard and pick up a used one if possible...just replaced mine and it was $200 for a rebuild...the previous one cost me $25 at the yard and lasted for 8 years...

killj0y · Mar 2, 2013

Mark_88 said:
Certainly could be the alternator, but couldn't tell from the video...

Does the gauge flop around or are you having trouble starting?

I'd go to the nearest yard and pick up a used one if possible...just replaced mine and it was $200 for a rebuild...the previous one cost me $25 at the yard and lasted for 8 years...

Nah gauge is steady. Aside from the noise and the occasional misfire (needs a tune up). Well a new one is 150 and I'll probably snag one from an explorer for more amps. Guess I'll just take the drive and replace it soon. The clacking really sounds like it's originating from the alternator.

Tedybear · Mar 2, 2013

IF the alternator is in a good location...Use a very long screw driver. Hold the tip against the body of the alternator and put the handle part next to your ear. It will amp the audio and you'll be able to 'hear' where and if that sound is from the alternator. Just don't do this if you have long hair...otherwise it can get caught in the belt--along with loose clothes, etc...

S-

brokemechanic3000 · Mar 2, 2013

could it be the AC compressor clutch?

wildbill23c · Mar 2, 2013

A simple way to find out what's causing the noise, if you think its one of the components that's belt driven, take the belt off start the truck and see if the noise goes away.

killj0y · Mar 3, 2013

Tedybear said:
IF the alternator is in a good location...Use a very long screw driver. Hold the tip against the body of the alternator and put the handle part next to your ear. It will amp the audio and you'll be able to 'hear' where and if that sound is from the alternator. Just don't do this if you have long hair...otherwise it can get caught in the belt--along with loose clothes, etc...

S-

Actually I did this, that's why I suspect my alternator

dngrrangr · Mar 3, 2013

my 92 ranger ac compressor sounds like that have you tried just unplugging the connector from it? it sounds like it trys to kick in but wont. even when my sc aint on. so i just completely unplugged it and left it off never made the nose again.

shane96ranger · Mar 3, 2013

wildbill23c said:
A simple way to find out what's causing the noise, if you think its one of the components that's belt driven, take the belt off start the truck and see if the noise goes away.

And spin the alternator by hand and see if you hear anything.

I think it sounds like a bearing. You will be able to feel it hang up when you spin it by hand.

killj0y · Mar 3, 2013

I'll try all these things as soon as I'm in town. For now I'm fairly certain it's the alternator. I'll remove the belt as soon as I can. How long can you run the engine that way safely, a minute maybe?

adsm08 · Mar 3, 2013

Safely run the engine with the belt off? 3-10 minutes. The colder the engine is when you start it the more time you get. If it is dead cold you can run it for about as long as it would take to get it to temp before you run into a real problem.

PanamaExpat · Mar 3, 2013

That sound? You can't identify it? That's the sound that it makes when your hamster has a broken leg. :icon_twisted:

wildbill23c · Mar 3, 2013

adsm08 said:
Safely run the engine with the belt off? 3-10 minutes. The colder the engine is when you start it the more time you get. If it is dead cold you can run it for about as long as it would take to get it to temp before you run into a real problem.

Sounded like from his youtube video the noise what there right at start-up so running with the fan belt off isn't going to hurt anything.

What my 1SG in my national guard unit always did with his Honda Civic was just turn the radio up louder to drown out all the bad noises his car was making, 4 years later he's still driving the same car LOL. Use the radio trick it must fix a lot of problems LOL.

shane96ranger · Mar 3, 2013

adsm08 said:
Safely run the engine with the belt off? 3-10 minutes. The colder the engine is when you start it the more time you get. If it is dead cold you can run it for about as long as it would take to get it to temp before you run into a real problem.

Then there's that battery thing. If your battery isn't in decent shape, you may get less.

Sent from a Commodore 64 using a 300 baud modem

Weird sound in engine bay.

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