General Possible Alternator Whine?

[Liam1804]

Hi All,

I’ve noticed now and again there’s a whining noise when I start the car. The noise goes after after about 30 seconds and the car drives fine. It’s very rare the noise is there and is fine, it’s just once in a blue moon I notice this high pitch whine,

Driving the car has been fine until yesterday when I was joining the motorway giving it some high revs 4-5k rpm and I could hear that whining noise, I lowered the RPM and the noise stopped, normal driving is fine and you can’t hear it,

I got a feeling It’s the alternator because that’s we’re it sounds like it’s coming from, The sound increases and decrease with the engine RPM,

It’s once in a blue moon though I hear this noise, what’s the possible courses? Alternator bearing? water pump, timing belt tensioner?

I’ve searched google and the most common issue I’ve noticed is water leaking onto the alternator And I suppose this would effect the bearings over time, is there a mod fix for this?

Cars a 2006 1.2 8v without A/C

I found a video of the exact same noise, https://youtu.be/UtwYgvl3NTc

 

[oldmanhouse]

I had a similar problem to that shown in the video and how you describe, mine wasn't as noisy at idle as that but it did get very noisy when accelerating. The whine stopped after a few minutes of driving for me.


In my case, it got more and more frequent until eventually the alternator completely died. As for cause, it could be water ingress as that is a common problem with the GP. Lots of threads on here about it, such as: https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/337783-modified-scuttle-drain.html?p=3360383

I would first check if your car has the modified scuttle drain as shown in the post above, and fit one if it doesn't. Perhaps you are only getting issues after rain, and the alternator is damp?

 

[Liam1804]

I had a similar problem to that shown in the video and how you describe, mine wasn't as noisy at idle as that but it did get very noisy when accelerating. The whine stopped after a few minutes of driving for me.


In my case, it got more and more frequent until eventually the alternator completely died. As for cause, it could be water ingress as that is a common problem with the GP. Lots of threads on here about it, such as: https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/337783-modified-scuttle-drain.html?p=3360383

I would first check if your car has the modified scuttle drain as shown in the post above, and fit one if it doesn't. Perhaps you are only getting issues after rain, and the alternator is damp?

I’ll have a look tomorrow to see if it has the modified part, if not I’ll order one, Tbh thinking about it, every time I’ve noticed it make this noise it has either been raining or damp and cold,

 

[Liam1804]

Update: car doesn’t have the windscreen drainage mod so it just runs all over the alternator, I’ve removed the alternator and you can indeed hear some sort of nosy bearing when you spin the pully by hand,

Question is, is it worth getting my old unit reconditioned, I’m tempted to get a second hand one but chances are that could be the same, I’ve had a quote to replace just the bearing for £50 but surly getting the whole unit reconditioned Can’t be much more, anybody recommend any reconditioning places?

I’ve ordered the Mod pipe though for the drainage

 

[GrandePunto PL]

Can you "DIY" (bearings replacement)?
Yes, there are some "traps" for beginners/hobbyists like us, but job is doable at home if you really want it.
Example (Punto 1): https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-mk1...r-bearings-voltage-regulator-replacement.html
Reconditioning is possible/worth doing only, when alternator is not internally corroded yet (and casing not cracked), "electrical steel" laminated stack core not rusted (it can be replaced too, but it's more tricky than just bearings/regulator).