Alternator

[Hotwheels Camaro]

Hey guys, I have a 00 V6 Camaro and my alternator is making a very loud high pitched sound. Someone told me that the ball bearings are going out. I called the dealer and they want $350 for a new one. Auto Zone doesn't carry one for the 00 but they do for the 98-99's. So my question is since the motors are the same, shouldn't it be the same for the alternator? They have it for $130 lifetime warranty. Any input would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[IronMan]

Yeah its the same.

GM only makes like two different kinds of alternators, large case and small case.

Ours is the small case.

[96_V6_Fbody]

Be careful with those Auto Zone Alternators. They are remanufactured. I Put one on my other car and I had to replace it 3 times in less than 2 years. They are really cheap. When all of them broke it was the same thing yours is doing. That hig pitch noise. But if it has a lifetime warranty I guess there is nothing to worry about.

[chas]

i too have exercised the autozone lifetime warranty on an alternator. almost any alternator you get (excepting the dealership) is going to be a rebuild.

i find that napa's rebuilds tend to be a little bit better as far as quality. they can be a little more expensive though.

'00 3.8l alternator

if that url doesnt work --

NAPA Power Supreme Alternator - Remfd (Premium)
Usually ships within 3 to 5 days. RAL
134751D
$ 259.00
Core 60.50

w/ 105 Amp Alternator, w/ 6 Groove Pulley

[hockeyman]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by IronMan:
Yeah its the same.

GM only makes like two different kinds of alternators, large case and small case.

Ours is the small case.<hr></blockquote>

So, the 3.4 and 3.8 alternator is the same, no matter what year (after 1993)?

-Marc

[PewterBird]

Definantly do this yourself, I don't care how newbiesh you may think you are. It is so simple.
I got my alternator for 100 dollars at Kragen with lifetime warranty. It took me and my G/fs dad about 30 minutes to change the alternator.
And while you are at it, check the belt and replace as neccesary.

Lets see if I remembr How I did it.

• Pull down on tension pulley
  Remove belt (If you don't have a routing diagram, draw one)
  Remove the two bolts
  remove the wire on the back, and the one on the side
  Replace new alternator
  and reverse the previous steps

Seriously simple stuff About 250 bucks cheaper than having someone else doing it, and you have the satisfaction of doing the job yourself.

Replacement generator P/N 321-1797

Apparently the part number for the 98-99 is different the the 2000-2002. Im not sure why, but thats what the parts manual says.

Generator Noise Test
Noise Diagnosis
Noise from a generator may be due to electrical or mechanical noise. Electrical noise (magnetic whine) usually varies with the ampere load placed on the generator and is a normal operating characteristic of all generators. When diagnosing a noisy generator, it is important to remember that loose or misaligned components around the generator may transmit the noise into the passenger compartment and that replacing the generator may not solve the problem.


1
Test the generator for proper operation using the J 41450-B CS Generator Tester. Refer to Charging System Test .

Is the generator operating properly?
--
Go to Step 2 NO
Go to Step 11 Yes

2
Start the engine. Verify that the noise can be heard.
Turn OFF the engine.
Disconnect the 4-way connector from the generator.
Start the Engine.
Listen for the noise.
Has the noise stopped?
--
Go to Step 11 Yes
Go to Step 3 NO

3
Turn OFF the engine.
Remove the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L and Drive Belt Replacement - Accessory in Engine Mechanical - 5.7L.
Spin the generator pulley by hand.
Does the generator shaft spin smoothly and without any roughness or grinding noise?
--
Go to Step 4 Yes
Go to Step 11 NO

4
Inspect the generator for a loose pulley and/or pulley nut.

Is the generator pulley or pulley nut loose?
--
Go to Step 11 Yes
Go to Step 5 NO

5
Loosen all of the generator mounting bolts.
Tighten the generator mounting bolts to specifications and in the proper sequence (if necessary). Refer to Generator Replacement .
Install the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L and Drive Belt Replacement - Accessory in Engine Mechanical - 5.7L.
Start the engine.
Has the noise decreased or stopped?
--
System OK Yes
Go to Step 6 NO

6
Inspect the generator for the following conditions:

Strained or stretched electrical connections.
Hoses or other vehicle equipment resting on the generator (which may cause the noise to be transmitted into the passenger compartment)
Are the electrical connections pulling on the generator or are any hoses, etc. resting on the generator?
--
Go to Step 7 Yes
Go to Step 8 NO

7
Reroute the electrical connections to relieve the tension.
Reroute the hoses, etc. away from the generator.
Start the engine.
Has the noise decreased or stopped?
--
System OK Yes
Go to Step 8 NO

8
Inspect the drive belt for proper tension. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Diagnosis in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L or Drive Belt Tensioner Diagnosis in Engine Mechanical - 5.7L.

Is the drive belt loose?
--
Go to Step 9 Yes
Go to Step 10 NO

9
Replace the drive belt tensioner. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L or Drive Belt Replacement - Accessory in Engine Mechanical - 5.7L.
Start the engine.
Has the noise decreased or stopped?
--
System OK Yes
Go to Step 11 NO

10
Compare the vehicle with a known good vehicle.

Do both vehicles make the same noise?
--
System OK Yes
Go to Step 11 No

11

Important
If no definite generator problems were found, be sure that all other possible sources of objectionable noise are eliminated before replacing the generator. Replacing the generator may not change the noise level if the noise is a normal characteristic of the generator or the generator mounting.

Replace the generator. Refer to Generator Replacement .

Has the noise decreased or stopped?
--
System OK Yes
--


Generator Replacement

• Disconnect the negative battery cable.
  Remove the accessory drive belt.
  Disconnect the generator electrical connector.
  Remove the positive cable from the generator:
  Slide the boot down revealing the positive terminal stud.
  Remove the positive cable nut from the generator output stud.
  Remove the positive cable.
  Remove the generator bolts
  Remove the generator from the drive belt tensioner
  Install the generator to the drive belt tensioner.
  Install the generator bolts . Tighten
  Tighten the generator bolt (top one)to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
  Tighten the generator bolt (3) to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

The service manual recomends that you remove the EVAP canister and the whole alt. braket, but it is not really neccessary so I did not include that.

Have fun.

[ May 27, 2003: Message edited by: PewterBird ]

[ May 27, 2003: Message edited by: PewterBird ]</p>

[Devilboy28]

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR!!! DO NOT buy a starter or alternator from Autozone!!! Go to Advanced, Carquest, NAPA, or the dealer, but DO NOT go to Autozone. It WILL fail!