Noises - Alternator, A/C Compressor

watertight · **Posted:** Thu May 23, 2013 10:27 pm

had the same exact symptoms, didn't understand how it could be this tiny alt clutch causing so much noise, but it was

tried to separate the clutch from the alt. but had no luck so just got a whole new alt. from advance auto parts. problem fixed no more chirping :BANANA:

SC RIGGR · **Posted:** Sat May 25, 2013 9:38 am

I also dealt with the same issue. I replaced the Alternator and serp belt, the chirp became CHIRP!. The noise was so bad I parked the Jeep and changed the Bearing on the Viscous heater clutch. After, when the CHIRP reappeared, I bought a cheap stethoscope and realized it was the spring inside the tensioner. After removing the PS pump, I removed the idler assembly, then thoroughly soaked the Spring inside with spray white lithium grease. After reassembly the noise was muted a bit, and as it warmed up the chirp disappeared! I think the new belt and alternator decoupler was causing the spring to seat in a different spot, creating noise. It is still doing fine without a (230 $)? new part. Good Luck

mrkake · **Posted:** Sat May 25, 2013 12:41 pm

I have changed my idler pulley and belt tensioner twice in 4 years and have another on the way now. I can see that the belt is running closer to the edge on the tensioner pulley and in the middle on the rest of belt path. It gets worse during the summer (more A/C use I'm assuming since it is louder when the compressor is engaged). I changed the alternator and idler pulleys and then narrowed it down to the tensioner pulley. I have tried all kinds of lubricants on the bearings with some limited success but it keeps coming back after 18 months or so. Each time I attempt to figure out a way to align the pulley better but so far have had no luck. My wife and son both drive '05 CRD's and have had no such issues. I don't think it has anything at all to do with the year though but just something unique about my individual vehicle.

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Siardi · **Posted:** Sun Jun 02, 2013 12:31 pm

Last november I had this chirping and I had the red dust on the alternator, I changed the alternator and problem solved, now I have a chirping sound and the same symptoms as the OP (no dust on the alternator and noise gets worst when AC engaged).
I did noticed the noise is different this time, now it's a finer more treble sound (high frequency) opposed to the alternator being more of a lower frequency noise. That's why in my case I'm ruling the alternator out. I think I have a bad clutch on the AC compressor.

Also noticed this noise is more noticeable from far away while the alternator noise was noticeable from closed to the engine.

Just my 2 cents.

MedicPatriot · **Posted:** Mon Jun 03, 2013 6:23 pm

I took a picture and there is definitely red dust on there. It looks more red, but the camera flash gives it a glare.

Is this what you guys were talking about?

MedicPatriot · **Posted:** Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:35 pm

I replaced the alternator today andnow I have no chirping noises even with the a/c on. The serpentine belt tensioner was a PITA to get enough room around, but it worked.

I would have never guessed the alternator clutch would have caused all of this noise with the a/c on. It was obvious when I took off the belt and spun the pulley.

Thanks to you all. I wouldn't have known it without this forum.

r1perk · **Posted:** Fri Jun 07, 2013 1:39 pm

Just replaced mine yesterday with one from ebay under $50. Used the impact to remove and replace. Sooooo easy. Mime was locked in both directions.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Fri Jun 07, 2013 2:03 pm

r1perk not to rain on your parade but exactly what brand/model pulley did you get off eBay? There are a variety of pulleys out there and not all of them are suitable:
1. solid - transmits too much shock to the system (similar to yours locked in both directions)
2. "reactive" - not stout enough to stand the strain.
3. OEM or Litens - fine but tend to run about $80

MedicPatriot · **Posted:** Fri Jun 07, 2013 7:43 pm

FWIW the old alternators pulley didn't even appear to be on straight and when I moved it with my hand it made a horrible squeeling sound as it moved in a spiral direction.

omaharacer · **Posted:** Thu Jun 20, 2013 3:55 am

I had the squeaking on my CRD whenever the a/c was on at idle recently. Sounded like the Jeep was powered by screaming hamsters at red lights. Changed the alternator w/ a reman from Advanced Auto - No more squeaks! :pepper:

r1perk · **Posted:** Sat Jul 13, 2013 6:15 pm

papaindigo It was some unheard of brand. I am sure it is just as good as the ones Advanced or Autozone uses. It fixed the problem, idler is smooth.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sat Jul 13, 2013 8:08 pm

Good and hope it lasts but will not bet on it. If it does last would like to know the brand.

SC RIGGR · **Posted:** Sat Aug 10, 2013 11:56 am

I am now on alternator #3, going to #4.
#1 had bad pulley so I got one from Advance. The first replacement alt(#2) had a weird high freq noise that could be heard when motor and key was off. I noticed it as soon as the Battery cable was installed on the alt post. I ran like that for a couple of months, until the battery died after the interior lights were left on just a couple of hours. When I took it to Advance for replacement, their test stand did not have a test procedure! I had to wait until the next Monday to convince a manager to take my word the alt (#2) had problems. He replaced the hi pitched whiny alternator(#2) and that problem went away. Now, the alt (#3) clutch seized and is making the tensioner chirp again. Today, again the test stand showed a blank screen for this alt test. The counter guy looked at me like I had two heads :shock:

when I explained the pulley problem. Luckily there is an alt(#4) across town that will arrive this afternoon, with both alt in front of parts man I hope to demonstrate the problem. I may try to find a used O E alt and put a Litens pulley on it. I only got 10 months out of #3 alt. Hopefully this one will last a bit longer, or it will become part of Oil change routine.

The problem with Lifetime replacements, we will be replacing them for a Lifetime.
(a quote from here somewhere, gmctd maybe)

SC RIGGR · **Posted:** Sat May 16, 2015 11:30 pm

My Alt # 4 was replaced last Aug, Again. Just yesterday I replaced #5 with #6. Always the pulley fails. I think I get about 8000 miles out of these Advance Alternators. I was telling the manager and he said they may deny me the next time and just refund my money! I guess I'll have to try another store with lifetime warranty on their parts.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sun May 17, 2015 10:52 am

If it goes bad again, take the alternator to a local alternator/starter shop and get them to replace just the pulley. :wink:

I did this right at the beginning of this year on my CRD and the cost was only 40 bucks! The shop person explained to me that he stocks the decoupler clutch pulleys as there are some other vehicles that use this same setup. He further explained the pulley he stocks and uses in made in Germany and can only be purchased by a certified alternator/starter rebuilder business.... He did tell me it was the best decoupler on the market, better than OEM. He further stated that it had three bearings instead of the usual one.... I questioned him to make sure it was not some made in China piece of junk especially since the price was so low, I was sceptical... :mrgreen:

He charged me nothing for installing it; took him about 30 seconds! He obviously knew what he was doing...

He showed me how to test the decoupler functionally by spinning the alternator stator and then stop it by hand very quickly and watch the stator continue to spin for a very, very brief moment in the override mode. :idea:

Higher price does not always mean a better product. So far it is holding up and functioning just fine!

Noises - Alternator, A/C Compressor

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