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My quest alternator makes a horrible squeal on start up but then quiets down as soon as the Volts rise to 14 (approx). About 3-4 four seconds. I assume its a bad bearing or bearing going bad. It only happens on cold starts.
Anyway, I assume the best approach is to buy another alternator and transfer the pulley and swap the case so you don't have to grind a new one?
My quest alternator makes a horrible squeal on start up but then quiets down as soon as the Volts rise to 14 (approx). About 3-4 four seconds. I assume its a bad bearing or bearing going bad. It only happens on cold starts.
Anyway, I assume the best approach is to buy another alternator and transfer the pulley and swap the case so you don't have to grind a new one?
Pretty straight forward process? Any tips?
thanks.
Depends what's making the noise. I went through 2 of the eBay alternators, and eventually searched out the best rebuild I could find and swapped the pulley to it. I ended up regrinding the case because the part making noise was part of the regulator stuff that isn't a simple swap. The eBay guy is super helpful and responsive, but when you take apart his alternators and compare it to a higher-quality rebuild, the difference is very obvious. Having gotten very comfortable taking them apart, at least I was able to remove the guts of the new one so I could grind the case without constantly wrapping and unwrapping it in plastic... Just make sure it's not belt squeal before going to all the trouble!
My quest alternator makes a horrible squeal on start up but then quiets down as soon as the Volts rise to 14 (approx). About 3-4 four seconds. I assume its a bad bearing or bearing going bad. It only happens on cold starts.
Anyway, I assume the best approach is to buy another alternator and transfer the pulley and swap the case so you don't have to grind a new one?
Pretty straight forward process? Any tips?
thanks.
Mine does the same thing, but it's because one of the bolts for the AC compressor broke. I.E. the belt tension and straightness is not correct. The load on the alternator is high when it first starts, so the belt squeals and slips, but once it's up to voltage, no issue.
I basically can't run my AC unless I am on the highway, then I start the compressor, but if I come to a stop, and the car idles, the belt squeals due to load. Turn the compressor off, it goes away.
I've had terrible luck with the compressor bolts, when I tighten a belt, I loosen all the mounting bolts, tension the belt, then secure all the mounting bolts. This is the correct procedure, but then down the road, the bolt head just breaks off. One broke on my 968 (required compressor replacement) and now again, but a different bolt, on the 951. I am going to attack it when I do the timing belt in the upcoming weeks.
Check all the mounting bolts of the compressor to see if they are all in place. Here is my old thread:
There shouldn't be any squeal from the alternator. Likely this is just a belt adjustment. I usually set my belt where it feels "right", tight but not stretching the belt or pullies. At this setting, I'll get the start up chirp for a second or two on cold starts and maybe even a chirp when engaging the AC compressor. I'll then turn out the AC tensioner one full rotation and relock it to tighten up the belt a bit. On the next cold start, If any of the squeal or chirp happens I repeat turning out the tensioner one rotation and check on the next cold start. This makes it just tight enough to not squeal but doesn't over tighten where you might wear out the bearings / shaft in the alternator. If your belt is already broke in you should be good , but if you install a new belt you may need to adjust the belt again once it stretches some.
I've been using the same alternator since this original post was made with the exception of replacing the voltage regulator inside which was ruined due to getting it wet washing the engine. I can't comment on the alternator quality in the eBay listing now vs when I got it 5+ years ago but mine has held up very well.
Last edited by mahoney944; 05-01-2019 at 11:46 AM.
Really appreciate all the replies.....I will check it out this weekend and report back. I believe I put in a new belt so I'm thinking it may have stretched especially since it was put on in the winter.
I"ll check the bolts too. I lost one on the power steering a while back....the whole tensioning rod fell off.....never did find it on that country road.
Nice that it's a simple fix for you !
Basically , i just needed to know which terminal went to 12v and which went to the blue wire.
I should have asked for the female plug when i picked up the alternator last year , anyhow too late now.
Looks like you have some nice stuff in your engine ... i'm close to finishing my new SP2 race engine build, it's
all legal of course ... lol
If it doesn't blow up on the dyno next week, it should be a pretty strong runner !
In case of anyone wants an alternative to the Nissan alternator. The Bosch 0123320014 is also a nice replacement.
Today I swapped my heavy OEM alternator against the 4.4 lbs (2kg) lighter Bosch 0123320014 unit. The dimensions are nearly the same. You just change the 5mm spacer against a 4mm spacer and thread a M8 into the braket. Pics below. Works perfect. This new alternator is much more efficient than the old OEM alternator and 4.4 lbs saved. Of course both of my alternators are/were equipped with a freewheel pulley. For the Bosch 0123320014 you need the HC Cargo 332291. Edit: Works for 944 and 968. Pic below shows my 968 engine bay.
04-29-2019, 07:40 PM
