Battery not charing /Chirping belt

[jjdrp]

Issue:
My alternator is not charging and I have a chirping belt.

Relevant info:

• -The car is a 1999 Q45t
  - I have a new battery
  - Alternator tested and working according to Advanced Auto
  - Tightened alternator belt and the chirping did not go away

The chirping does not seem to be coming from the alternator, but from the other belt that connects on the back of the fan pulley (water pump belt?).

I have not been able to loosen the nut on the tensioner to try and tighten the belt as yet, but can a loose water pump belt prevent the alternator from charging?


Thanks

[OwnerCS]

Welcome to NICO!

Where are you located (e.g. state/town)?

I would seek a second opinion from another auto service provider. Are you getting a check engine trouble light that indicates alternator or does the car's battery discharge from driving -- most noticeable at night?

[jjdrp]

Thank you! I am located in Northern Virginia.

You are correct. The battery discharges from driving. The lights only came on when the battery was almost dead and the car was about to shut off.

Thanks

[maxnix]

No maintenance history on belts or pulley bearings? Sounds like your alternator, it's drive system, or both, are toast

[jjdrp]

I inspected the belts yesterday and I know that 2 belts need changing. I ordered all 4 this weekend even if the alternator and water pump belts looked fine. I do not know how to check the pulley bearing. Do I check for play by rocking it or something?

[OwnerCS]

One of my idler pulley bearings made a slight noise that sounded like an old metal roller skate wheel that needed to be lubricated. I could hear the bearing was dry as bone and it would be just a matter of time before it failed. I had the same situation with my alternator's bearings. The shaft didn't wobble and the alternator was charging fine. When I turned the alternator pulley I could hear the bearing's metal-to-metal rubbing like wheels and rails on a subway train pulling into Penn Station -- though on a much smaller scale.

I figured, 20 years and over 100,000 miles was long enough and for pulleys and related bearings. I want the car to be "road ready" for a trip to one of the NICO meets this spring/summer in PA or in The Smokies. Hopefully the new replacements will last another 20 years.. LOL

[maxnix]

Any perturbance when spinning manually is a defective bearing as any malfunction is magnified under load. Only replace with top grade bearings, and with a press. 6 total.

[jjdrp]

Just finished tightening the bottom belt and I am finally getting 14+ volts and the noise is gone. The belts should arrive this week. I am going to change them this weekend and check the pulleys.

Thanks everyone.

[jjdrp]

Spoke too soon. Had the car running in the driveway whlie I posted the last message. I jumped in the car to pick up lunch and the battery light was on. I looked in engine bay and the belt broke. Now I am wondering if I tightened it too much.

[goody90q45]

Since the belt is gone reach in and see if the idler pulley is bound up. You may need to order it also.

[jjdrp]

I checked the tensioner pulley earlier and there was a slight rubbing noise. I am going to replace it along with the belts.

Is number 2 in the photo the same as number 7 (Idler pulley Lower) from here http://bit.ly/g2vY8p (infinitipartsusa.com)?




Thanks

[maxnix]

Make sure if it has 1 or 2 bearings. You really need to check them all at the same time. Repeat labor is not fun. Replace all 4 belts.

[jjdrp]

Make sure if it has 1 or 2 bearings.

I am confused. Doesn't the pulley come with the bearing?

I thought that item #7 at the link above included a new pulley with bearing.

I have already ordered all 4 belts.

Thanks

[maxnix]

Yes, the pulley comes with the bearings, but it is more cost effective to just replace the bearings if the pulley mechanism is serviceable.