200 TQ alternator squeal, then no output

[Avi Meron]

Kurt,
Where are you checking the output?
At the battery?
At the voltmeter?
What kind of voltage do you have at the alt. post?
Is the belt tight?
Is the squealing go up when you increase the load, lights, fan AC?
Is the Voltage reg. OK?
Is the little wire to the alt. (blue I think) is intact?

Let me know, I'll be watching for your post

Avi


-----Original Message-----
From: quattro-admin at audifans.com [mailto:quattro-admin at audifans.com]On
Behalf Of Kurt Wesseling
Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2001 2:25 PM
To: quattro at audifans.com
Subject: 200 TQ alternator squeal, then no output

Greetings alternator fans,

Patient is my '89 200TQ, 183k miles.

What I thought was the alternator belt has been squealing with increasing
regularity of late.  When this happens the volt meter drops to 12 volts the
lights dim,etc. Usually if I reduce current load by switching off the seat
heater, turning off the headlights briefly, etc the squealing stops and
voltage returns to normal range...until last night.  Naturally it was a 10
degree F with a 30mph wind night.  Sequence was, squeeeeeeel, low voltage,
lower voltage, still lower voltage...turn off all electrics--except low
beams--no street lights in the boondocks of Maine.  Finally the battery can
no longer support the fuel pump, so she dies. Flatbedded her home.

Today I go out and she starts right up, volt meter showing normal range
again! Go for a test drive, 2 miles later squeeeeeal, NO output again.  Limp
home, lift hood, alt is not squealing, belt is turning--not slipping, and
all looks normal--except there is still no output--at least no more than 12
vdc indicated presumably from the battery.

So what's shot? Bearings, brushes? Avi, Huw...anybody??  8-]

Thanks,

--Kurt