alt or compressor whine?

[Kneale Brownson]

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Waterpump?

At 03:54 PM 07/22/2002 -0600, Keith Lawyer wrote:

>Hi folks, vehicle in question is a '90 200tqw, recently purchased after
>warping the head on my '89 200tqw (don't ask).  Anyhow, the new-to-me
>'90 has an odd whine at idle, seems to go away once driving.
>
>Finally had some time to look at it up close last nite and my
>mechanic's stethoscope (sp??) seems to indicate it's either the alt or
>a/c compressor.  The sound does not really change when the a/c is
>engaged, which may or may not be relevant.  Of course the ....
>tensioner??... between these two accessories carries the sound quite
>nicely making it near impossible to tell who is the culprit.
>
>I can only describe the sound as hi-pitched HUM or a low-pitched WHINE
>with a bit of a WHISTLE/CHIRP quality to it LOL.  The po reports it has
>been there for some time; I've heard screaming bearings before and it
>really doesnt' sound like a bearing going out IMO (at least not like
>it's going to go out anytime soon).  I did search the archives and found
>quite a bit of talk of alt whines, but most seemed to report failures
>shortly after, and it did not exist ONLY at idle....
>
>So, has anyone else experienced this?  I will pull the alt belt once
>time allows.  The a/c blows cold and the alt charges fine...
>
>TIA,
>Keith L
>who now knows a water temp gauge is worth it's weight in gold - damn
>multi-function temp switches!
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