[s-cars] miraculous alternator self-repair

[stefan13 at att.net]

Having just cleared several driveways (I have retired neighbors) of 12" of 
snow, I decided to treat myself with a little romp in the Avant before the 
Township plow came around.  The car is simply amazing in the snow, especially 
with the Pilot Alpins.  When I came back, I noticed an electrical/rubber 
smell and buzzing/whining noise from the front of the car.  I opened the hood 
and poked around with a long screwdriver held to my ear.  Listening until my 
ear froze, I determined the whine to come from the alternator, and convinced 
myself that the smell was indeed electrical.  I then turned the motor off, 
removed the serpentine belt and spun every pulley I could get to by hand.  
Ouch - the alternator pully was hot, and so was the alternator - but its 
pulley spun fine.  I then finally put the car in the garage, and continued to 
poke around with the screwdriver-stethoscope (engine on and garage door 
open), until - alas, the noise went away. WTF?

Any opinions or similar experiences.TIA.

Stefan