[Vwdiesel] incessant whining

[Sandy Cameron]

At 01:05 AM 10/20/2010 -0500, you wrote:
>In the alternator of the '00 TDI.  At least I think that's where the 
>whining is coming from, via the radio.  Very recently, if I have the 
>radio on, there's a whine through the speakers that varies with engine 
>speed.  

Almost sure to be due to deteriorating ground connections, or dirty
connections in the + alternator output on its way to the battery +.

Quick fix / diagnostic:  Connect a heavy #8 to #6 wire directly from the
alternator case (CLEAN CONNECTION) to the negative battery clamp (Also clean
the battery terminals) 
A direct connection from the alternator + to battery + (#6-8) might help too.

A test that may work, connect the alternator directly to the battery  + to
+, - to -  with a short pair of booster cables.  Bright clean metalic
connections.
When the whine disappears, you've found the path with the bad connections.

Sandy