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Topic: Just replaced the alternator and.... (Read 2368 times) previous topic - next topic

Just replaced the alternator and....

it's whining. I have an 88 XR 7. Normal?

Just replaced the alternator and....

Reply #1 –
Is it a new one? It souldn't whine so loud that you can hear it with the hood closed and the motor running.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Just replaced the alternator and....

Reply #2 –
Definitely not normal... Are you sure it's the alternator and not the power steering?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
86 5.0 Turbocoupe (Katrina), 87 5.0 Sport (Rita)

Just replaced the alternator and....

Reply #3 –
Where did you buy it?Just because you buy a "new" one from a parts store doesn't mean it's a good one.I went through 6 of the Autozone alternators before I fianlly gave up and bought a 3G and haven't had a problem since.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Just replaced the alternator and....

Reply #4 –
yeah its new, not a rebuild.

Just replaced the alternator and....

Reply #5 –
Put in a 3g and be done with it.  The old 2g alternators are horrible.
1988 Thunderbird
5.0 HO, t5, TC rear, TC brakes, etc. - Gone

Just replaced the alternator and....

Reply #6 –
Yep,

...just happened to me Last year---bought a new one--put it in and it whined.  Took it back--had it tested and yep it was defective.  Got another one--no problem yet.  Unfortunately, it means more work for you.  At least its not a starting motor or something like that!

Just replaced the alternator and....

Reply #7 –
I went back to the shop and said it was defective and to put in a new one. Mechanic said it whined because it's a bigger alternator and its taking in more air. Theres a lifetime warranty for it so I gues if it goes I'll just get another.

Just replaced the alternator and....

Reply #8 –
The 3G IS a great idea.My current 'Bird has one,and the project car will also have one.You just can't beat it.It's leaps and bounds better than the ones our cars came with.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Just replaced the alternator and....

Reply #9 –
Quote from: JZ1276;115301
Mechanic said it whined because it's a bigger alternator and its taking in more air.


your mechanic is a douche. take it someplace else, if they say its junk have them charge the old shop for the repair. :beatyoass:
gumby - beauty may fade, but stupid is forever!

Just replaced the alternator and....

Reply #10 –
You said you have a lifetime warranty,right?Tell them to change it,or give you another and you'll do it.Don't ask them,tell them.You don't want to be on the highway in the dead of winter and have that "more air sucking" alternator go out on you.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Just replaced the alternator and....

Reply #11 –
Quote from: JZ1276;115301
I went back to the shop and said it was defective and to put in a new one. Mechanic said it whined because it's a bigger alternator and its taking in more air. Theres a lifetime warranty for it so I gues if it goes I'll just get another.


Since when do alternators take in more air. He's full of shiznit. Get a new one and put it on yourself. It's easy and it won't take you more than 35 minutes.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Just replaced the alternator and....

Reply #12 –
Sounds like hot air to me also.  Whining is due to bearing noise as far as my amateur mechanic ststus is concerned---it won't last long like that.

Just replaced the alternator and....

Reply #13 –
Actually whining is usually caused by a dead phase. Alternators have three phases, and if one is dead (either by a bad diode in the rectifier or a short in the stator) it'll howl. The alternator might still charge but it'll only be at 2/3 capacity, and will not last long. I'd get a new one too.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Just replaced the alternator and....

Reply #14 –
My 88 Cougars alternator whined for two years.. but gave up recently.
One 88