alternator

[Zed]

Hi all,

First post, lurked for awhile. Just a quick question. I have a 94 GrandAm SE, with the 3100 v6. Runs great, never had any real problems with it other than a bad EGR once and just replaced the front struts. Being as i live here in Ontario it's pretty cold this time of year, the other day it hit -25 degrees celsius and when I started my car to leave work that night it took longer than normal to turn over and once it did the alternator was making a horrible noise i've never noticed before. The engine was idling normally and no warning lights came on or anything, just that noise.......and it eventually went away and everything sounded normal after a few minutes of warming up.......hasn't gotten that cold again since and i haven't heard it since.

Is this an indication that I'm going to need a new alternator soon or is this normal behaviour when these cars get really cold?

[chasm31]

Cold equals stress on engine. Never been that cold here in Tennessee, but the cold changes my engine until it warms up. If you alternator was bad, you would know because you would have to jump it off everytime you turn it on. I say it was the -25 degrees. Hope it never gets that cold here.:rolleyes:

[mikem220153]

GM N body's are notorious for Alternator problems. Your noise sounds like the bearings in the alternator. If they are worn, then the alternator will be noisey until the bearings warm up. I would recommend you take into a shop somewhere and make sure you can leave it for several hours to allow the alternator to get cold, then have them test it. Nothing worse than being stranded, especially in the winter time.

[donna_n_mike]

Hey, my car did the same damn thing last week when it was the first day below zero but I didn't give it a chance to warm up, it scared me so I shut her off and left her till the mechanic came just Saturday and the noise was gone...I figured it was the cold weather.

[Dallas_95GT]

Are you sure it's not the Power Steering pump? My '95 3100 makes a groaning in the morning when it's below 20 F out, but it comes from the power steering. Might check that out!

[Antalive[DM]]

Ya if it isn't the steering pump its the bearing being cold in the alternator. My car has went threw 2-or-3 alternators myself. So ya we gobble them up alright. Just keep a check on it you'll be ok. :D

[Dallas_95GT]

And if it is the alternator...make sure you get a good one with a lifetime warranty, it'll pay off, especially if you keep the car for a while! I replaced my alternator with a Duralast from Autzone, 6 months later it went out again, I got a free replacement, this one has been fine for 2 years now :D

[Antalive[DM]]

Ya i need to get a life time warranty too! :agree: