Bill/Diana
Southeastern Pennsylvania
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Joined: 04/25/2002
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I just started to notice the 454 Chevy engine on our 1996 motorhome is producing a whining noise. The noise becomes louder and higher pitched as the engine revs up. The voltmeter on the dashboard indicates around 14 volts but at times drops lower but never into the red zone. This noise has been present for the past 1500 miles or so.
I suspect it could be alternator whine, but what does this mean? Is the alternator about to go bad? Should I replace it? How can I test?
Thanks in advance for the help.
Bill & Diana
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA USA
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Joined: 01/05/2005
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Alternator brushes are about gone. Either rebuild or but a rebuilt alternator. I got a lifetime unit from NAPA. Others have them. Take your old one in to insure pulley and mount is the same.
Bud
Suzuki XL7 pushing Pace Arrow
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stevesandidge
kingsport tn
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the sound increasing with rpms seems to say its a bearing in the line with the serpentine belt. the alt is one, the idler is another, the a/c compressor, and some smog stuff and the water punp. one of those is goin bad. i use a mechs stethascope, its a earset with a metal rod attached instead of a cup like the dr's carry. you can place it against a spot and see where the noise is coming from.
steve
steve sandidge
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trop-a-cal
Palm Coast Fl
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Yes that could be the alternator. One other thing could be the serpentine belt tentioner bushing gone dry. Check with lights on to see if it charges when you increase rpm's. Another thing may be the serpentine belt itself.
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Dave H M
IL
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Joined: 08/11/2006
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if you can't figure it out with the stethescope as mentioned above, you can take the S belt off and rotate the pulleys by hand to look for abnormalities.
OR, you could just start throwing parts at it. 
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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stevesandidge wrote:the sound increasing with rpms seems to say its a bearing in the line with the serpentine belt. the alt is one, the idler is another, the a/c compressor, and some smog stuff and the water punp. one of those is goin bad. i use a mechs stethascope, its a earset with a metal rod attached instead of a cup like the dr's carry. you can place it against a spot and see where the noise is coming from.
steve
Steve's take sounds like it covers the bases to me.
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fueling around
NW MN
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Don't forget the power steering pump.
John
1997 Dodge 2500 CTD
1989 Cascade 8½ Self-contained Truck Camper
?? Eureka Timberline 4 tent
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Tsalla Apopka
Crystal River, FL
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In mine the whine comes with the a/c being turned on.
Denny & Karen
Florida's Beautiful "Nature Coast"
Holiday Rambler Traveler 29' (A TREK in disguise!!)
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Bill/Diana
Southeastern Pennsylvania
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Joined: 04/25/2002
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Thanks to all for the replies, ideas and suggestions. I hope I can get another 300 miles till I get home and have the mechanic take a look. Thanks again.
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