Buzzing from Alternator area?

[J. Kennedy]

Help! There is a constant buzzing coming from the area of the alternator. It gets louder with increased RPM until it gets drowned out with engine (V6) noise. This has been going on for months with no change in noise or voltage irregularity. The belt does appear glazed, but I have had a lot worse.

Is the the alt, the tensioner pulley or what? Has this ever happened to you. If it is the alt, where is the best place to buy a new one?

 

[Dctrdan]

J,
Are you sure it isnt the power steering pump. Bad buzzing noise notorious in explorers. Try turning your wheel hard left and right while ideling see if noise increases. If so, bad pump. If not sorry I bothered you.
Dan

 

[sink]

I have a 94 XLT. Most up-front buzzing I have ever experienced has been the Belt. It is not necessarily a sign of a belt problem. If your alternator checks out electrically, quit worrying about the alternator. You'd waste money in that. Idler pully bearings or any other bearings for that matter would be a squeal, never a buzz. The sound frequency of bearing problems is much higher. If your belt is glazed looking, change it. You may try taking a wet rag held tightly around your fist and carefully rubbing different parts of the belt span while at idle. If the sound changes, its your belt flopping (very small deflection). If so- new belt, maybe steel wool your pully sheaves, and be done with it.

 

[outrun84]

Check it out

My 91 Eddie Bauer had the same problem for as long as I can remember. The problem is the power steering pump. Mine did the exact same thing. Turn your car on and open the hood. While listening to the buzzing turn the steering wheel. If the town of the buzz changes it is time for a new power steering pump. If you dont want the pump replaced I heard that pressure can be taken our of the pump at a ford dealer. That should take care of the buzz for a while. The buzz eventually became straining every time I turned the wheel untill the pump broke on me .