Does it squeal and stop when you rev the engine, or get worse when you rev it? Is it worse in the morning? Does it never go away? 2 easy checks to tell you what's wrong and what to do about it:
1. With the engine OFF, spray some water on the alternator belt. Start up the engine. If the noise goes away, it's the belt. It's either loose and needs to be tightened, or it's bad and needs to be replaced. Look at the surface that contacts the pully itself. It it appears to be glazed, it's bad.
2. Again, with the engine OFF, sprinkle a little talcum powder on the belt. Start up the motor. Same as above. As with both, if the sound does not go away, then it's the Alternator bearing gone bad. Replace the alternator.
Note: Both methods will only TEMPORARILY make the noise go away. It WILL return if left alone. Once you determine wether it's a bad belt, bad alternator or loose belt, follow up on it and complete the job.
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