2002 Pontiac Grand Am SE.
When I accelerate, whether just driving down the highway at 55mph or climbing a hill at 25mph, the car makes an intermittent sound that reminds me of a rotary saw cutting a wooden board. It does not happen every time I accelerate, nor does it happen the entire time I'm accelerating. It seems to be on the right side (while I'm driving). I do think it's probably some sort of metal on metal sound, but on the other hand, I'm not a car person. It's kind of got a rattle to it. It's a very alarming sound.
It's also not idling well recently but the two things may not be related at all. It's got over 150k miles on it.
We have been wondering about the alternator lately; a friend suggested a bearing might be going out inside the alternator. Could the alternator make this kind of noise?
When I accelerate, whether just driving down the highway at 55mph or climbing a hill at 25mph, the car makes an intermittent sound that reminds me of a rotary saw cutting a wooden board. It does not happen every time I accelerate, nor does it happen the entire time I'm accelerating. It seems to be on the right side (while I'm driving). I do think it's probably some sort of metal on metal sound, but on the other hand, I'm not a car person. It's kind of got a rattle to it. It's a very alarming sound.
It's also not idling well recently but the two things may not be related at all. It's got over 150k miles on it.
We have been wondering about the alternator lately; a friend suggested a bearing might be going out inside the alternator. Could the alternator make this kind of noise?