The past couple days, my 91se 5spd has been making a loud humming noise, mainly at idle and through first gear. I don't think it's the power steering pump, since the noise does not get louder if I turn the wheel at a stop. This morning on my way to work, with all lights on, the more throttle I gave it, the brighter my headlights/dash lights got. In between gears, when no gas is applied, the lights would get dim. Also, all lights would lightly blink just so it is noticeable, almost like the speed of a signal light. Any help is appreciated!!!

 

The Alternator is probably a likely suspect, actually the voltage regulator which is inside the alternator. I'm kinda having the same problem. While driving at night, my lights, windshield wipers, dash lights, heater fan have been getting brighter/faster for most of my drive home. My car keeps fluctuating between normal and over voltage for some odd reason. I'm assuming like you its the alernator going bad.

 

check belts

 

-i have a bad pully on my alt. 5min. after start up it starts making a light squeeking sound if i let my car sit the batt. light comes on very dim .. and as i rev. up it fades off.. its def. the alt.
-been like that for 2 years now...ill change it, if i come across any money.

 

Same problem here, humming noise at idle. Changed the belts, that helped for about a week and then it came back. I assume it's a pulley on the alternator, I have the same problems with lights dimming at idle. I'll live with it till I have cash or throw a belt.

 

Digger, you check the voltage coming out of the battery after startup? I know when my alt finally gave, my mechanic use a voltmeter on the battery terminals to see if it was the alt. Sure enough, the battery was at ~12.xx V when the car was on rather than ~14.xx V showing the alternator was working.

$160 for alt & installation Chris

 

my car is parked right now because my battery light and brake light are on all the time. I need to grab a new alternator but I don't have the funds right now accessable to fix it so I just will leave it parked for a week or so.

 

Brake light? You check your brake fluid or check if your emergency brake might be stuck?

 

No the brake light and battery light come on all the time now but when it first stared it only came on at an idol, then would go off, now it is on all the time. It is a bad alternator most likely. I just replaced and flushed the brakes a few months ago

 

160!!! OMG can u say... extortion!!

-80 bucks for the alt.
-25-30 min. for the install
thats brings it to a grand total of ahhh... (carry the 2 humm)...$80!

... i wonder how they justify the labor charges on that job. Thats like 160 an hour! if the guy can figure out how to remove/replace an altinator in 30 min.

 

I've seen some people post they've paid as much as $250 for the installation... now THAT'S extortion.

So... can't afford the $80 either?

 

I had the brake light problem too, but I was low on fluid. I know you said that you flushed the system recently, but it doesn't hurt to check.

As far as MY alternator problem (post #2). I checked the voltage tonight and when my lights kicked in and got brighter and I was reading 18.40 Volts. When they went back to normal I checked it again, but this time it was the normal 14.xx volts. So my voltage regulator is definately bad.

 

Yea, my friend (mechanic) checked it out and he said it was definitely the alternator. I am going to price one today and hopefully install it this weekend. I work at a dealership, so I have access to a lift. Is this very difficult for someone who has never installed an alternator before? I plan on replacing the belt as well. I will have help nearby if needed, but I like to do as much as I can to learn more about my car. Thanks for all the responses!

 

nope, cant afford that...
im trying to buy a ve5spd.. but the guy im dealing with can't get the title becuase its "theft recovery" and their trying to charge him or somthin.. so this is going to take forever.. i know it.. so untill then im just sitting on my money,