This video is the noise that's been driving me crazy for the past few months.

It sounds like it's definitely the alternator, but my teacher thought it was the p/s pump. I'm imagining it's not because the noise doesn't change when you turn the wheels back and fourth, and the p/s fluid level remains the same.

The noise is clearly coming from the left lower area where all the pulleys are, and you can hear the noise distinctly.

Welp, here's the video

http://s605.photobucket.com/albums/t...t=IMG_0553.mp4

 

Sounds like power steering to me. It may be internally bypassing or there may be contaminants in the fluid. Try flushing the PS fluid and put in at least a quart of the Lucas PS Quiet in with the new fluid.

 

DEFINITELY power steering

 

Yikes! I've never heard an alternator make that noise. They grind and scrape, not... whirr and whatever the heck that was. Third'd for power steering.

 

Indeed properly diagnosed as power steering. But I also found out that there's a whine coming on top of that from the alternator. Now I get to replace both.

Ohhh maximas

 

Did you hear/see the alternator making this "whine"? Sure it isnt a squeal (tell tale signs of a loose belt)? Mechanic may be trying to get one over on you...

 

Buy this (about $5 at your local HF store), then you will know for sure. It is a great tool. If the noise is coming from alternator, you can also check the charging voltage. Turn on all electrical loads and see if the charging voltage stays above the battery voltage.