Whining Alternator

EJ_3 · 01-23-2013, 03:44 PM

Recently, my alternator have started to whine at 2k rpm and the volume of the whine follows the rpm. From what I've read and heard is that it's the alternator clutch going out and it needs to be replace. Is there anyone out there that just replaced the clutch or do I have to replace the alternator as a whole? If so, where can I find the part? I've found the installation kit but not the clutch. Thanks in advance!

Update: Video!!!!

neilvosko · 01-23-2013, 09:40 PM

Subscribed, do you hear a whine 1500 to 2000 rpm?

EJ_3 · 01-23-2013, 10:16 PM

Yep, there where it starts to whine.

dragazn · 01-24-2013, 09:56 AM

any video or sound to show so we can all look out for?

JStang · 01-24-2013, 10:03 AM

Not saying this is the culprit but there was a whining noise coming from my fiancee's 328i that increased as the RPM's increased and it ended up being her rear diff going bad.

EJ_3 · 01-24-2013, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragazn

any video or sound to show so we can all look out for?

I'll record a video and post it when I get home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JStang

Not saying this is the culprit but there was a whining noise coming from my fiancee's 328i that increased as the RPM's increased and it ended up being her rear diff going bad.

It definitely coming from the alternator. I wish it was the diff, it'll make easier to justify a WaveTrac quicker to my wife, lol.

Tzu · 01-24-2013, 11:29 AM

The alternator contains an overrunning clutch (sprag type?) that allows it to spin freely as the engine winds down and only applies torque in one direction. I've seen a couple cases where they fail and make more of a ticking noise, but I suppose they could whine if they seize.

E3r2E9r · 01-24-2013, 04:30 PM

You sure it's not the power steering? They are notorious to fail more so then the alternator.

EJ_3 · 01-24-2013, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E3r2E9r

You sure it's not the power steering? They are notorious to fail more so then the alternator.

I'm 120% positive. Had friends to listen to it and an indy shop. Everyone quickly points to the alternator. It whines without the wheel turning.

neilvosko · 01-24-2013, 08:59 PM

i have the same issue and its annoying as hell, hate to change the alternator though.

Brian@MWP · 01-24-2013, 10:13 PM

If your looking for an option beside BMW oem replacement part, Bosch does sell repair kits. Not sure if they have kits for the new cars , but I have rebuilt a handful of E46 and E39 alternators.

EJ_3 · 01-25-2013, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragazn

any video or sound to show so we can all look out for?

Video just uploaded in first post.

dragazn · 01-25-2013, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manny_World

Video just uploaded in first post.

Interesting how many miles? i have a whining sound as well, but nothing like yours.

EJ_3 · 01-25-2013, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragazn

Interesting how many miles? i have a whining sound as well, but nothing like yours.

Just hit 76k, but it started at 75k being a hit or miss issue... now it's constant.

EJ_3 · 01-29-2013, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tzu

The alternator contains an overrunning clutch (sprag type?) that allows it to spin freely as the engine winds down and only applies torque in one direction. I've seen a couple cases where they fail and make more of a ticking noise, but I suppose they could whine if they seize.

Do you know of any places where I could buy just the overrunning clutch?

Weezy310 · 03-13-2013, 08:43 PM

My car is making this EXACT sound. Its so annoying. My 335i has 77k miles

. I also dont want to replace the alternator to get rid of the noise.

Have you changed it yet?

Randomaccess335 · 03-13-2013, 09:00 PM

Say it's diff and replace both at the same time
R
Also on one my mustangs I had upgraded output alt and it started to wine...... Turned out the long screws / bolts that hold it together loosened, tightened them up and it was gone. I haven't looked close at ours but might wanna check them

EJ_3 · 03-13-2013, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weezy310

My car is making this EXACT sound. Its so annoying. My 335i has 77k miles

. I also dont want to replace the alternator to get rid of the noise.

Have you changed it yet?

Haven't changed it. When I was about to, it stopped

. Either my exhaust drowning it out or I've gotten use to it. I'm going to a meet tonight, I'll open my hood and have someone give it some gas.

Rotorocious · 03-13-2013, 09:38 PM

I'm pretty sure this clutch you're talking about is built into the pulley. You can purchase the pulley separate but also need a removal tool. Ecstuning has a couple tools on their site.

If you only hear the whine through your radio then I think it's the internal alternator parts that need to be changed and replace the entire alternator.
It's it more of a screech ? Like metal on metal?

EJ_3 · 03-13-2013, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotorocious

I'm pretty sure this clutch you're talking about is built into the pulley. You can purchase the pulley separate but also need a removal tool. Ecstuning has a couple tools on their site.

If you only hear the whine through your radio then I think it's the internal alternator parts that need to be changed and replace the entire alternator.
It's it more of a screech ? Like metal on metal?

Definitely not coming through the radio. Sounds more like a screech. The sound starts in the video around 0:37 seconds. I saw the tool on a few sites, just not the clutch.

Rotorocious · 03-13-2013, 10:29 PM

I have a spare pulley , had to order it through tischerbmw since it has to come from Germany.its not a common part number.

Never put it on but I've got everything ready to do it.

EJ_3 · 03-14-2013, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weezy310

My car is making this EXACT sound. Its so annoying. My 335i has 77k miles

. I also dont want to replace the alternator to get rid of the noise. If you want to try to do the clutch instead of the full alternator swap, PM Rotorcious

Have you changed it yet?

Yep, mine stopped. Not sure what cause or cured it... but glad it did.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotorocious

I have a spare pulley , had to order it through tischerbmw since it has to come from Germany.its not a common part number.

Never put it on but I've got everything ready to do it.

01-23-2013, 03:44 PM	#1
EJ_3 Colonel 371 Rep 2,838 Posts Drives: e92 335i, e34 525i & e60 530i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: N Las Vegas iTrader: (13) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [8.34] 2016 Ram 1500 Sport [8.00] 1994 BMW 525i [10.00] 2007 BMW 530i [8.66]	Whining Alternator Recently, my alternator have started to whine at 2k rpm and the volume of the whine follows the rpm. From what I've read and heard is that it's the alternator clutch going out and it needs to be replace. Is there anyone out there that just replaced the clutch or do I have to replace the alternator as a whole? If so, where can I find the part? I've found the installation kit but not the clutch. Thanks in advance! Update: Video!!!! __________________ click here for mods Last edited by EJ_3; 01-25-2013 at 05:55 PM.. Reason: Video uploaded
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01-23-2013, 09:40 PM	#2
neilvosko Lieutenant Colonel 89 Rep 1,529 Posts Drives: 335i e92 FBO Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: miami iTrader: (19)	Subscribed, do you hear a whine 1500 to 2000 rpm?
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01-23-2013, 10:16 PM	#3
EJ_3 Colonel 371 Rep 2,838 Posts Drives: e92 335i, e34 525i & e60 530i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: N Las Vegas iTrader: (13) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [8.34] 2016 Ram 1500 Sport [8.00] 1994 BMW 525i [10.00] 2007 BMW 530i [8.66]	Yep, there where it starts to whine. __________________ click here for mods
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01-24-2013, 09:56 AM	#4
dragazn Major 43 Rep 1,071 Posts Drives: i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: "" iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [5.76]	any video or sound to show so we can all look out for?
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01-24-2013, 10:03 AM	#5
JStang Brigadier General 562 Rep 3,625 Posts Drives: FDB M3 CS Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: St. Petersburg, FL iTrader: (9)	Not saying this is the culprit but there was a whining noise coming from my fiancee's 328i that increased as the RPM's increased and it ended up being her rear diff going bad.
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01-24-2013, 11:29 AM	#7
Tzu Lieutenant Colonel 29 Rep 1,551 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	The alternator contains an overrunning clutch (sprag type?) that allows it to spin freely as the engine winds down and only applies torque in one direction. I've seen a couple cases where they fail and make more of a ticking noise, but I suppose they could whine if they seize.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2013, 04:30 PM	#8
E3r2E9r Banned 7 Rep 419 Posts Drives: 3 Series Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NE iTrader: (0)	You sure it's not the power steering? They are notorious to fail more so then the alternator.
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01-24-2013, 08:59 PM	#10
neilvosko Lieutenant Colonel 89 Rep 1,529 Posts Drives: 335i e92 FBO Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: miami iTrader: (19)	i have the same issue and its annoying as hell, hate to change the alternator though.
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01-24-2013, 10:13 PM	#11
Brian@MWP Private 6 Rep 90 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	If your looking for an option beside BMW oem replacement part, Bosch does sell repair kits. Not sure if they have kits for the new cars , but I have rebuilt a handful of E46 and E39 alternators.
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03-13-2013, 08:43 PM	#16
Weezy310 Private 3 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	My car is making this EXACT sound. Its so annoying. My 335i has 77k miles . I also dont want to replace the alternator to get rid of the noise. Have you changed it yet?
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03-13-2013, 09:00 PM	#17
Randomaccess335 Captain 69 Rep 868 Posts Drives: 07' 335I Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: boynton beach, Fl iTrader: (11)	Say it's diff and replace both at the same time R Also on one my mustangs I had upgraded output alt and it started to wine...... Turned out the long screws / bolts that hold it together loosened, tightened them up and it was gone. I haven't looked close at ours but might wanna check them __________________ JB4 G5 ISO , AR DP's, DO Meth kit Trunk Mount, ETS 5" Intercooler, M6 Rims, ER Charge Pipe, Fordged DV's, MMp relocated inlets, Ebay 4" chrome Tips, Lux Angel Eyes ********11.910 @ 117.091.851 60'*********
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03-13-2013, 09:38 PM	#19
Rotorocious Lieutenant Colonel 103 Rep 1,520 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: May 2010 Location: Colorado iTrader: (3)	I'm pretty sure this clutch you're talking about is built into the pulley. You can purchase the pulley separate but also need a removal tool. Ecstuning has a couple tools on their site. If you only hear the whine through your radio then I think it's the internal alternator parts that need to be changed and replace the entire alternator. It's it more of a screech ? Like metal on metal?
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03-13-2013, 10:29 PM	#21
Rotorocious Lieutenant Colonel 103 Rep 1,520 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: May 2010 Location: Colorado iTrader: (3)	I have a spare pulley , had to order it through tischerbmw since it has to come from Germany.its not a common part number. Never put it on but I've got everything ready to do it.
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