Belt squeak/chirp on 03

[FordMan77]

My '03 LX Sport has developed a consistent belt chirp recently. I removed the belt today and spun all the pulleys I could by hand. The only one that doesn't spin forever is the idler but it seems ok and doesn't feel rough. The belt itself does show some small cracks in it but nothing odd.

What I did notice is that the alternator makes brief squeak when I spin it and it has some bearing noise that I don't like. I noticed a few days ago when I started it up at night to move it that the IP, radio and HVAC backlights were pulsing at idle. My battery is good so that's not the issue.

Thinking the factory alt is starting to go after 232K miles. Other than an OEM Motorcraft alt is there anything better out there? Car is bone stock in the electrical dept. so I don't have worry about supporting a huge sound system or anything out of the ordinary.

[IPreferDIY]

Up here, there is a place that rebuilds alternators in a reputable way (instead of the presumably more common cheap way). I gave them the dead alt, and they put in quality parts and gave it a nice paint job at some point to boot (instead of swapping mine for some piece of crap, or doing a crap job on mine). I learned about them in the old-fashioned "word of mouth" way, and their conduct and results confirmed their seriousness. Maybe you could ask around for a place like that in your area (e.g. at auto shops that would farm out such work).

[87GrandMarq]

I had that happen on my old 98 p71 except when it happened all the interior lights wouldn’t work. I put a meter across the battery terminals and sure enough it read about 16 volts! I replaced the alternator and all was good.

To piggyback off what was already said, a local reputable shop would be the way to go. Rebuilt and remanufactured alternators for mod motors are hit or miss for whatever reason.


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[FordMan77]

Never thought of that, thank you. I'll talk with my local family shop of 37yrs. and see if there are any good rebuilders that they recommend. Ideally I'd like this one redone properly vs. fighting with a reman that could likely be junk.